Sparks add further Martin MAC Ultra fixtures to rental inventory thanks to theatrical demand

Sparks Theatrical Hire have recently added an additional 16 Martin MAC Ultra Performance fixtures to their rental inventory as a direct result of LD demand in theatre.

“We have been extremely pleased with the feedback we have had from designers and technicians in the field, and the fact that they have proved so popular means we were pleased to add even more units to our rental inventory.” says Spark’s Director, Paul Anderson.

Since taking delivery, the MAC Ultras have proved extremely popular with Sparks’ clients. The first units went onto the production of ‘Straight Line Crazy’ at The Bridge Theatre designed by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and subsequently they have been deployed in the West End transfer of ‘Oklahoma’ lit by Scott Zielinski, ‘Operation Mincemeat’, Lit by Mark Henderson, ‘Guys and Dolls’ at The Bridge Theatre designed by Paule Constable, and can be seen on the West End transfer of The Crucible lit by Tim Lutkin.

Photo caption: One of Sparks Theatrical’s most recent Martin MAC Ultra hires is to Guys & Dolls at The Bridge Theatre, lit by Paule Constable. Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan. 

Reflecting on the company’s original investment in MAC Ultra, Paul continues, “At Sparks we were looking first and foremost for a unit that was reliable, this is very important to us as a rental company, as we don’t want to be swapping out faulty kit all the time. This becomes very frustrating for the creatives involved, not to mention costly for all concerned. As we have already invested heavily in Martin products with the MAC Aura XB, and MAC Encore Wash and Performance range, both warm and cold, we knew that the build quality is extremely good, and the functionality of Martin products are superb.”

Sparks were also looking to replace fixtures from another brand, and were looking for a unit with all the features those units had as a very basic minimum.

“The MAC Ultra Performance delivers this in spades, and then some.” Paul says. “As a designer myself I am placed in quite a unique position, where I have been fortunate enough to use the Ultras at The National Theatre where I lit both ‘Hex’ and ‘Small Island’ in the Olivier Theatre, where the Ultra’s had been installed as part of the new basic rig. I was extremely impressed with the units, not only were they stunningly bright, but the dimming was very smooth, particularly at the bottom end, which I think is very important for theatre use. As you would expect, the framing shutters, iris, and frost make this an extremely versatile unit for the theatre environment, not to mention an impressive range of gobos, which were particularly useful for Hex. The colours the unit can produce are exquisite, from subtle hues to bold saturates.”

For more information visit: 

• Sparks Theatrical Hire
• Martin MAC Ultra