ADLIB SUPPORTS BARBICAN’S TRANSITION TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT LED PRODUCTION LIGHTING

September 2026, London, UK:  The Barbican is investing in a major transition to energy-efficient LED production lighting, and is working with Adlib to prepare and supply a comprehensive new lighting package as part of the venue’s wider refurbishment programme.

The investment represents an important step in modernising the Barbican’s Theatre venues production lighting infrastructure while supporting its long-term sustainability objectives. Replacing ageing tungsten fixtures, including fresnels and profile luminaires, the new LED specification has been designed to meet the technical requirements of today’s touring productions, visiting production companies, conferences and live events.

Initially specified by the theatre’s in-house lighting team, the package includes a broad range of fixture types, from fresnels and profiles to wash fixtures and shuttering moving lights. The combination provides the flexibility required to support the venue’s diverse programme while delivering significant operational efficiencies. The package has over 260 fixtures consisting of ETC Source Four LED Series 3 along with a variety of lens; ETC ColorSource Fresnel V, ColorSource Fresnel V Max, Lonestar Prime, Martin Professional ELP Manet 8F, MAC Viper XIP, MAC Aura XIP, Mac Aura Raven XIP and GLP Wildbar 16’s. All fixtures have been supplied with relevant hanging & mounting accessories.

Unlike traditional tungsten systems, the new LED fixtures offer extensive colour mixing capabilities through onboard controls, reducing the need for external colour filters and helping minimise consumable waste generated during productions. The transition will also reduce power consumption and heat output, contributing to lower operating costs and supporting the venue’s environmental ambitions over time.

Stevie Porter, Technical Manager (HOD Lighting), Theatre and Dance at Barbican Theatre comments, "The Barbican is investing in a major transition to energy-efficient LED production lighting for its Theatre and Pit Theatre and is working with Adlib to prepare and supply a comprehensive new lighting package as part of the venue’s wider refurbishment programme."

The fixture specification draws on products from leading manufacturers ETC, Martin Professional and GLP, selected for both their technical performance and environmental credentials. All fixtures supplied are LED-based, delivering substantial energy savings compared with legacy tungsten and halogen technology.

ETC’s Lonestar Prime brings a 17,000-lumen output to a compact, IP54 framing fixture which is twenty percent brighter than the original Lonestar, with enhanced colour rendering via CMY and CTO mixing. The result is high, sustained brightness without sacrificing colour fidelity. With the fixtures being IP54, rather than IP65, this ensure the Gobos can be swapped with ease, if required along with a simpler maintenance schedule.

Additional fixtures within the package further contribute to reduced energy demand across the venue’s lighting infrastructure. Martin's first-ever static LED Fresnel, the ELP MANET 8f delivers over 13,000 lumens from its 8-inch lens, the kind of punch traditionally associated with a large tungsten Fresnel, but with modern LED efficiency; Its six-colour (RGB + amber, lime and cyan) engine achieves true-to-life colour not seen in a fixture this size before. The GLP WildBar 16’s 4°–44° zoom with a motorised 200° tilt, means an amazing sharp parallel light curtain such as use for a cyc, to a broad, even wash or effect in a single fixture, with leading colour rendering in this type of product.  

Alongside the lighting fixtures, Adlib also supplied custom flight cases to support equipment protection, handling and long-term asset management.

ETC Associate Regional Manager Matt Cowles said: “We’re really pleased to see ETC fixtures being used on this project at the Barbican. It’s always great to work alongside partners like Adlib, whose experience and expertise play such an important role in bringing projects like this to life. Their insight in the field helps us continue to develop the right solutions for venues and their evolving needs."

As venues across the entertainment sector continue to modernise their technical systems, LED technology has become increasingly important in balancing performance requirements with sustainability objectives. In addition to reducing energy consumption, LED fixtures offer longer operational lifespans, lower maintenance requirements and greater creative flexibility for lighting designers.

Adlib was selected to prepare and supply the lighting package, drawing on its extensive experience supporting major arts venues and longstanding relationships with leading manufacturers across the live events industry. From specification support and equipment procurement through to quality control, testing, documentation and logistics, Adlib worked closely with the theatre team to ensure equipment preparation and delivery aligned with project timelines.

Joe Sunley-Smith, Adlib said: “We’re delighted to support the Barbican as it continues to invest in the future of its production facilities. This project demonstrates how venues can enhance technical capabilities while also making meaningful progress towards their sustainability objectives.”

The Barbican is internationally recognised for its architecture and production heritage. With seating for 1,154 guests and no seat located more than 20 metres from the stage, the venue combines an intimate audience experience with the technical capabilities required by world-class productions, conferences and special events.

For more information about Adlib see https://www.adlib.co.uk

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