60 Seconds with Vince Herbert

1.) What does your role at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre involve?

"I'm Head of Lighting for the Royal Shakespeare Company. This involves coordinating lighting teams at the Royal Shakespeare Theatres worldwide, including Stratford-upon-Avon, Manchester and New York."

2.) Why did you choose Stage Electrics as you systems integrator?

"There was a tender process for the project and Stage Electrics won - we were pleased Stage Electrics tendered for the project as we've had a great experience working with them in the past. They successfully carried out two past installation projects with me: firstly at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester in 1996 and then for the RSC at the Courtyard Theatre in 2007."

3.) What has been the most rewarding part of this project for you?

"I think it must be working with a team that was so easy to collaborate with and one that was open to so many new ideas. This meant that the project was able to integrate and make the most of so much new technology."

4.) What is your most invaluable (innovative or unusual) piece of equipment you use in your work?

"Definitely the new lighting cluster system. This solves so many health and safety issues and even after this short time it is proving to be highly successful. It means lights can be easily changed by moving the rig up and down, eliminating most working at height issues."

5.) What is the most innovative idea you have come across in the project?

"It's hard to choose, there have been so many! If I have to choose one though it must be the way the whole lighting system works together, especially the remote and fixed dimmers and the way the network has been configured. The design and use of innovative equipment means the lighting infrastructure has been designed to be future proof for technicians and lighting designers yet to come."

6.) What has been your favourite memory from the renovations of the RST?

"Having a glass of red wine in the bar once the project was completed, with the rest of the team responsible for the truly remarkable transformation."