Inside the Royal Opera House with igus®

12th February 2026

London’s iconic Royal Opera House hosts igus UK and trade press for an exclusive backstage tour.

The Royal Opera House is home to world-class opera and ballet, with their elaborate performances relying on the latest stage technology for pristine execution. After 25 years, motion plastics manufacturer, igus, returned to install their newest stage technology solution, zig-zag energy chain systems, ensuring each performance remains seamless.

A long legacy of innovation

The Royal Ballet and Opera is a cultural powerhouse hosting over 250 performances each year. Its state-of-the-art stage technology was rebuilt at the turn of the millennium with the help of igus and has now been updated with the advanced ‘zig-zag’ cable management system. These upgrades ensure increased reliability, speed, and unobtrusive operation for lighting battens and other critical stage components.

igus supplied 20 zig-zag energy chain systems to manage essential services such as power, data, audio lines, and fibre optics across the stage. Designed for durability and efficiency, each system operates at speeds of up to 250mm/s with minimal maintenance, guaranteeing zero downtime during performances. Programme lead, Musa Halimeh, headed the tour of their impressive facilities, enabling igus and the trade press to see the systems in action above the stage. Although the old systems were still fully functioning on replacement, the new systems are expected to outlast their predecessors.

Sustainability through the chainge programme

As part of their global sustainability initiative, the previous cable management systems were returned to igus to be recycled through the chainge programme. This programme not only reduces and repurposes industrial waste but also supports social impact projects in partnership with HMP Birmingham . Working with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, chainge provides offenders with hands-on experience in dismantling and recycling technical components, helping them develop valuable skills for future employment. This initiative is dedicated to providing a circular economy and highlighting the importance of social responsibility, ensuring that innovation goes hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship and community rehabilitation.

The partnership between igus and the Royal Ballet and Opera continues, with plans already underway to convert the sixth lighting batten and introduce other solutions such as e-spool® cable reels to further enhance stage operations. Both organisations remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology while prioritising sustainability and social impact.

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