On January 12, 2024, Qatar opened the AFC Asian Cup at the Lusail Stadium, the largest in the Middle East. The opening ceremony was exceptional, with a central stage and stunning visuals around a motif of giant reflected petals. The 21-minute show, titled “Mirrors, The Lost Chapter of the Book of Kelileh Wa Demneh,” was broadcast internationally and noted for its theatrical narrative. The lighting design was carried out by Roland Greil.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create a theatrical theme and lighting design that aligned with the cinematic approach of the producers at Katara Studios,” explains Greil. «The show was complex, spectacular and theatrical, with a detailed plot and magnificent costumes. We needed a team that would support the beautiful story on stage and create magical looks for 80% of the time, but also have the ability to deliver additional impact for key moments during the remaining 20% for the live broadcast, capturing the joy and enthusiasm for football in the region.
45 were installed Domino Profile and 80 Hurricane Profile around the circumference of the field at level 0, at a height of 1,6 m and with a projection distance of 40 to 50 meters. “This immediately gave us traditional theatrical side lighting without interfering with audience sight lines, but high enough to shoot over the heads of security teams on the perimeters.”
«Halfway up the stands, on level 4, we found another perfect lighting position that we filled with 110 Domino Profiles for more key illumination from 80 to 90 meters away. The Domino Profiles are basically an IP version of the Huracán Profile, so I was able to use both as if they were the same light.
A further 67 Domino Profiles were installed along two walkway trusses at a height of 90 to 100 metres, providing two elevated lighting positions from which the public could be illuminated. for background shots, bathing it with LED spotlights.
96 were installed Ayrton Cobra on the roof of the stadium to create aerial beams and amplify the effect of the fireworks, which were filmed by drones and a helicamera. "We also used the Cobras to create a nice effect from inside the stadium, placing them to create a kind of roof of lights over the open stadium that could be seen perfectly from inside."
On the stage, Greil integrated 54 Ayrton Domino Wash on the floor, which he used to illuminate the scenic elements, but also to create a “beautiful beam of light” between the five mirrored LED petals of the main scenic element.
In Greil's words: "Considering the magnitude of the show, we illuminated the entire ceremony with relatively few lights," "In total there were 54 Domino Wash, 224 Domino Profile, 80 Huracán Profile and 96 Cobra, in addition to another 244 mobile lights, all of them capable of dealing with enormous projection distances. Thanks to these luminaires and a great collaboration between all departments, we were able to overcome the challenges of lighting a huge event in a stadium.”
Once again, Ayrton luminaires have demonstrated their ability to fill events and spaces as crowded as an inaugural continental football match with light and color.