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CASE STORY

Reimagining a Legend

Project: The Plaza Ballroom LED Upgrade
Client: Marriner Group
Location: Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Partners
THE CHALLENGE

Lighting History Without Living in the Past

Built in 1929, the Plaza Ballroom is a masterpiece of Spanish Rococo architecture. Its high ceilings, intricate plasterwork, and grand chandeliers make it one of Melbourne’s most iconic venues.
However, lighting it was a constant battle between preservation and performance. The venue needed to transition from power-hungry, hot tungsten fixtures to modern LEDs, but for over a decade, they couldn't find a solution that worked. Every LED fixture they trialed failed one of two tests:

The venue needed a system that offered TV-ready color accuracy and flicker-free performance without losing the magic of the 1920s architecture.

Aesthetics :

The light looked "cold" or "digital," clashing with the warm, heritage
atmosphere.

Output :

The fixtures weren't bright enough to punch through the cavernous
ballroom space.

Partners
THE SOLUTION

"Try Before You Buy" Breakthrough

Clearlight Shows, having partnered with the Marriner Group for years, took a hands-on approach. Instead of relying on spec sheets, Managing Director John McKissock brought the equipment into the venue for real-world testing. The breakthrough came from Highlite International’s Infinity and Showtec ranges.

Budget Innovation :

Clearlight identified that the venue’s existing Selecon SPX lenses were still in great condition. By using lens adapters, they paired these vintage optics with modern Infinity TS260C7 Profile Engines. This hybrid solution saved significant budget, allowing the venue to invest in more fixtures elsewhere.

The "Sleeper" Hit:

The team was initially skeptical of the Showtec Performer Profile Zoom 150 Q6. On paper, it seemed standard. But once rigged, its RGBACL (Red, Green, Blue, Amber, Cyan, Lime) colour engine blew the technical team away, offering the rich, warm tones required for the heritage plasterwork that standard RGB LEDs simply couldn't match.

The Gear List

The new rig moved away from a traditional wash-heavy setup to a precise, profile-driven design, giving the venue complete control over where light falls.

Moving Heads :

Infinity Furion S201 Spots & Infinity iW-1941 RGBW Washes (for dynamic event looks).

Theatrical Profiles:

Infinity TS260C7 Engines (utilizing existing lenses) & Showtec Performer Profile Zoom 150s.

Wash & Effects:

Infinity TF260C7 7-colour Fresnels, Showtec Phantom 1220 Zoombars, and ACT Par 200s.

The Outcome

The Plaza Ballroom has successfully entered a new era. The upgrade has:

"We were skeptical at first... but once it was rigged, the performance blew us away. After an extended trial, we committed to a full redesign of our lighting system." 

~ Michael & Janet, Plaza Ballroom Technical Team

Reduced Energy Costs: 

Drastically lower power consumption compared to the old tungsten rig.

Improved Flexibility:

A single rig can now handle everything from a corporate gala to a broadcasted awards night without hiring extra gear.

Preserved Heritage:

The high CRI (Color Rendering Index) of the new fixtures ensures the 1929 architecture looks as golden and opulent as intended