In the heart of London’s financial district, the new purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre invites audiences to experience Suzanne Collins’ internationally acclaimed The Hunger Games live on stage for the first time. This 1,200-seat venue brings the story to life through extraordinary stunts, illusions and a visually driven environment to transport audiences to the heart of the Capitol.
With immersive video central to the storytelling, reliable signal management became essential to the show’s success. To support this, Lightware’s standalone MX2 matrix switcher with HDMI 2.0 and the 1G AVoIP Gemini GVN system were selected to ensure uninterrupted performances night after night.
The show’s producer and director envisioned a video system that worked as an extension of the environment. ArtAV, a full-service technical solutions provider for the arts industry, worked closely with video designer Tal Rosner and senior video engineer Arthur Skinner to design the system, supplying over 130sqm of Unilumin P3.9 DVLED.
Staged in the round, with no two seats offering the same view, the production team developed the ‘West Tower’ and later the ‘East Tower’ as central visual focus points. These structures serve as scenic elements as well as a key video tool, with performers interacting directly with the LED surfaces during choreographed fight scenes. A 38-metre ticker was also installed at floor level between the stalls and the stage, bringing dynamic content to audience level. Additionally, six smaller screens extend across the front of the balcony and boxes, adding to the sense of participation by linking audience members to their assigned districts.
To ensure consistent, high-quality visuals across this complex display network, Lightware’s MX2-8x8-DH4DPIO-A was deployed as the main matrix switcher.
The MX2 matrices deliver 4K60 video signals over HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort with ultra-low latency, making them ideal for time-critical live applications. In a live theatrical environment where signal interruptions can directly impact performance continuity, the MX2 provides essential operational confidence, allowing the team to focus on creative execution rather than technical risk.
Behind the scenes, Lightware’s Gemini GVN KVM system is instrumental in assisting the complex video workflow, particularly in post-production and rehearsal.
Control of the entire system is managed via Stream Deck Studio interfaces integrated into each animator’s custom workstation, further simplifying this complex workflow, and enabling real time source switching and monitoring.
The Hunger Games: On Stage demonstrates how creative design and advanced video engineering can come together to deliver an audience-centric theatrical experience. Lightware’s MX2 matrix switcher and Gemini GVN system provide the dependable backbone needed to support the show’s complex network of displays, enabling the team to immerse audiences in the world of The Hunger Games while maintaining the reliability required for a technically ambitious, long-running theatrical production.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
