White Light Creates The Glow Of 1890s Paris For CHAT NOIR!

When it comes to creating unforgettable immersive experiences, The Lost Estate is at the forefront of transporting audiences into lost worlds of magical music and immersive dining. Past productions include Paradise Under the Stars, which took audiences to 1950s Cuba; 58th Street, immersing guests in 1930s New York; and The Great Christmas Feast, inviting audiences into the home of Charles Dickens on Christmas Eve, 1843.

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Their brand‑new experience now transports audiences to 1890s Paris, inside the legendary night‑club Le Chat Noir, a lost world of glittering cabaret performance, bohemian pleasures, vintage cuisine and live music. To bring CHAT NOIR! to life, writer and director Will Kunhardt approached lighting designer Mike Gunning to shape the visual language of the show. Having worked with The Lost Estate for many years, White Light (WL) was once again proud to supply the lighting rig for this extraordinary production.

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From the earliest conversations, lighting was treated not as spectacle, but as a vital storytelling tool. “When Will Kunhardt approached me with the premise of the show, it felt like something that could be clearly and visually expressed,” says Gunning. “There was a real opportunity to collaborate and create something unique.”

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The creative vision was twofold: to root the audience firmly in the time and place of 19th‑century Paris, while also embracing the variety and energy of cabaret performance unfolding throughout the space. “I wanted the light to feel soft, almost like looking at an old photograph,” he explains, ensuring the environment felt authentic, intimate and lived‑in.

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Immersive theatre presents a very different set of challenges from traditional venue‑based productions. CHAT NOIR! unfolds in a site‑specific environment where audiences are both observers and active participants, surrounded by performance on all sides.

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“The audience fills the space, and the performers move through them,” says Gunning. “So, you have to be constantly aware of sightlines, proximity and comfort, while still delivering atmosphere and clarity.”

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Low ceilings, limited rigging positions, and the need to light performers dynamically without blinding audiences demanded a flexible and responsive technical solution. Reliability was also critical for a show running repeatedly, night after night, in close proximity to its audience.

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The lighting system combined low‑voltage LED and incandescent practicals, integrated throughout the set and controlled via encoders, to reinforce the period aesthetic. Fresnels and PCs provided soft, sculptural washes, while Ayrton Diablos introduced subtle movement and texture where required.

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A key technical element was the use of zactrack, enabling performers to be followed seamlessly as they move through the multi‑arched space. Martin MAC Auras formed the backbone of this system, ensuring the lighting could breathe with the performance rather than feeling programmed or static.

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“In collaboration with my programmer Tom Davis, zactrack was the biggest unknown,” Gunning notes. “Understanding how many anchors and trackers were needed in such a complex space was something I completely relied on my team’s expertise for.”

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WL’s role went beyond supplying equipment. With a long‑standing relationship with The Lost Estate and an intimate knowledge of the venue, the team provided invaluable insight throughout the design process. “WL’s understanding of what works in that space helped me decide on the right tools to achieve the look I wanted,” says Gunning. “That knowledge made a real difference to the final outcome.”

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The project was delivered in close collaboration with Show Works Ltd and the Lost Estate Head of Lighting Benjamin Vetluzhskikh, underscoring the collective effort behind the experience.

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Eddy Hackett, Co-founder and Executive Producer of The Lost Estate, comments: “With CHAT NOIR!, we set out not simply to recreate a space, but to revive a moment in time, capturing the energy, the creative spirit and the sense of possibility that defined bohemian Paris. Every element, from performance to design, works together to dissolve the boundary between audience and story. Our collaboration with partners like WL has been instrumental in achieving that level of immersion. Working closely with Mike Gunning and Tom Davis, we’ve developed a truly collaborative process with a shared commitment to authenticity, particularly in shaping a lighting design that feels true to the period.”
WL’s Head of Lighting, Dominic Yates, comments: “As audiences continue to discover CHAT NOIR!, we are proud to have supplied the lighting rig for this fantastic production, which places storytelling and collaboration at its core. It was great working with Mike, Tom, Callum and Ben to build such a transportive experience.”

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Opening to rave reviews, CHAT NOIR! continues to immerse audiences in a hedonistic night of bohemian Paris, where music, performance and atmosphere collide.

LX Team Credits
Lighting Designer: Mike Gunning
Lighting Programmer: Tom Davis
The Lost Estate Head of Lighting: Benjamin Vetluzhskikh
Show Works Project Manager: Callum Moore
Show Works Production LX: Rhys Barratt

About White Light
White Light, a d&b solutions company, is your trusted lighting specialist operating in a range of markets including performing arts, music, leisure, education, and trade. Since 1971, we have built a strong reputation for delivering lighting sales & hire projects of all sizes across the UK, Europe, and globally.

We take pride in maintaining a client-centric approach and upholding the high standards of quality that have driven our success. Our commitment extends beyond technical excellence. We value the wellbeing of our employees and customers while fostering sustainability.

As a B Corp certified company with ISO 14001 and albert accreditations, we actively promote environmentally responsible practices at both corporate and individual levels.

Photo Credit: The Lost Estate