Brompton Technology Lights Up Dystopian Theatre Experience in London

Brompton Technology’s Tessera LED video processors are playing a pivotal role in the immersive theatre production “Oscar At The Crown,” currently running in a transformed basement venue beneath London’s Tottenham Court Road. The play, set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by climate change, follows a group of individuals exiled for their libertarian views. They seek refuge in a disused underground bunker, once a bar, where they engage in nightly musical performances inspired by the works of Oscar Wilde.

The production features a stunning 10-meter by 2-meter INFiLED AR series LED wall, boasting a pixel pitch of 2.97mm. This centerpiece, concealed behind a two-way mirror, dramatically reveals itself during crucial moments of the show. The technical setup, including the Brompton 4K Tessera SX40 LED video processor and a Tessera XD 10G data distribution unit, was supplied and supported by Stage Sound Services.

Innovative Storytelling and Visuals

The narrative takes an intriguing turn with a focus on Julie Cooper from “The OC,” a character who the protagonists believe anticipated humanity’s downfall through social media. This storyline culminates in a spectacular nine-minute musical number that transforms the concealed LED wall into what Nina Dunn, video and projection designer and creative director at PixelLux, describes as “a ballistic stained-glass window.”

The venue itself, a former storage space, has been creatively reimagined into multiple performance areas that include a half tube carriage, banks of TV screens, a bar, stage, and DJ booth. The LED wall serves dual purposes: it not only extends the set, transporting the audience beyond the physical constraints of the venue but also creates a vast canvas for the characters’ imaginative expressions. The content shown includes environments generated by Unreal Engine, which echo the physical space, alongside live camera feeds captured by three PTZ cameras focused on the performers.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

The production demands exceptional colour accuracy and intensity, a challenge heightened by the two-way mirror’s placement, which adds a brown tint and dims the display. Dunn emphasizes the importance of colour and image intensity, stating, “I always ride the processor really, really high, and then dim down the content so that if we do need that pinprick sparkle, we can really get it.” The intuitive interface of the Tessera SX40 proved essential for making quick adjustments during the demanding production schedule.

To overcome the optical barriers presented by the two-way mirror, Dunn and the PixelLux team utilized the Tessera’s Overdrive function, which allowed them to maintain colour fidelity while enhancing the visual output. “We found the Overdrive button and hit it to make it push through,” Dunn added, noting the critical nature of reliable technology that can be easily managed by in-house teams.

The production blends a lively club atmosphere with compelling narrative storytelling. The LED screen displays live feeds, allowing audience members at the bar to engage with the performance. It also showcases graphics for post-show DJ sets and animated content synchronized with the performers’ movements. Dunn highlights the rapid delivery of information in the show: “One of the roles of video was to try and support the speed of information delivery because the whole show is about media overload.”

The Tessera SX40 effectively manages this swift content delivery while ensuring consistent visual quality across various input sources and output formats. Each evening concludes with the production seamlessly transitioning from a theatrical performance into an actual club night, enhancing the dance floor experience with the LED technology.

Dunn concludes by praising the workflow efficiency: “What was also amazing, just as a workflow thing, is being able to send content upstream and knowing that it will reach the processor reliably. The signal path felt really true to what we were outputting, especially when you’re trying to match costume and lighting states.”

“Oscar At The Crown” is a unique fusion of entertainment, combining the energy of a club night with heartfelt storytelling. Thanks to Brompton’s LED processing capabilities, this innovative production maintains a high standard of visual quality throughout its diverse performance moments, captivating audiences in London with its blend of theatre and nightlife.