--- title: "Behind-the-scenes: Angels in America – et cetera..." description: Dan Murfin-lighting control manager for the National Theatre-talks us through the unusual shared control system behind this production of Angels in America image: https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/16_-Denise-Gough-Harper-and-Andrew-Garfield-Prior-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-e1500394149882-750x500.jpg --- - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [ABOUT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [AUTHORS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [CONTACT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [![EtCetera_319x104](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "EtCetera_319x104")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) [![ETC Blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "ETC Blog")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) Search ## [![blog-header](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.png?width=476&height=155&name=blog-header.png "blog-header")](https://www.etcconnect.com) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [✕](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/behind-scenes-angels-in-america#gwen-offcanvas-primary) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) # Behind-the-scenes: Angels in America ![Katherine Stamp](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/katherine.png?width=34&height=34&name=katherine.png)By [Katherine Stamp](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/katherine-stamp) 10 Aug 2017 ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/16_-Denise-Gough-Harper-and-Andrew-Garfield-Prior-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-e1500394149882-750x500.jpg)   Tony Kushner’s multi-award-winning play, *Angels in America* recently made a triumphant return to the National Theatre in London, marking 25 years since its UK debut. In this post, [Dan Murfin](https://www.dsmurfin.co.uk/), lighting control manager for the National, talks us through the unusual shared control system behind this production of the two-part epic. ![AndrewGarfield(Prior),JamesMcArdle(Louis), RussellTovey(Prior 1)andNathanLane(Prior 2) in Angels in America (c) Helen Maybanks](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/20_-AndrewGarfieldPriorJamesMcArdleLouis-RussellToveyPrior-1andNathanLanePrior-2-in-Angels-in-America-c-Helen-Maybanks-1024x611.jpg?width=750&height=448&name=20_-AndrewGarfieldPriorJamesMcArdleLouis-RussellToveyPrior-1andNathanLanePrior-2-in-Angels-in-America-c-Helen-Maybanks-1024x611.jpg) Dubbed “a gay fantasia on national themes” by Kushner, *Angels in America* concerns a group of interconnected New Yorkers in the mid-1980s, when the world was in the grip of the AIDS crisis and Ronald Reagan was in the White House. Marianne Elliott, directed the new staging of the play. She’s complemented by a lighting design from Paule Constable and a set designed by Ian MacNeil, who takes advantage of the moving parts afforded by the National’s Lyttelton stage to blend reality and fantasy for the multi-faceted story. **![Russell Tovey (Joseph Pitt) in Angels in America - Millennium Approaches (c) Helen Maybanks](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/9_-Russell-Tovey-Joseph-Pitt-in-Angels-in-America-Millennium-Approaches-c-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg?width=750&height=500&name=9_-Russell-Tovey-Joseph-Pitt-in-Angels-in-America-Millennium-Approaches-c-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg)** #### **The LightStrike app** “One thing that is quite different about this production is the use of the [LightStrike app](https://www.dsmurfin.co.uk),” says Murfin. “The app works alongside Eos to track automation systems with the lighting, making use of Streaming ACN and sharing that control with Eos. LightStrike’s in control of the pan and the tilt of moving lights in the rig, while Eos controls the color, the intensity, the shutters and that type of thing.” #### **Shared control system** “There are four revolves in part one, and Eos working together with LightStrike means we are able to have the lights staying mapped to a specific area of the stage,” he continues. “The lights are able to track the revolves and remain in the same place as they move, an exciting and rare process. It’s a shared system so we can hand control over to LightStrike for a move and we take back control on Eos for a scene.” ![Denise Gough (Harper) and Russell Tovey (Joseph) in AngelsInAmerica Perestroika photo by Helen Maybanks](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/12_-Denise-Gough-Harper-and-Russell-Tovey-Joseph-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg?width=750&height=500&name=12_-Denise-Gough-Harper-and-Russell-Tovey-Joseph-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg) “There is a lot of technology in the show. It’s about supporting the story and making what can feel like a large space feel incredibly intimate for audiences,” says Murfin. #### **OSC, Eos & QLab** In the Lyttelton, all of the lighting and sound integration is via Eos and Open Sound Control (OSC). “For part one, this system is used to animate an old-time telephone control desk,” explains Murfin. “When a button on it is pressed, OSC triggers Eos and QLab. They respond by illuminating the LED on the button.” ![10. Nathan Lane (Roy Cohn), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Belize) and Susan Brown (Ethel Rosenberg) in AngelsInAmerica Perestroika photo by Helen Maybanks](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/10_-Nathan-Lane-Roy-Cohn-Nathan-Stewart-Jarrett-Belize-and-Susan-Brown-Ethel-Rosenberg-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg?width=750&height=500&name=10_-Nathan-Lane-Roy-Cohn-Nathan-Stewart-Jarrett-Belize-and-Susan-Brown-Ethel-Rosenberg-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg) At the National, where several different productions can be seen in any one week, it is technically challenging to accommodate a production as sizeable as Angels in America. #### **The key to success?