AV Company is a busy rental and production company based in Durban, South Africa, founded in 1993 by Craig Browning who is still running the company together with his son Kegan who heads up the lighting department. They provide lighting, audio, AV and staging for a variety of shows and events in all sectors … and were the first company in Durban to invest in Robe Pointes.
When the time came to purchase some new moving lights they wanted something current – and likely to stay that way for a few years.
In the past they owned Robe 575 series moving lights which worked very well. They wanted a premium international brand and, most importantly … good backup and support, which comes in the form of Robe’s South African distributor DWR and their Durban office run by Nick Barnes.
The Durban production and event market has its own special characteristics and since AV made their initial purchase, the Pointe has become a regular and popular choice of moving lights for both LDs and rental companies.
AV Company has been cross-hiring LEDWash 300s and 600s for their larger projects for some time, so know first-hand that Robe is reliable and well-engineered. “These Pointes are versatile, robust and ideal for our indoor and outdoor work,” says Craig, adding, “Price wise they are ideal for the local market in KZN”.
He also reckons that Pointes will stay in fashion for a few years!
The initial purchase of four Pointes was followed immediately by another four fixtures a month later. AV Company designs shows as well as supplying the kit. “I love them” declares Kegan, “having them available has made a big difference to how effectively we can light a show – even using four or eight units”.
A recent larger show for which AV Company supplied lighting and rigging was an Indaba event for KwaZulu-Natal Tourism at Durban’s well known ICC venue. LD Kurt du Preez specified 12 x Robe BMFL Spots, 12 x Pointes, 12 x LEDWash 300s and 16 x LEDBeam 100s all supplied via AV Company.
MTV is a regular client, and they also lit the VVIP after-party for the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) at Tokio nightclub in the city.
Asked about his perceptions of Robe generally right now, Kegan declares, “I think they are THE best!”
Photo shows AV Company’s Craig (L) and Kegan Browning