Dublin-based Just Lites joined forces with Robe UK to stage an Open Day at their facility in the north of the City that showcased all the latest products available from Robe.

This included the new DigitalSpot 5000DT moving head projector and Robe's new Series 700 moving light fixtures.

The two day event was attended by a stream of lighting designers, programmers, operators and rental companies, all of whom took a great interest in the products.

Just Lites is run by three brothers, Paul, Ian and Alan Smith. It is one of Ireland's most successful and best known lighting rental houses. They have invested in over 200 Robe fixtures in recent years, used regularly for all their shows, events and festivals, and have also supplied them to a variety of installations.

Robe UK's sales director Ian W Brown and technical manager Nathan Wan went to Dublin to put the new products through their paces and show off their functionality to all those attending.

"We use Robe products all the time" says Paul Smith "So it's important that our clients, designers and technicians are aware of the latest technology available, specially as Robe has been so proactive in launching new products in the last 6 months".

Leading Irish LD's attending included Darragh McAuliffe (currently lighting director on the Sugababes tour); Liam McCarthy (Elvis Costello, Clannad and Mary Black) who has worked with Just Lites since they started 15 years ago, plus Cormack Jackson and Kevin Saunders.

Ian W Brown adds, "Ireland is an incredibly buoyant market, there's lots of buzz and activity right now, and it's great to see Just Lites at the centre of the action. The Open Day also provided a great opportunity to put Robe's latest products in front of the large cross section of the Irish industry.

Smith thinks the current convergence between lighting and video worlds is particularly exciting, so the DigitalSpots received plenty of attention. The company also supplies kit to a lot of TV shows, so the 700 Series is also very interesting.

Just Lites stocks a full range of Robe kit. Their first order was for six MS Zoom 250 Spots which were installed in the Ambassador's Theatre in Dublin and left working for 3 years, "exactly what a rental company needs - gear that works all the time" says Smith. He adds that Robe as a brand has proved to be absolutely reliable time and time again, and that the "fantastic" support  from Robe UK has also been invaluable.

Both of these reasons encouraged them to go on to buy large quantities of ColorWash and ColorSpot 575ATs and 1200ATs. They have also just bought 12 LED Wash 136LTs.

Just Lites is involved with a wide variety of shows incorporating the worlds of live performance, theatre, corporate and television. Recent projects have included the Young Scientists Exhibition at Dublin's RDS, a TV special for Childline (working with top LD Peter Barnes) and the Irish Meteor Music Awards, staged at The Point.  Upcomings include the Green Energy Weekend, May Bank Holiday Weekend, events at Dublin Castle, Trinity Ball, the Oxegen Festival and The Electric Picnic.