Peter Small on the Power of the Elation SOL I Blinder
December 15th, 2025 - 09:58
When Peter Small stepped into his latest show ROAM, a production built around fire, flame, and earthy tones, he knew he needed a fixture that could deliver warmth, intimacy, and flexibility. Enter the Elation SOL I Blinder, a product he used for the first time and now swears by.
“Not as a blinder,” Peter laughs. Despite its name, the SOL I wasn’t used for its traditional purpose. Instead, its compact size, incredible brightness, and versatile lens options made it the perfect choice for a show that demanded both theatrical subtlety and technical reliability.
Peter opted for the Fresnel lens, which gave him crisp beams and clear shadows ideal for creating depth and drama on stage. The colour homogenisation impressed him most: “No funny shadows, no uneven tones, just pure, flat colour,” he explains. Combined with excellent dimming and redshift, the fixtures behaved like classic tungsten, delivering that warm glow essential for the fire-inspired aesthetic.
Reliability was key. With only one day to set up, traditional tungsten lamps were too risky. The SOL I Blinder offered a modern solution with a classic feel, allowing Peter to dial in colour temperature effortlessly from tungsten warmth to HMI-like coolness. “They’re tiny, super bright, and the colour is just beautiful,” he says. “You can tuck them anywhere, front edge of the stage, down the sides, and they blend perfectly.”
The show’s design leaned heavily on flicker effects and candle-like dimming, amplifying real flames on stage. The SOL I fixtures delivered this with finesse, creating an atmosphere that felt organic yet controlled. Later, Peter pushed them into bold oranges and theatrical hues, proving their adaptability for both subtle and vibrant looks.
What sealed the deal? Build quality and flexibility. “They’re solid. You feel good about putting them down,” Peter notes. With interchangeable lenses and barn doors, the SOL I Blinder transitions seamlessly from intimate theatrical setups to high-energy pantomimes where Peter now uses an entire stock for colourful effects and clean cuts.
In his words: “They’re brilliant. Flexible, reliable, and high-quality. For me, they’ve become an essential tool.”
WL’s Head of Lighting Dom Yates comments: “When we first saw the SOL I Blinder, we knew it would have a place in our rental fleet. Its modular design and extensive creative flexibility allow lighting designers to seamlessly connect multiple units into large custom arrays, and we’re happy to see they are already a hit on various shows!”
Elation – SŌL I BLINDER 8 Set Kit & Accessories
The IP65 rated SŌL I BLINDER is a compact yet powerful 250w RGB+Lime+Amber+White LED fixture delivering over 8000lm of vibrant output.