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Kinesys are All White on Mamma Mia
It’s the first time Kinesys has supplied an all-white system, and it has been purchased by show producers Littlestar Services, and replaces a previously rented motor system.
Four of the Kinesys hoists (the fifth is a spare) are being used to move two of the show’s lighting trusses in and out during the fast paced, high energy performance’s more disco-tastic moments – which they do in great style.
Kinesys’ Dave Weatherhead says: “I think the Kinesys system appealed to the production for several reasons – from the practical, such as easy rigging of the hoists motor down, to the aesthetic, namely the ability to supply the entire system in white with just a few weeks notice.”
The Kinesys Elevation 1+ takes a new approach to the challenge of variable speed hoists. Mounted close to the motor, it has a 32A 3-phase inlet and outlet allowing units to be ‘daisy-chained’ together, with data being provided via an RS485 communications link. The ability to run the hoists from a ‘hot lead and pickle’ also proves to be a huge hit with production crews as it allows the hoists to be installed and flown without needing to setup and install the full computer control system and cabling.
Getting the powder coating spot on was the main challenge of the project. The hoists are finished in a high gloss white, and Kinesys had special white chain bags made to match, plus white covers for the controllers. Cables were supplied in grey instead of the usual black, crucial when every element was on show - the trusses were even hung on white span sets.
The new system was installed in Tallin, Estonia, by Dave Weatherhead and is being operated on tour by Darren Williamson. The show continues its Europe-wide tour throughout 2005 and beyond, still playing to sold out houses.
Mamma Mia is the latest in a series of recent Kinesys theatrical projects including the current UK tour of ‘Starlight Express’, and the recent supply of a motion control system to Nippy Industries for use by the Royal Shakespeare Company at their home in Stratford upon Avon.
29th April 2005
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