One of the latest additions to London’s theatre scene, Paddington: The Musical wanted to deliver a richly immersive theatrical experience, bringing the character’s world to life through detailed scenic environments and visual storytelling. However, achieving this within a historic London theatre presented significant challenges.
The production required full scenic video coverage across multiple architectural surfaces, including moving and flown set pieces while ensuring that projection technology remained completely invisible to the audience. Any seen equipment, audible noise, or compromised sightlines would immediately break immersion and detract from the live performance.
At the same time, the system had to withstand the stringent realities of live theatre: tight rehearsal schedules, overnight maintenance windows, and the expectation of flawless performance in each and every show.
Working hand-in-hand with Dan Trenchard (video supervisor) and Ash J Woodward (video design & animation) Panasonic projectors were selected to deliver the required brightness, colour fidelity, and reliability without compromising the aesthetic integrity of the space.
A combination of Panasonic RQ35 and RQ25 series projectors was integrated into the venue, supplied by Stage Sound Services. The selected system balanced high-output performance with compact form factors and quiet operation, enabling projectors to be positioned front-of-house and above the audience without drawing attention to themselves. The projectors were complimented by a dedicated LED display, a rare hybrid approach that required precise planning and tuning.
While LED technology was located at the back of the set, projection was used at scale to extend and reshape the world of the production. Large-scale projection enabled complete stage transformations, including moments where imagery wrapped around the architecture of the set and reached into the theatre auditorium itself, while also allowing for subtlety in how the set was lit and revealed. Rather than acting as a substitute for physical scenery, projection was designed to sit in conversation with it, enhancing texture, depth and atmosphere while allowing the set to remain present and tangible.
image credit: Johan Persson