Roland Greil & Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) Expertly Deploy Elation Professional’s Acclaimed BRUTUS and EXCALIBUR to Shine Bright at The 2024 Arabian Gulf Cup Opening Ceremony

Lighting and production designer Roland Greil, known for his expertise in large-scale shows and spectaculars, delivered a visually stunning experience for the Opening Ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait this past December.

Tasked with illuminating a 360-degree, theatrically produced stadium event with challenging throws of 50-100 metres or more, Greil turned to the power and reliability of Elation Professional’s PROTEUS BRUTUS and PROTEUS EXCALIBUR fixtures to bring his vision to life.

“When lighting a magnificent, 360-degree, theatrically produced stadium ceremony, where you’re dealing with throws of 50-100 metres or more, besides lighting the stage or field of play you also want to achieve some magic and theatrical spice, and what you need there is firepower,” stated Greil. That firepower was delivered by a whopping 173 units of the PROTEUS BRUTUS LED wash/beam fixtures and 49 units of the PROTEUS EXCALIBUR beam lights, both IP65-rated moving heads designed to perform in the most demanding outdoor environments.

Compared to similar large-scale opening ceremonies, the fixture count for the Arabian Gulf Cup was relatively modest. For instance, the Asian Cup Opening Ceremony in Qatar the previous year utilised more than three times the number of moving heads. “There are not many lights on the market where you can realise such a large-scale stadium ceremony with such a small number of luminaires,” Greil said, emphasising the impact of the PROTEUS BRUTUS. “Considering that the stage was in the middle of a stadium without any possibility to rig lights above it or close to it, and the field of play where all the action takes place is more than a third of the football pitch, usually you achieve the firepower you need by having 800, 1000, or even 2000 lights. Thanks to the BRUTUS, it gave us the firepower to do it with a smaller number of lights. One BRUTUS substitutes easily two other lights.” Given the limited fixture options available for the project, Greil strategically deployed the BRUTUS as a spotlight rather than a wash beam, opting to use it without the diffuser lens to create a sharper, more focused beam.

According to Elation Professional, the PROTEUS BRUTUS is an exceptionally powerful fixture, delivering 75,000 lumens through a 1200W peak field LED engine. Engineered for long-throw applications, it features a full FX package and CMY colour mixing with variable CTO, allowing precise colour adjustments when required. With a zoom range of 4.5° to 45°, it offers flexibility as both a wide wash and a tight, high-intensity beam.

Balich Wonder Studio (BWS), the executive producer of the show, engaged Greil to light the highly anticipated biennial football competition’s opening. Under the creative direction of Federica Goffy, BWS crafted an elaborate theatrical production that paid tribute to Kuwait’s rich heritage, the unity of the Arabic states, and the region’s promising future. The ceremony seamlessly blended traditional Gulf folk arts with cutting-edge technology, culminating in a grand celebration ahead of the tournament’s first match.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the lighting team was the necessity for an ultra-fast load-out, as the first match was set to begin immediately after the ceremony, leaving just five minutes to clear the field. Furthermore, the lighting positions were extremely limited, compelling Greil and his team to utilise only two designated areas. The first position involved a standard ground alignment around the perimeter of the pitch, where PROTEUS BRUTUS fixtures provided powerful sidelight and backlight from behind the signage boards. Meanwhile, widely dispersed PROTEUS EXCALIBUR units projected intense beams that framed the overall look. The second position consisted of a circular array of trusses installed beneath the stadium’s catwalk. Here, BRUTUS fixtures were used both for their striking visual effects and for keylighting, which was managed through an automated tracking system. Greil referred to this system as a ‘saving grace’ due to the limited rehearsal time available.

The lighting design was carefully crafted to captivate both the live audience at Jaber International Stadium and viewers watching the broadcast worldwide. Greil’s design had to coexist with extensive floor projections, aerial drones, and a dazzling fireworks display, making the sheer intensity of the lighting crucial to ensuring it remained visually dominant.

The lighting equipment for the Arabian Gulf Cup Opening Ceremony was supplied by Creative Technology Middle East (CTME), who Greil praised for their excellent work. “Great kit, great crew, and super service,” he said. “They’ve built an excellent lighting department from the ground up over the last few years and their kit is new. The kit is one thing, but they also have the right people who are wonderful to work with.”