zactrack and Ayrton support Jeff Croiter’s dynamic lighting for Hercules the Musical in the West End

Ambersphere Solutions is proud to highlight the lighting design behind Hercules the Musical, now playing in London’s West End, where lighting designer Jeff Croiter has created an energetic and story-focused visual world with a full suite of Ayrton fixtures and a comprehensive zactrack SMART tracking system.

“This lustre-dusted show-stopper of a musical is everything you could want: spangled, joyous and gloriously camp.”— Radio Times review of Disney’s Hercules in the West End.

Originally developed for its most recent staging in Hamburg, the show has been significantly re-envisioned for its arrival at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The London production brings new movement, scenic developments, and staging refinements, all of which required a refreshed and flexible lighting approach.

Approaching Hercules for the West End

Lighting Designer Jeff Croiter explains that while the production carries over the foundation of the Hamburg version, the lighting design for London grew into a substantial evolution. “We didn’t start from scratch, but we basically redid everything along the way. The bones are similar, but the way we’ve done it is different, and the results are different also.”

The adjustments to scenery, pacing and stage flow meant the lighting needed to adapt continuously, shifting from bold spectacle to intimate storytelling with precision.

Ayrton as the Core of the Rig

The West End production relies heavily on Ayrton fixtures, including:

·       41 Ayrton Veloce

·       57 Ayrton Eurus S

·       10 Ayrton Huracan

·       3 Ayrton Domino LT

·       3 Ayrton Domino LT modified with cameras for PRG GroundControl use

These units deliver most of the show’s FOH lighting, overstage coverage, colour, texture and shaping.

Jeff explains why he chose the Ayrton Veloce in particular: “The quality of light, the intensity, the inherent LED engine, it’s brighter, it’s whiter, and flattering to people in its base white. The colour mixing is beautiful, it’s not a noisy light, not too big, and it looks good hanging in the air.”

Ayrton fixtures remain active throughout the entire performance. As Jeff notes, they appear in every scene from the start to the final moment.

Disney’s Hercules tells the story of a young demigod who must discover what it truly means to be a hero in order to reclaim his place on Mount Olympus, facing gods, monsters, and the power of true love along the way.

Jeff focused on creative colour choices and used zactrack SMART as a storytelling tool to enhance the bold, fast-paced narrative.

zactrack SMART as a Creative Tracking Tool in the West End

The production also incorporates a full zactrack SMART system with a backup server, used as a creative tracking tool that enhances lighting precision and performance integration across the large, fast-moving stage environment. The total product list includes:

·       2 zactrack SMART Servers

·       9 zactrack SMART Anchors

·       19 zactrack SMART Trackers 

·       1 x zactrack SMART server coupler

·       3 x zactrack SMART charging stations

Originally, Jeff’s team spent significant time programming moving lights to follow performers manually. The ability to automate these movements proved essential, especially for sequences involving multiple Muses and principals. “At one point our programmer Chris Hirst said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we had zactrack to do this?’ We use it to follow Hercules with backlight, to layer coloured light alongside traditional approaches, and to track up to eight performers at once. Without zactrack, we simply wouldn’t achieve that level of coverage.”

The system allows the lighting to adapt fluidly to performer movement, supporting both storytelling and visual cohesion. It also required thoughtful collaboration between lighting, costumes, wigs, and stage management to integrate the tracking elements seamlessly into rehearsals and performances. “Performers don’t wear costumes during daytime rehearsals, so we had to find new ways to place trackers in rehearsal clothes. Costume and wigs teams were very accommodating, building pockets and adjusting structures where needed.”

Jeff advises that designers using tracking systems should ensure they have team members who deeply understand the technology. “Have someone who knows the system in detail, moment to moment. Having Chris Hirst on the desk, who knows how to program it, is invaluable.”

Hercules used a zactrack SMART system featuring 2 zactrack SMART servers, 9 zactrack SMART anchors, and 19 zactrack SMART trackers.

Jeff Croiter's lighting as a Big, Bold Experience

For Jeff, the lighting approach for Hercules focuses on enhancing audience experience and supporting the show’s storytelling momentum. “This show isn’t about delicate pretty pictures. It’s a crowd-pleasing theatrical endeavour from start to finish. It’s about making bold choices and making sure the audience has a great time.”

With the combined strengths of Ayrton fixtures and the zactrack SMART system, Hercules delivers a vibrant, modern, and high-energy interpretation of the classic myth.

Ambersphere is the exclusive UK distributor for Ayrton and zactrack. They support designers and productions across the UK with leading fixtures, creative tracking tools and expert technical guidance.

Credits:

Lighting Designer: Jeff Croiter

Associate Lighting Designer: Jess Creager

Scenic & Additional Video Design: Dane Laffrey

Video Design: George Reeves

Photos: Johan Persson, Matt Crockett, Disney, Ambersphere

Original article by Maria Tate (Ambersphere Solutions): https://www.ambersphere.com/news/zactrack-and-ayrton-support-jeff-croiters-dynamic-lighting-for-hercules-the-musical-in-the-west-end/