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Bandit and Erotica
The 12th and busiest Erotica show to date capitalised on the incredible popularity of the “largest lifestyle show for freethinking adults who are comfortable with their sexuality”. It offered hours of fashion, fun, entertainment, frivolity, excitement, arts and erotic indulgence for over 65,000 people pouring through the gates of the three-day show. This show was the first time Erotica had a full nudity performance licence which added an extra spark of passion to the event.
Bandit’s Lester Cobrin project managed, working closely with the show’s technical production supplier Derek Halliday Productions and lighting designer Ben Fox. It was Bandit’s second Erotica show – the first being in Manchester back in March - and Derek Halliday has been involved since the exhibition’s inception in 1997.
The action-packed 50 minute, four-times-a-day stage show, produced and choreographed by Torture Garden, was the exhibition’s central attraction. It featured aerial performance, dancing – including with fire and water - and a catwalk parade, so lighting had to be highly versatile and each fixture is worked hard.
This latest lightshow also has to contend with daylight for two shows a day, courtesy of Olympia’s glass ceiling, and a high degree of ambient lighting the rest of the time.
Ben Fox has lit Erotica’s stage show for the last four years, and rehearsal time is always limited. The usual routine is a day to rig and build, and then approximately eight hours of ‘live’ rehearsal time, working with the show’s content and music for the first time, to prepare before the event opens. Consequently, the rig has to run like clockwork and the programming has to be fast and accurate with no error margins. Certain running elements of the show are also left open for day-to-day improvisation, adding additional real-time fun.
The set design is developed organically from show to show, containing certain constants – like revolves, dancing poles, etc - and some variants. Lighting also has certain specifics and formulas which are ‘givens’ for any Erotica show.
It’s designed around a 40’ box truss and features over 100 Pars, Martin MAC 600 moving lights and MAC 2ks plus some Moles and floor Pars with scrollers – a tidy rig for the variety of looks produced.
Special effects for the 2004 London Erotica show included an animated rain curtain, with the water jets DMX controlled from the Wholehog II desk and with effective lighting from the MAC 600s firing in from the sides, the intensity and rapid change of colour is very spectacular.
Derek Halliday has seen a distinct improvement since he started using Bandit as lighting supplier, and reckons it’s made a massive difference to the smooth running of the show. “When we’re pushed for time as we always are at Erotica, it’s crucial for kit to come out well prepped. Not only does Bandit do this to an incredibly high standard, their crew know the gear inside out, and have a great attitude and work ethic.”
Lester Cobrin comments: “For obvious reasons this is one of the most exciting and intriguing shows in my calendar and every so often I get calls from crew donating their services for free!”
Bandit’s crew was Martin Garnish (chief) and Charlie Denny (technician).
29th November 2004
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