The leading lights of the entertainment production industry descended on London’s famous Eventim Apollo on Sunday night, where the winners of the 2018 Knight of Illumination Awards were announced.
A record number of people attended the glittering ceremony this year, which brings together entertainment technology professionals from around the world. The Knight of Illumination Awards celebrate the achievements of lighting and video designers working in the fields of Theatre, Television and Concert Touring & Events.
This, the eleventh Knight of Illumination Awards, saw more nominations than ever before, with the winners in each category chosen by a wholly independent panel of judges, all experts in their respective sectors.
The winners of the 2018 Knight of Illumination Awards are as follows:
Theatre
- The PRG Award for Projection Design: CHOU Tung-Yen & Very Mainstream Studio for Formosa, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Sadler’s Wells
- The ETC Award for Dance: David Plater for The Suit, Ballet Black
- The ADB Award for Plays: Jack Knowles for Barber Shop Chronicles, National Theatre
- The Robert Juliat Award for Opera: Fabiana Piccioli for Eugene Onegin, Scottish Opera
- The Hawthorn Award for Musicals: Paule Constable for Follies, National Theatre
Television
- The Light Initiative Award for Events: Andy Stagles for The MOBO Awards 2017
- The Altman Lighting Award for Small Production: Andy Stagles for Songs of Praise
- The Green Hippo Award for Video Design and Graphic Display: Kate Dawkins for WW1 Remembered: Passchendaele
- The SLX Award for Light Entertainment: Dave Davey for The Voice Final
- The Philips Strand Lighting Award for Drama: Martin Kempton for Upstart Crow, series 2
- The Ayrton Award for Contribution to Television Lighting: Steve Wells
Concert Touring & Events
- The MA Lighting Award for Club: Tom Campbell for Nick Mulvey
- The disguise Award for Video Content: Tom Colbourne, William Baker and Rupa Rathod with Blink for The Killers
- The Avolites Award for Stage: Rob Sinclair for David Byrne
- The HSL Award for Events: Gerry Mott for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2017
- The GLP German Light Products Award for Arena: Cate Carter & Mike Smith for Elbow
- Enrico Caironi Lifetime Recognition Award
Each year, the Enrico Caironi Lifetime Recognition Award, named in fond memory of the co-founder of The Knight of Illumination Awards, is presented to an individual to honour their outstanding accomplishments.
This year’s recipient was Keith Benson, in recognition of his exemplary 44 years with Glyndebourne opera and his work as production electrician on a range of big-name shows including the original Cats, Les Misérables, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard and Crazy for You. He has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, toured with Dame Shirley Bassey and supported many world respected lighting designers with creativity and generosity. Many of those who have worked alongside Keith cite his support as a major contributor to their career.
All the night’s winners were presented with the coveted trophy of the Knight of Illumination Awards, the ornate broadsword. In addition, each was given a more portable sword in the form of a pin badge to signal the designers’ achievements and their right to be recognised as masters of their craft.
The Headline Sponsors of KOI 2018 were Claypaky and Osram. In his welcome speech, Pio Nahum, CEO of Claypaky, said: “Congratulations to all of tonight’s shortlisted and winning designers. KOI began because we wanted to celebrate lighting designers and their mastery of the art of light, regardless of the tools they use. We should never mistake: when lighting moves our emotions, it is because of their skill, not because of technology.”
The evening was skilfully compered by renowned lighting designer and KOI co-founder, Durham Marenghi and included mind-bending entertainment from mentalist magician Chris Cox.
The occasion also launched The Knight of Illumination Awards USA, which makes its debut in Las Vegas on 20 October, to coincide with the LDI trade show.