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Trafalgar Celebrations Finale in Red, White and Blue
Trafalgar Square in London on 23rd October 2005 became the setting for the greatest sea-based story ever told. The event was authored, created and produced by London-based event Production Company, innovision who worked with a team of experts to help them bring the event to life.
innovison’s aims were to combine artistic production with interactive theatrical techniques. Stage Electrics worked closely with lighting designer Durham Marenghi and innovision to create a sensory impact to engage an audience emotionally with the event content.
The result of was a stunning array of lighting in patriotic colours, breathtakingly illuminating Nelson’s column. Equipment used to create these effects included 16 Space Cannons, four Syncrolite B52’s and a combination of 60 Martin MAC2000W and MAC600NT units.
Trafalgar Square 200 ‘The Spirit of Nelson’ was the final event in the Trafalgar 200 programme marking 200 years of naval history. The programme went far beyond the Battle of Trafalgar and was designed to celebrate the contribution of the Royal Navy and demonstrate its relevance to British life today.
The event worked on two levels. The ‘Big Picture’, which involved large-scale visual performances combining live action and visual effects, combined with a dramatic narrative, telling stories of naval heroism, both past and present. The unseen narrator was Horatio Nelson himself, depicted as a time traveller and showcasing the experiences of his naval colleagues. As well as the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson recalled triumphs such as Dunkirk and the sinking of the Bismarck through to more recent, but lesser-known Navy activities such as peacekeeping in Sierra Leone and anti-drugs enforcement in the Caribbean. Also celebrated was Britain’s merchant excellence, including contemporary heroes such as Ben Ainslie and Ellen MacArthur.
Some 700 crew and cast, many of whom are Navy and Sea Cadet personnel, took part and an estimated audience of 10,000 attended.
Captain Steve Bramley, director, marketing and publicity, Trafalgar 200 commented: “This was a bold and challenging event that we believe struck a chord with all those present. It successfully balanced a strong naval heritage with a contemporary, dynamic maritime presentation.”
Stage Electrics’ production manager John Wallace said: “Rain was always going to play a large factor in this project so a lot of care was taken in keeping the units protected against the elements. The site crew worked very well despite the short load times and I would like to thank Gina Dalton and James Tomlinson for their professionalism throughout. It was good to work with Durham again and with innovision for the first time on such a high profile project.”
2nd November 2005
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