Brilliant
Stages were commissioned to engineer and construct two of the major
set elements for Robbie’s current European tour.
The first
element is a classic Mark
Fisher design, incorporating a fixed riser system fulfilling Production
Manager Wob Roberts needs.
A cross-stage walkway, ramps and two offstage ‘pulpits’
are used to great effect by the dancers, the band being housed at
lower level downstage. The open mesh structure of the pulpits is minimally
supported on three poles, one each side concealing a hydraulically
operated lap dancing pole.
Lighting Designer Liz Berry added custom MR16 battens to the riser
edges incorporating four runs of non-neon, thus highlighting the differing
levels.
The set packs
into only eight carts resulting in extremely fast load-ins and outs
for Head Carpenter, Rick Worsfold. The main riser system was cleverly
engineered by Brilliant Stages Mel Welch so it could be used in different
configurations in the future.
The second
element, the video tracking system, consists of 8 columns of Barco
LED panels, 14 tons in total. Each column is suspended beneath a rack-driven
‘tug’ unit, using Tomcat modified ''Smart' CM motors to
provide vertical motion via a custom designed hoist control system.
The video panels track around the stage on an oval ‘race track’,
all under the control of Productions Iain MacDonald. The track consists
of an 8 inch steel ‘I’ beam suspended approximately 1.4
metres below Stageco’s roof, using a series of v-braces &
hanger plates. The tugs hang from the track via flanged rollers, and
propelled using a geared AC servo motor through a pinion onto a steel
rack. Kevin Edwards, Brilliants senior cad designer played a pivital
role in liaising with and updating all the relevant parties.
