The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

Sfptfmrer 9, 1931 MODERN CINEMA TECHNIQUE THE BIOSCOPE Holophane’s Remarkable Demonstration What was undoubtedly the most successful Holophane demonstration ever staged was provided last Wednesday for visiting members of the Illuminating Congress. It took place in the beautiful little theatre of the Holophane Company’s premises in Elverton Street, and consisted of a really brilliant little show of about an hour’s duration, each item of which specifically illustrated some feature of colour lighting. The demonstration had been prepared by the Company’s lighting consultant, Gillespie Williams. No one, to my knowledge, has ever questioned Mr. Williams’s indefatigable enthusiasm and energy and his supreme ability in his own field. But he has on occasion been criticised by the Flat-Footed Fraternity for being a trifle high-brow and abstract. On this occasion, at any rate, his appeal was strictly popular and he made a direct approach to his effects that was evidently greatly to the liking of his audience. The Holophane stage is unavoidably small and some earlier shows I have seen there have suffered by the large proportion of the scene taken up by the human performers. The effect of this is always to reduce the impressiveness of the background and to divert attention to the wrong details. On this occasion the dancers were all young girls and the improvement in the spectacular effect was immediately obvious. No attempt was made to give a “ show ” in the ordinary sense of the word. What was aimed at was to create a suggestion of a show and illustrate how big a part colour might be made to play in even the simplest stage spectacles. For this reason the settings were of the simplest character— a few columns and blocks, a flight of stairs, and an occasional painted strip. The children, who came from the Mayfair School of Dancing, of which Flora M. Fairbaim is principal, had been trained by Daphne Jay, and gave their services This charming study gives an excellent idea of the pleasing effects obtainable from very simple stage equipment and scenery free — in some cases at considerable sacrifice Their work was excellent and contributed to a show that was really impressive. There were only six items, " Folly and Brunette,” “ Patchworks,” “ Bathing Belles” (depicting a seaside scene), a Beach Pyjama scene, a “ Nippy” scene and “ The Awakening.” In these few items Mr. Williams cleverly ranged from the simplest form of appeal to the eye in form and colour to a scene of mystical and spiritual suggestion, illustrating en route various types of lighting, and demonstrating the possibilities of lighting figures adequately in front of a cyclorama background. Some items such as those showing girls dancing with brilliant multi-coloured shadows projected behind them and the instantaneous transformation of fancy dresses and backgrounds by means of coloured lighting were warmly applauded. When it is remembered that the electric equipment of the Holophane stage is of a very simple character and designed to show the possibilities of a cheap outfit, the results were certainly very striking. The last item and by far the best was a single figure emerging from a mysterious and inchoate red world on one side of the stage and slowly progressing, with increasing wonderment and exaltation, into a realm of blue light on the other side. Expressed in this crude form such a scene seems unpromising, but by the aid of music, dancing and the clever control of suggestive lighting, the journey across the stage took on a deeper meaning— a birth from one life into another, the escape of a soul from experience to realisation, or a score of other interpretations according to the response of the beholder. The scene impressed by the simplicity and directness of its technique, and was a fitting conclusion to a show which won unstinted congratulations for its sponsors. Hi i N I I N * 5 5 K I TO PROJECTIONISTS THE SHIP CARBON 1 COMPANY’’ of Great Britain makes it a matter of routine to instal and operate in its laboratory every lamp, British or foreign, offered on the market of this country. •• SHIP CARBONS are designed specifically to operate in these various lamps by scientists assisted by S t a ff Projectionists who have an intimate knowledge of British projection conditions. • t THE SHIP CARBON COMPANY will gladly co-operate with you in any problem involving light, whether you use SHIP or any other brand of Carbon. •• Just write to The Service Manager, CHARLES H. CHAMPION & CO., LTD., 14-17, Wells Street, Oxford Street, London W.l, Or ’phone Museum 3262. HIP CARBONS