Viper Adds Atmosphere To Mysterious Story of “The Lost Colony”

A pair of Look Solutions Viper DMX-fog generators are adding atmosphere to the already mysterious story of “The Lost Colony,” the symphonic outdoor drama celebrating its 70th anniversary in performance at the Waterside Theater on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. A mix of music, dance and drama, “The Lost Colony” explores the disappearance of English colonists whose settlement predated Jamestown, Virginia. “The Lost Colony” runs annually from June 1-August 20 and is produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association.

Look Solutions’ Viper is a very powerful, compact fog generator capable of fine adjustment of its output from a tiny fog cloud to the thickest fog. Its simple handling and easy operation make for quick set ups.

Pyrotechnician Marcus Morphew first employs the Viper at the top of Act I. A ghostly choir, asked by the colonists to tell their story, opens the show as fog rolls in behind them from underneath the center stage area drawing the audience into the story. In Act II the Viper enhances the eerie feeling as troops reach the deserted settlement, a boat looming in the distance. The Viper returns in a spectacular battle sequence between Indians and colonists in which a cabin is set ablaze through the use of lighting effects and smoke effects rolling out of the Viper. “It looks amazing,” says Morphew. “The Viper really adds to the lighting effects in the fire scene.”

According to Morphew, the new Vipers have “worked out really well. I’ve tried them at 90, 80 and 70 percent output, and they produce enough fog to cover what I want. Hooking up the foggers with standard DMX 512 control was very simple, and the machine itself is very easy to maintain and run. I’ve hardly had to look at the manual!”

About The Lost Colony Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, The Lost Colony’s 70th anniversary season opens June 1 and plays nightly except Sunday through Aug. 20, 2007 at Manteo’s Waterside Theatre, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It is the nation’s premier and longest-running symphonic drama. During the summer, The Lost Colony produces other shows and special events as well. This year’s lineup includes Cinderella, South Pacific, Shakespeare Under the Stars, Tea with the Queen, Backstage Tours and more. For tickets and information, go to