Latest News
Stay updated on our latest projects along with new articles and updates
HSLC to Showcase Stage Lighting Heritage at PLASA 2026
6–8 September 2026 · Olympia London · Classic Gear Live, Gallery Stand K62
The Historic Stage Lighting Collective (HSLC) is pleased to be returning to PLASA Show 2026, marking our fourth consecutive year at the show and continuing our involvement with Classic Gear Live.
Since its first appearance in 2023, Classic Gear Live has brought together significant examples of historic entertainment technology, placing equipment from the industry’s past alongside the latest innovations being presented at PLASA today. For HSLC, it provides an important opportunity to bring historic stage lighting equipment back into the industry from which it came — not simply as static exhibits, but as working objects with stories, skills and knowledge attached to them.
Celebrating 70 years of “Betty”
Among the equipment returning this year is “Betty” — the Strand Electric System CD 120-channel lighting control, which celebrates her 70th anniversary in 2026.
Dating from 1956, Betty controlled the stage lighting at London’s Palace Theatre until 1980 and today forms part of the HSLC collection. Originally preserved as part of the Jim Laws Collection, she remains a remarkable surviving example of an important period in the development of theatrical lighting control.
Following the interest she attracted at PLASA last year, visitors will once again have the opportunity to see and experience this extraordinary piece of stage lighting history.
The National Theatre at 50
PLASA 2026 will also mark 50 years since the opening of the National Theatre on London’s South Bank.
Classic Gear Live will help tell that story through a collection of lighting control technology associated with the National Theatre across several generations — illustrating the extraordinary development of theatrical lighting control and the National Theatre’s long association with technological innovation.
From the pioneering Lightboard, through Galaxy and Strand 500 Series, to an early ETC Eos, the display will provide a rare opportunity to see different generations of control technology brought together.
Keeping the technology — and its stories — alive
For HSLC, preserving historic stage lighting is about considerably more than saving equipment.
The people who designed, manufactured, sold, installed and operated this technology are an equally important part of its history. Events such as PLASA allow equipment to be reunited with the people who knew it, while giving today’s generation of practitioners and students an opportunity to discover the technology that helped shape the industry they work in today.
Our fourth consecutive year contributing to Classic Gear Live at PLASA represents another important step in the development of HSLC and our aim to collect, preserve and inspire through working equipment, research, demonstrations and the sharing of knowledge.
Visitors to PLASA are warmly invited to come and meet us, explore the historic equipment and share their own memories and experiences.
As HSLC continues to develop, there are also opportunities to become a member, volunteer or support the work of the Collective, helping us ensure that this remarkable technical heritage and the knowledge surrounding it are preserved for the future.
Classic Gear Live — Gallery, Stand K62
PLASA Show 2026
6–8 September 2026
Olympia London
For more inforamtion on PLASA 2026
Illuminating the past.
Published 24 August 2026
Photos: HSLC, 2026
HSLC and Backstage Heritage Collection Strengthen Collaborative Partnership
The Historic Stage Lighting Collective (HSLC) is pleased to confirm that a formal collaborative agreement is now in place with the Backstage Heritage Collection (BHC), led by Jon Primrose.
The agreement establishes a clear framework for collaboration between the two organisations, recognising their complementary roles in preserving and promoting historic theatre technology.
HSLC continues to focus on the stewardship, conservation, and demonstration of physical historic equipment, while BHC develops and manages digital interpretation through the Theatrecrafts platform, a widely recognised and respected resource within the theatre industry.
Both organisations remain fully independent and self-governing, with the agreement strengthening an already established working relationship and supporting shared aims in preservation, research, public engagement, and long-term heritage stewardship.
This development also builds on recent progress involving HSLC taking stewardship responsibility for the existing historic display at White Light, following its earlier establishment by BHC and White Light.
As part of the continuing relationship between the organisations, Jon Primrose has also accepted an invitation to join HSLC’s Executive Committee as a co-opted trustee — the first appointment of its kind within the organisation’s developing governance structure.
HSLC looks forward to continuing this collaborative relationship as both organisations develop their respective roles within the wider theatre and technical heritage community.
“We’re delighted to formalise and strengthen what has already become a very positive working relationship between HSLC and the Backstage Heritage Collection. The relationship brings together two complementary areas of expertise; HSLC’s focus on the stewardship and demonstration of physical historic equipment, alongside BHC’s important work in digital interpretation and theatre heritage through Theatrecrafts. This agreement helps provide a clear and constructive framework for future collaboration.”
— Ian Lewis, Chair, Historic Stage Lighting Collective
Published 23 April 2026
HSLC Confirms Hosting and Display Agreement with White Light
The Historic Stage Lighting Collective (HSLC) is pleased to confirm the formalisation of a Hosting and Collaborative Display Agreement with White Light, a d&b solutions company, relating to the display of historic stage-lighting artefacts at White Light’s Wimbledon (SW19) premises. The agreement was developed with Dave Isherwood, then Technical Director at White Light, whose support and collaboration helped bring the arrangement into place ahead of his retirement.
This follows the recent signing of a Title Transfer from the Backstage Heritage Collection (BHC), through which ownership of the display artefacts was formally transferred to HSLC.
BHC has played an important role in documenting and presenting aspects of theatre technology history, including its widely used Theatrecrafts platform. The Title Transfer establishes HSLC’s responsibility for the longterm stewardship, care, and curatorial oversight of the physical artefacts, within a structured governance and collections management framework.
White Light’s support has been important in enabling the display to remain accessible within a respected industry setting. By providing space for the collection and supporting opportunities for engagement, White Light has helped create a valuable environment in which historic equipment can be seen in dialogue with contemporary professional practice. HSLC is pleased to acknowledge that support while retaining responsibility for the stewardship and insurance of its collection within the display.
Under the Hosting and Collaborative Display Agreement:
HSLC retains ownership and curatorial responsibility for the transferred artefacts.
White Light continues to host the display at its Wimbledon premises.
White Light retains ownership of its own historic display equipment, which remains alongside the collection.
The arrangement provides a clear and stable structure for stewardship while ensuring the collection remains visible within White Light’s active working environment, creating continuity between historic practice and contemporary production.
HSLC and BHC are continuing discussions toward a structured collaborative partnership, recognising complementary roles in physical stewardship and digital interpretation.
Ian Lewis, Chair of HSLC, said:
“We are grateful to BHC for the constructive approach that has enabled us to clarify ownership and establish a stable framework for the display.
Formalising the hosting arrangement with White Light ensures the artefacts are stewarded within a clear and accountable structure, while remaining visible within an active professional environment. We look forward to continuing collaborative discussions that support both physical preservation and digital interpretation.”
Further updates regarding display development and partnership arrangements will be shared in due course.
Published 26 February 2026
Photo: HSLC, 2026
