HSL supplied Robe ColorSpot 1200AT moving lights - specified by lighting designer Greg McLennahan – to light world’s largest mirror ball on Blackpool Promenade.

It is one of the new lighting features for the world famous Blackpool Illuminations and their newly launched "Festival of Light" concept, which was switched on for the 2005 season.

The 20 ft diameter rotating mirror ball, is named "They Shoot Horses Don't They" and has been in residence since 2002. It was created by artist Michael Trainor and is synonymous with the culture of ballroom dancing, for which the town is also historically renowned.


A new Icon for the Blackpool Illuminations

McLennahan was commissioned to transform the glitter ball into a "new icon for the illuminations". Apart from that brief, received from Illuminations' Festival Director Philip Oakley, he was given a free hand as to how he achieved the goal.

His aim was to make it contemporary, cool and fun as well as a memorable visual sight that brought a distinct touch of luminescent glamour and sophistication to the sea front.

The six ColorSpot 1200 E AT fixtures are mounded on customised 5 metre high posts, with special domes on top to protect them for the weather – being directly exposed to the Irish sea, it can be an extremely hostile environment. The posts were designed and supplied by Blackpool Council’s Illuminations engineering department. They are force air cooled to extract the heat of the fixtures form the small space.

HSL also supplied another four Robe ColorSpots 1200 E ATs and control  for the top of Blackpool Tower for the opening week of the Illuminations. They were used to perform aerial effects and to project light beams and logos onto the clouds.