Pontio Arts, Bangor University's Arts Centre, has completed a major upgrade to its theatre and studio lighting systems, marking a decisive shift toward a more sustainable and future focused technical infrastructure. In partnership with White Light (WL), and funded by the Welsh Government through the Arts Council of Wales with match funding by Bangor University, the centre has replaced the majority of its traditional tungsten fixtures with energy efficient LED solutions, supporting lower power consumption, reduced maintenance time, and expanded creative possibilities for artists and visiting companies.
For Technical Director Gwion E Llwyd, who has been leading Pontio's technical operations since 2013, the project represents both a practical improvement and a long-term strategic investment. "Our biggest driver was sustainability, and moving away from traditional tungsten towards a more energy efficient, flexible lighting system," he explains. "LED technology has advanced so much that early limitations are no longer barriers. The fixtures we've selected offer the quality, reliability, and control we need, without compromise."
Pontio is a uniquely versatile receiving house, presenting everything from ballet and contemporary dance to orchestral performances, youth theatre, musical theatre, televised work, and even large-scale circus productions made possible by the venue's extensive rigging capabilities. Because the theatre routinely transitions between a 500seat auditorium, a flat floor configuration, and gig or cabaret layouts, its lighting infrastructure must support rapid, efficient changeovers.
The new LED rig provides exactly that. With instant colour changes, faster programming, and greater versatility, the upgrade allows the technical team to move more efficiently between back-to-back productions, often within the same day. For Gwion, the improvement is already tangible. "We work to incredibly tight schedules," he says. "The ability to adjust colour and mood quickly, without re-gelling or re-rigging, gives us far more flexibility. It means we can do more, faster, with the same team."
The upgrade was supported by funding from the Welsh Government through the Arts Council of Wales with match funding by Bangor University. Pontio adopted a phased approach: fully converting its studio spaces to LED and upgrading the majority of the theatre's fixtures, with front of house lighting earmarked for the next stage. The new rig is built around Elation KL Fresnels and KL Mini Profiles, with ETC control for ease of use. Pontio's in-house team carried out the full installation, including adding new DMX universes to accommodate multichannel LED fixtures.
White Light's Business Development Manager Paul Botham worked closely with Pontio throughout the process, facilitating onsite demonstrations and providing technical guidance.
"It's been fantastic working with Gwion and the entire Pontio team," Paul says. "Their passion for delivering high quality productions and their commitment to sustainability made this a truly collaborative process. Being able to demo the fixtures directly in their space meant we could explore solutions together, ensuring the final system genuinely supports their artistic and operational needs. We're incredibly proud to play a part in their journey toward a more flexible and environmentally responsible future."
Pontio is now among a small but growing number of North Wales venues operating predominantly LED stage lighting, joining Venue Cymru, which also upgraded through WL. This consistency across regional venues offers touring companies greater confidence, smoother get-ins, and a more sustainable touring model overall.
Although the upgrade is recent, the benefits are already clear. The theatre runs cooler, power consumption is dramatically reduced, and visiting companies have responded positively to the quality and reliability of the new fixtures. With a programme that is already diverse and extremely busy, Pontio is now better equipped to maintain its pace, support its community of artists, and continue shaping world class experiences for audiences across Wales.
Photo courtesy of Pontio Arts