The Science & Technology Group

Organising committee:  Tanya Dempster, Paul McKay, Bill Devitt, Kurt and Lynda Kovach - science@ashbyu3a.co.uk -

This group is for both people who have a general interest in science as well as those whose careers have been in this area. We meet monthly with talks given mainly by members on a mixture of science/ engineering topics, some science news, information about famous scientists, good YouTube ideas and even the occasional practical activity.

We normally meet in the main hall at Packington Village Hall, High Street, Packington LE65 1WJ on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2pm.
Parking is limited, so please try to car-share if possible.

Tuesday 9th June.

'Technology in the theatre' by Kit Lane

Kit Lane gave a fascinating talk on the Performing Arts and technological effects used in theatre and music productions, with many demonstrations.

He started his career as a computer science graduate and later did a degree in performing arts and theatre in London. In 2006 he became a lecturer at Derby University with responsibility for a number of related degree courses. The list of special effects used in theatre and music production is enormous. His first major topic was lighting, and he had brought several examples to illustrate this topic. Lighting is now powered by LEDs which produce more light per watt. He outlined how they could mix colours to achieve a particular effect and how productions could scroll through different colour mixes, as well as moving colours across the stage. There was even special software to control light shows. Kit had worked on several famous national and international shows and also the TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

We then moved onto sound which is governed by WHO Global Standard for safe listening. The safe limit for sound is 100 decibels, and it’s essential the sound engineers do not exceed this. Sound engineers often have to coordinate the sound from 30 or more actors who are singing in a production as they come in and out of the melody. If they leave the stage their microphone must be switched off in case they make any embarrassing remarks off stage!

There is even a system for projecting sound to move across the stage. This could simulate the sound of a helicopter taking off and flying overhead for example. Kit stressed that expertise in computers and networks was essential for the production of these special effects nowadays.

He explained the mechanics of raising actors in the air using counterweights and the many moving platforms that theatres use to change stage sets and scenery quickly.

Next we looked at particular special effects, such as smoke, fog and mist. Theatres use water and glycol mixes to achieve this, but they would also sometimes use Dry Ice (-80 degrees C) and even liquid nitrogen (-198 degrees C).

Sometimes special flame effects are required, projecting flames as high as 40m in the air. They could even create a water scene with a boat floating in 30 tons of water, although the stage had to be specially strengthened on this occasion.

Lastly we looked at lasers which were used extensively by music shows. He was even able to demonstrate many amazing special effects including the double slit effect which is a feature of quantum mechanics.

Kit’s talk was incredibly detailed and entertaining; covering so many of the features used in theatre productions. Now when we go to the theatre or a music event we’ll know so much more about what is happening behind the scenes.

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