** “With everything we have going on at the National, time is often tight and we have to achieve a lot in a short space of time. For this production alone, the lighting control team includes three programmers using two [Eos Ti®](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Legacy/Console/Eos-Family/Eos-Ti/Features.aspx) control desks and a [Gio®](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Legacy/Console/Eos-Family/Gio/Features.aspx). Several factors are key to our success – we have the best control systems, our programmers are the best in the industry, and we’ve got the best equipment to make the process as easy as possible,” concludes Murfin. ![Denise Gough (Harper) in Angels in America - Millennium Approaches (c) Helen Maybanks](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/16_-Denise-Gough-Harper-in-Angels-in-America-Millennium-Approaches-c-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg?width=750&height=500&name=16_-Denise-Gough-Harper-in-Angels-in-America-Millennium-Approaches-c-Helen-Maybanks-1024x683.jpg)   Photos © Helen Maybanks. *This is an abridged version of a press release issued in June 2017, read the full story at [etcconnect.com](https://www.etcconnect.com/About/News/Angels-in-America-is-under-control-with-ETC-s-Eos-and-LightStrike.aspx).*  - - - 0 [#Eos](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos) [#SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) [#Gio](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gio) [#Dan Murfin](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/dan-murfin) [#Eos Ti](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos-ti) [#London](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/london) [#National Theatre](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/national-theatre) [#Apps](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/apps) [#OSC](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/osc) [#The National](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/the-national) [#LightStrike](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/lightstrike) ### ETC paints the stage at the Guthrie [Previous article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/etc-paints-the-stage-at-the-guthrie) ### Exploring the Network: The Postcard (OSC) [Next article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/exploring-the-network-osc-part-i) [Katherine Stamp](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/katherine-stamp) ![Katherine Stamp](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/katherine.png?width=180&height=180&name=katherine.png) Katherine joined ETC in 2016 with a background in entertainment technology marketing. Although based out of the London office, she currently resides on the fringe of Sherwood Forest, famous for the legend of Robin Hood. Katherine enjoys traveling, reading, walking, theme parks and live music. She’s also a qualified hypnotherapist – but don’t let that scare you! #### You may also like [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/New%20National%20Theatre.%20Tokyo%20Japan%202023%20(6)%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/why-dali-matters-etc) [FEATURED](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/featured) ### [Why DALI Matters: A Quiet Change in How America Lights Its Buildings](https://blog.etcconnect.com/why-dali-matters-etc) By [Matheu Girouard](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/mgirouard) 23-Apr-2026 As the ETC Marketing Team started the conversation with Avraham Mor and Casey Diers of Morlights in Chicago, IL, it began with interest.   “Why is DALI different? Why should people care?” [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/why-dali-matters-etc) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/marquee-crop-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/05/tech-table-talk-programming-anastasia-broadway) [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) ### [Eos on Broadway: Anastasia](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/05/tech-table-talk-programming-anastasia-broadway) By [Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster) 23-May-2017 Welcome to Eos on Broadway, where we take a look at the behind-the-scenes control that makes a large-scale show tick. In this installment, Eos programmer Scott Kearns Tusing talks about the... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/05/tech-table-talk-programming-anastasia-broadway) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/OOC-Magic-Sheets-Banner4-750x500.png)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/01/navigating-magic-sheets) [Eos](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos) ### [Out of Control: Navigating with Magic Sheets](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/01/navigating-magic-sheets) By [Nick Gonsman](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/nick-gonsman) 31-Jan-2017 *Out of Control is a recurring series written by **Nick Gonsman** of ETC NYC.Each installment aims to shed light on an aspect of the theory and practice of entertainment lighting control. Today’s...* [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/01/navigating-magic-sheets) - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [About](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [Authors](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [Links](https://blog.etcconnect.com/links) - [Contact us](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Privacy Policy & Legal Notices](https://www.etcconnect.com/Privacy-Policy-Terms-of-Use-and-Acceptable-Use.aspx) [CA Transparency Act & Transparency in Coverage](https://www.etcconnect.com/About/California-Supply-Chain-Transparency-Act.aspx) [Do Not Share My Personal Info](https://www.etcconnect.com/Do-Not-Share-My-Personal-Info/) [CA Privacy Rights](https://www.etcconnect.com/CA-Privacy-Rights/) ![ETC blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/ETC-logo_footer-wh.png)   ![ETC 50 anniversary](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedimages/Main_Site/Images/50yr_160x80.png "ETC 50 anniversary") [![ETC social networks](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/Images/social_Footer.png "ETC social networks")](https://www.etcconnect.com/Get-connected.aspx) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Katherine Stamp", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/katherine-stamp" }, "dateModified" : "2022-10-26T14:08:34.457Z", "datePublished" : "2017-08-10T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Behind-the-scenes: Angels in America – et cetera...", "image" : [ "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/16_-Denise-Gough-Harper-and-Andrew-Garfield-Prior-in-AngelsInAmerica-Perestroika-photo-by-Helen-Maybanks-e1500394149882-750x500.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/behind-scenes-angels-in-america", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Logos%20-%20Icons%20-%20Design%20Elements/ETC_4c.png" }, "name" : "ETC" } } ```