Lights Control Rigging (LCR) is one of the UK’s most respected lighting rental companies, trusted by globally recognized artists and major event producers alike. Among its most ambitious projects is Ed Sheeran’s monumental world tour, a groundbreaking in-the-round production that redefines how audiences experience live performance. At the heart of this endeavor is a passionate team of lighting professionals, including a former freelancer whose career evolved from school stagecraft into international tour design. This case study explores LCR’s journey, their collaborative approach, and how the WYSIWYG lighting design, previz and production suite played a central role in designing, executing, and refining one of the largest touring productions in the world.
From School Stages to Global Shows
The path to becoming a lighting designer often follows a winding route. For one of LCR’s lead designers, Cobain Schofield, it began with working school productions using a basic lighting rig. Though he pursued an unrelated degree at university, his passion for lighting never faded. Cobain continued gaining hands-on experience through the student union and its semi-professional live performance venues. What started as a hobby matured into a freelance career, leading to operating and designing for live shows and eventually, a full-time position with LCR more than three years ago.
Thanks to a background in various CAD software tools, including AutoCAD and GIS software, Cobain arrived at LCR already equipped with the technical proficiency needed for success. Experience with pre-visualization platforms like WYSIWYG gave him a head start in producing show-ready designs and paperwork, enabling him to hit the ground running.
Leveraging WYSIWYG for Precision and Efficiency
CAST’s WYSIWYG quickly became a foundational tool in LCR’s workflow. The software’s intuitive interface, combined with its robust visualization capabilities, allows the team to model, simulate, and troubleshoot designs in a controlled digital environment before any equipment is loaded into a truck.
The team now uses WYSIWYG for nearly every project, from developing lighting plots and rigging schematics to running structural and network analyses. These files are assembled into detailed documentation packages – comprehensive “instruction manuals” for building each show. WYSIWYG’s visualization features also empower LCR to work remotely with designers, tweaking concepts in real time to meet budgetary or logistical constraints while maintaining creative integrity.
Custom fabrication is also part of the LCR offering, and WYSIWYG supports this with custom-built libraries. Collaboration with CAST’s libraries department allows the team to drag and drop these elements directly into their plots, streamlining complex setups.
The Ed Sheeran World Tour: Innovation at Scale
Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷× (Mathematics) Tour is a landmark project not only for LCR but for the global touring industry. Designed in-the-round to ensure every audience member gets an equal, immersive experience, the tour posed major structural and logistical challenges. With no overhead rigging points, the stage design relied on six massive masts connected by tensioned cabling that supported a giant video “halo” and motorized chandeliers.
Show designer Mark Cunniffe worked in close partnership with Ed’s creative team to choreograph lighting that seamlessly follows the artist as he moves around the circular stage. Many of these innovations required early-stage modeling and testing in WYSIWYG, where everything from lighting angles to fixture placements could be visualized and optimized.
Since WYSIWYG integrates with other platforms via MVR files, it facilitated efficient collaboration with Ed’s video team. Model reviews, calls, and continuous feedback loops helped both teams solve problems early and refine the design with confidence.
Development, Deployment, and On-Site Adaptation
Design work for the tour began during the late stages of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite the uncertainty, LCR forged ahead, investing in the project’s creative and logistical infrastructure. Fixtures were still in development when the design phase kicked off, with manufacturers like Ayrton and GLP collaborating with the team to release entirely new lights tailored to the tour’s requirements.
Previsualization took place on-site at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, UK, where the structure was assembled for the first time. WYSIWYG was integral to this process, enabling the team to adapt their pre-built models in real time as conditions on the ground changed. The support from CAST’s development and libraries teams ensured the models stayed accurate and functional throughout.
Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷× (Mathematics) Tour is a landmark project not only for LCR but for the global touring industry. Designed in-the-round to ensure every audience member gets an equal, immersive experience, the tour posed major structural and logistical challenges. With no overhead rigging points, the stage design relied on six massive masts connected by tensioned cabling that supported a giant video “halo” and motorized chandeliers.
Show designer Mark Cunniffe worked in close partnership with Ed’s creative team to choreograph lighting that seamlessly follows the artist as he moves around the circular stage. Many of these innovations required early-stage modeling and testing in WYSIWYG, where everything from lighting angles to fixture placements could be visualized and optimized.
Since WYSIWYG integrates with other platforms via MVR files, it facilitated efficient collaboration with Ed’s video team. Model reviews, calls, and continuous feedback loops helped both teams solve problems early and refine the design with confidence.
Development, Deployment, and On-Site Adaptation
Design work for the tour began during the late stages of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite the uncertainty, LCR forged ahead, investing in the project’s creative and logistical infrastructure. Fixtures were still in development when the design phase kicked off, with manufacturers like Ayrton and GLP collaborating with the team to release entirely new lights tailored to the tour’s requirements.
Previsualization took place on-site at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, UK, where the structure was assembled for the first time. WYSIWYG was integral to this process, enabling the team to adapt their pre-built models in real time as conditions on the ground changed. The support from CAST’s development and libraries teams ensured the models stayed accurate and functional throughout.
Beyond the Tour: A Culture of Creativity and Collaboration
While the Ed Sheeran tour stands as a milestone, it’s just one part of LCR’s diverse portfolio. The company has worked on productions ranging from London New Year’s Eve celebrations, broadcast live from the River Thames to Dua Lipa Radical Optimism World Tour. They’ve contributed to high-profile television events like ITV’s New Year’s Big Bash and even supported Team Great Britain during the Olympics and Paralympics.
WYSIWYG’s Role in LCR’s Growth and Recognition
WYSIWYG software is deeply embedded in LCR’s success story. The company has won the TPi Award for Favourite Lighting Rental Company four times in five years – an achievement that reflects both creative excellence and operational precision. WYSIWYG helps LCR deliver consistent quality at scale, enabling them to grow from a small team into a globally recognized provider.
Looking Ahead
LCR continues to expand, with projects including Ed Sheeran’s next tour and the BBC’s Big Night of the Musicals. Every new job begins in WYSIWYG, with teams redrawing and refining designs to match venue limitations and client needs. As LCR’s footprint grows, so does their demand for innovation and WYSIWYG remains a critical ally in meeting that demand.
Through collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge tools, CAST along with partners like LCR is helping to shape the future of live entertainment – one immersive experience at a time.