Melbourne-based Front of House Productions (FOHP) has significantly expanded its moving light inventory with the purchase of Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy fixtures – snaffling 50 in one go!
“For many of our shows, quantity matters,” commented Michael Eather, FOHP’s Lighting Director. “LDs want impact through numbers, so purchasing 50 units was simply a logical decision.”
Michael had been on the lookout for a next-generation beam fixture that combined serious output with practical touring considerations. The brief was clear: IP-rated, CMY colour mixing, lightweight, and powerful enough to compete in high-energy environments. Once the Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy was released, he looked at the specs and discovered it was more than compelling.
“When the Ultimo Sharpy was released, it immediately caught my attention,” he explained. “On paper, it ticked every box, but we wanted to see how it really performed.”
The Ultimo Sharpy delivers an impressive power-to-size ratio in a compact housing. With an IP66 rating, advanced optics, fast and true CMY colour mixing, and signature Sharpy beam precision, it is designed to withstand demanding conditions while producing striking mid-air effects and rapid motion.
Weight was a critical factor in FOHP’s decision-making.
“When you’re hanging 40 or 50 fixtures in a rig, especially in venues with strict load limits, every kilogram counts,” Michael said. “You need power without compromising the rig.”
Michael requested a demo of the Ultimo Sharpy, and Show Technology was swift to oblige. He decided to test it against a wide range of hybrid and beam fixtures from multiple manufacturers.
“The Ultimo Sharpy simply blew them all away,” he declared. “It was a night where it was just the right level of light, misty rain out front of the warehouse, and the Ultimo Sharpy shot them all out. The beam seemed to go on forever. It was mighty impressive.”
Several lighting designers were invited to the shootout, and the Ultimo Sharpy was hands down the number one contender. After that, the purchase seemed like a no-brainer to Michael.
Michael admits that he has always had a soft spot for the original Claypaky Sharpy. “You know what you’re getting with a Sharpy,” he said. “The Ultimo carries that familiarity, the same colour wheel DNA and feature set, but with a modern evolution.”
He also highlighted the appeal of the discharge lamp source. “There’s a quality to discharge that I still love. It offers something I haven’t quite seen replicated in LED or laser source fixtures yet.”
In addition to improved output, Michael noted that the Ultimo Sharpy is noticeably faster than its predecessor. “They’re incredibly quick, so quick that Claypaky even included a Sharpy emulation mode to slow them down to match the original Sharpy. That tells you everything,” he laughed. “In certain effects, they almost feel like moving mirror fixtures. They also run quietly, which is important for corporate and broadcast environments.”
The addition of a linear prism was another standout feature. “It’s one of the features I always wished the original Sharpy had,” he said.
Since arriving at the end of last year, the Ultimo Sharpys have rarely been in the warehouse.
“They’ve already been out on several major shows, with corporate work filling the gaps between,” Michael explained. “They’ve quickly become a core staple of our inventory.”
For FOHP, the investment reflects both current demand and futureproofing.
“With IP rating, CMY mixing, wide beam capabilities, speed, and lightweight construction, there isn’t much that comes close,” Michael said. “Claypaky has always been a trusted, reliable brand for us, and this fixture continues that legacy.”
Purpose-built for demanding environments and modern production expectations, the Ultimo Sharpy carries the heritage of the original into a new era, faster, brighter, and tougher than ever.
