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A Cool Journey Through Time: Cirque de Glace Goes with grandMA
A grandMA light console, grandMA video and one MA NSP all running over Ethernet are at the core of lighting and visuals control for the spectacular Wild Rose production of Cirque de Glace. The show is a unique new concept in ice presentation, combining breathtaking acrobatics and circus artistry with the elegance and magic of ice dance, performed by the Russian Ice Stars.
Lighting was designed and programmed by Tim Routledge of grandPA - the UK's first programming house for the grandMA control platform. He also specified grandMA video which supplies digital scenery and backdrops throughout the show, bringing to life a story recalling the creation of the planet, evolution and humanity's journey to the limits of technology and beyond.
There was never any question when it came to choosing a desk, as grandMA is always Routledge's first! The chance of seamlessly integrating lighting control with visuals via grandMA video was also a big bonus. Wild Rose productions own and use grandMA on their other ice shows anyway so Tim's choice was no surprise.
Routledge explains that, in keeping with the very contemporary style of the show, a complete departure from previous Wild Rose/Russian Ice Stars productions which have all been more traditional, he wanted to bring an arena feel to the stage. This has an extremely clean, precise look (designed by John Spence), complete with white cyc upstage and a series of pale legs, which maximise the impact of the lighting effects and action.
This is where the idea of video also emerged. All the content was produced by Routledge and the show's video designer Sam Clarkson, and programmed by Routledge into the server, which is triggered from the grandMA light running via Timecode from the specially composed audio track. grandMA video is positioned onstage and feeds two Sanyo Xf-47 projectors.
Chief LX Graham Shearing is touring with the show and overseeing technicals. He first used a grandMA console on the previous 2007/08 season show, Beauty & The Beast which utilised a grandMA micro. He was happy with that and is also extremely impressed with the grandMA light. He uses grandMA onPC for backup and plotting, plus grandMA remote software running on a PDA for focusing. "With all these elements combined you have a hugely flexible package," he comments. He adds that the support from MA Lighting UK has also been "Really fantastic". He's also just started running grandMA remote on an Apple iPhone, which he thinks is way cool!
Lighting equipment is arranged over four overhead bars - three over the stage and an advance bar. There are besides others six Clay Paky Alpha Beams 300 and Martin moving lights all overhead.
The show has been on the road playing to packed houses around the UK since October, where lighting is overseen and run by chief LX Graham Shearing. Equipment is being supplied by Stage Electrics.
Photo: Copyright - Louise Stickland
18th May 2009
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