Le Théâtre de Laval goes LED with Robert Juliat
Le Théâtre de Laval in North Western France has modernised its lighting with a sustainable approach, converting more than 70 Robert Juliat profile spotlights to LED while retaining their existing optics.
Le Théâtre de Laval in North Western France has recently completed a project to modernise its lighting equipment. Adopting a sustainable approach, the theatre opted for a retrofit solution: converting existing equipment to LED rather than discarding their well-maintained fixtures.
This three-year investment combined technical requirements, high-quality lighting design and low environmental impact. To uphold all these criteria, and to address the gradual obsolescence of its halogen lighting inventory, Le Théâtre de Laval decided to convert more than 70 Robert Juliat profile spotlights to LED technology, retaining their existing optics, thereby extending the lifespan of equipment that is still fully operational.
Opened in 2007 following five years of reconstruction, and labelled Centre National de la Marionnette (National Puppetry Centre) since 2022, Le Théâtre de Laval is a multidisciplinary cultural venue offering a wide range of performances: dance, theatre, music and hybrid, innovative forms.
A three-year investment plan
Rolled out between 2023 and 2025, this modernisation project covered the entire lighting system of the 580-seat Grande Salle Barbara Hendricks. The process involved 46 Robert Juliat Sully 4C coloured-LED retrofit modules and 28 Bizet 500W variable-white lamp houses which converted the Theatre's existing 1kW RJ 600SX and 2kW RJ 700SX profile spotlights respectively.
To complement these upgrades, the Theatre also purchased 20 Robert Juliat Dalis 860 LED cyclights. The stage, with a 20m high by 16m wide proscenium, now benefits from powerful 8-colour mixing LED light sources offering a wide colour spectrum.
In the true spirit of sustainability, the old halogen lamp houses from the 700SX units were not discarded. They were donated to other theatres, enabling them to refurbish their own equipment in turn.
A choice based on technology, environmental considerations and creative needs
For the technical team at Le Théâtre de Laval, this choice of Robert Juliat retrofit modules is not merely about the ecological impact. It also meets technical and theatrical requirements.
“We were particularly impressed by the Sully 4C profile spotlights,” say Christophe Duteil and Ronan Le Gall, the Theatre's lighting specialists. “We use them in full raw mode for dance and theatre, and the colour gamut is truly high-quality and complete. The RJ Color colour management embedded in the fixture itself ensures crisp and clear colour transitions. The tungsten simulation effect is also perfectly controlled, which is an essential aesthetic parameter for many designers and technicians with a discerning eye!”
The Bizet lamp houses, meanwhile, have made it possible to convert the theatre's traditional 700SX profile spots. Featuring a 500W variable white LED light source, they offer remote adjustment of the colour temperature from 3000K to 6300K. Their LED light source operates at full power whatever the colour temperature selected, guaranteeing very high-quality whites and high CRI levels.
“The new Bizet profile spots are installed front of house and above the stage, whilst the Dalis cyclorama lights provide the stage with a wash of light – a feature that is particularly valuable for the theatre's dance productions,” explains Ronan Le Gall.
Choosing Robert Juliat
“Choosing the French manufacturer Robert Juliat was a natural choice,” say Duteil and Le Gall. “The reliability and longevity of Robert Juliat spotlights are well established! We wanted to give our 1kW and 2kW profile spots, which were well maintained and in perfect working order, a whole new second life. That's exactly what we have done, and we now have spotlights featuring advanced LED technology that delivers the same high-quality light and optics we are used to.”
By choosing LED conversion rather than outright replacement, the Théâtre de Laval has demonstrated that it is possible to combine technical excellence with energy efficiency in the performing arts. Audiolite, one of Robert Juliat distributors in France, supported the Theatre in this endeavour.
More information on Le Théâtre de Laval : letheatre.laval.fr
More information on Audiolite : audiolite-sonorisation.com
Photos: © Le Théâtre de Laval