Robe lighting returned to live exhibition shows with a new live production, CUETE & The Beast, created exclusively for the Prolight + Sound 2022 expo, presented in Frankfurt, Germany.
CUETE & The Beast riffed on Robe’s recently launched CUETE moving light – with the CUETE being Belle and the FORTE playing The Beast – bringing a taste of West End glamour to Frankfurt, complete with elaborate costumes and a pumping soundtrack.
It was performed in-the-round by a talented cast of three dancers and singers supported by around 200 of Robe’s newest LED fixtures, picked, placed and programmed to show off their most impressive creative features.
The show featured FORTES, CUETEs, LEDBeam 350s, PAINTEs TetraXs, Tetra2s, iBeam250s, T1s running with RoboSpot systems, T2s, T11s and Divine UVs – which highlighted special FX, gobos, beamwork, shutting, zooming, intensity, Robe’s renowned colour mixing, etc., as well as the continuity between all product lines and of course the amazing key lighting abilities of these luminaires.
“The ultimate goal was to show off the products in a theatrical-style environment with an uplifting and positive vibe and the narrative was designed around the kit we wanted to highlight,” commented Nathan Wan, Robe’s lead creative.
Andy Webb added that the in-the-round design and eight-metre diameter raised stage was chosen for viewing angles – when the space and show was originally designed the covid regulations were also very fluid – and because it allowed everyone an optimal view wherever they were sitting or standing. This also maximised photo opps and Insta moments as the show was a massive draw for visitors.
At the end, all the lights all took their own bows so audiences could appreciate the contributions each had made to this lively, up-tempo production, which was produced – from the storyboarding to the choreography – by Robe’s in-house team.
Robe made a strong statement with the show, with an impressive booth design as well as showcasing PAINTE, TetraX, iBeam 250, Spikie+ and the Anolis Calumma lighting fixtures as well as the brand-new FORTE, CUETE, LEDBeam 350, T2 and T11 units.
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Robe CEO, Josef Valchar commented: “Given the past two years with the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn’t have any specific expectations for Prolight + Sound this year, however, the response has been extremely positive with a very busy booth every day that’s been a good hub for communication and generating great vibes.”
He noted that Robe’s live show was crafted specifically to illustrate how the different types of fixtures can be utilised, showing the product functionality and why they have been developed in a “real setting” that is new, fresh and so much more dynamic than a black box environment.
“The industry is moving forward again in all ways, and of course, we all fully appreciate being able to meet up in person again here!” Valchar added. “It was a pleasant surprise just how many leading designers and production people came from all over Europe to say hello.”
Two demo rooms, one private and one public, were constantly in action and helped keep the booth packed with people and interest for all four days of the expo.
Robe International Marketing Manager, Pavel Nemec stated: “Opening the door to the hall and getting onto the booth was like coming back through the door to your house or apartment after being away! It was a special ‘homecoming’ feeling!”
A full Robe international team were on the stand with staff from all over Europe, the US, Latin America, UK, Asia as well as Robe Germany’s NRG (Next Robe Generation) students.
Robe also revealed some other surprises during the expo, like inventive new tools to help the brand connect with its community, investors and end users offering more opportunities for all to learn first-hand and in-person about the products and their potential.
While the Robe on The Road show truck – a 45ft artic truck / trailer rig – was parked outside. This is a fully kitted out and expandable mobile showroom, studio and meeting facility – complete with roof deck, which will be tearing up European asphalt.
The trailer has specially designed roller shutter doors that open to reveal the rig – up to 50 fixtures, which is fully configurable to suit the event / demo / location – and a black box tent extension is rigged on the side to provide a slick and streamlined mobile showroom. There is also an air-conditioned VIP zone and bar inside the trailer, with access to a roof terrace that can be used for anything from meetings and discussions.
Robe’s show truck is run by a permanent crew of two who will build up the truck and black box tent, stock and run the bar and take care of the cleaning. A Robe crew chief will assist with the organisation of each individual show truck event, including allocation of additional sales, technical and product managers, and other staff as appropriate.
