Notes from a conversation with Hartley TA Kemp on 26 September 2002

Cue changes
Hartley has created over 200 cues (changes in lighting effect) throughout the whole show, but there are only 12 cue changes in Act 3 scene 2. Over 60 lights are used to create the lighting effects for this scene. Parcans and 5k lights are used to shape the stage, and profiles are used for system cover and to ensure faces are lit. Lights will always change when the scene changes to indicate the characters' real time transition to another part of the island.

Colours
The lamps are coloured using different coloured gels. The colours Hartley has chosen are linked to the summer: reds, pinks and oranges, and greens and blues for the sea. The stage is covered by a washed out diffuse blueish light whilst hot ‘sun’ from a 5k covers this blue so it is only visible at the edges of the stage.

Lights follow mood and action
Lights always follow the mood of the scene, heightening or reflecting mood, so in this scene Hartley explains that there are three different types of lighting changes:

1. The major change to lighting happens when Ariel enters the scene - a pink light indicates the introduction of magic.
2. There are many changes to the lights as the scene builds towards the characters' exit down the vom stage right.
3. Otherwise, lighting changes to follow the mood (for example the lights get brighter when the scene gets funnier - this provokes laughter from the audience), to follow the blocking and make sure that the actors can all be seen by the whole audience.

These are some examples of when the lights change within this scene:

• When Ariel enters – more light is brought up, and a mood change (magic) indicated by pink 5 k.
• When Trinculo speaks after Ariel has come in – lights become brighter on all their faces to indicate comedy
• When Caliban is explaining the plot against Prospero – lights become a little darker and more menacing, but this is a cue that fades up very slowly.
• The lights gradually build up stage so that they are ready for the start of the singing, which takes place in the up stage area.
• Haze is boosted throughout the scene, ready for the magic during 'flout em and cout em'.
• Normal light is used when song starts, then as Ariel starts singing, pink light is added. More colour is added which give the impression of an unrealistic type of light, to reflect the magic.
• As the action continues and Stephano, Trinculo and Caliban follow the spirits off, the sun becomes muted and more pink is added from stage right showing the unreal nature of the scene taking over. A residue of pink remains on stage whilst there is still magic and music in the air.

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