Bracknell, UK. October 2024 – Panasonic Connect Europe donated leading 1-Chip DLP™ laser projectors to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to help stage its summer production and train the next generation of theatre professionals. The production – the satirical comedy musical “Urinetown” by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis – took place in RADA’s largest venue, London’s Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, featuring a crew composed entirely of students from the Technical Theatre and Stage Management FdA and BA courses, alongside a cast of final-year BA Acting students.
Panasonic projectors were used to bring Director Nona Shepphard’s vision to life, evoking an atmosphere of a hot, industrial, sweaty, dirty and polluted dystopia in a world where water supplies have run dry. The video backdrop utilised two Panasonic 1-Chip DLP™ laser projectors to create a larger image across the cyclorama, bringing the fantastical world to life in front of the audiences’ eyes. Additionally, a central flown window utilised a Panasonic 1-Chip DLP™ laser projector with an ultra-short throw lens. The lens enables the projector to be positioned very close to the screen, without casting shadows or distracting the actors with bright light.
Matt Leventhall, Head of Lighting at RADA, added, “It’s wonderful when we’re able to meaningfully integrate video and digital design into our work at RADA. It’s relationships like the one with Panasonic that mean we are able to keep our training up-to-date by exposing our students to the methodologies and technologies that they will find at the highest echelons of the entertainment business.”
Lucy Meredith, Field Marketing Manager, at Panasonic Connect Europe, added: “The possibilities for new and imaginative set and scenery design are advancing incredibly quickly thanks to the latest Panasonic projectors. This donation allows the next generation of theatre professionals to become familiar with the latest technology and its capabilities. The only limits are the imagination.”
About RADA
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) offers world-leading training in the dramatic and production arts. For over a century RADA has been a centre of excellence transforming the next generation of talent. We train some of the most distinguished actors, stage managers, and technicians in the industry. Building on 120 years of experience, RADA is working together to build an academy for the future which will develop the potential of the most talented people, nurturing curious, articulate and socially conscious theatre practitioners who will be change makers and future leaders. Our training nurtures creative expression, empowers individuals and seeks to influence positive change in the creative industries and wider community.
About the Panasonic Group
Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 54.12 billion (8,496.4 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/
About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH
Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Hiroyuki Nishiuma, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.
Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consists of the following business divisions:
- TheMobile Solutions Business Division helps mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
- TheMedia Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offers a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offers Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
- Business and Industry Solutionsdelivers tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing, using its unique Gemba Process Innovation approach. Its purpose is to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
- Panasonic Factory Solutions Europeis helping to make smart factories a reality with its wide range of automated solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.
For more information please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com
Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/