This musical has already enjoyed a highly successful West End run, drawing audiences totalling over a quarter of a million. On 3 April it started a full UK tour. Opening at The Manchester Opera House the show will take in 21 venues nationwide and close at The Liverpool Empire Theatre in December 2009.
The tour is being engineered by Marcus Wadham (Lazy Town, Dancing in the Streets), who will be working with the system designed by independent sound designer Richard Brooker and supplied by theatre hire company, Blitz Communications.
Along with a DiGiCo SD8 console and Sennheiser radio mics, Brooker specified Opus Audio for the main FOH system, having previously used the company's products on Daddy Cool at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The system comprises Opus PSD800 and CS850 loudspeakers, augmented by SB118 and SB218 subs, and driven by Opus HD amplification. The foldback system consists of a combination of Meyer, EAW and Tannoy.
Blitz Communications had recently used Audica Professional loudspeakers on a number of AV projects and Chris Jordan, head of sound and theatre, suggested the MICROline as a possible option for the under balcony delay system to Brooker. Not wishing to be biased by the MICROline's size and weight, which would be ideal for touring, Brooker agreed to a blind listening test against established products used for under balcony. The test was arranged by Blitz and the MICROlines won through on audio quality, with eight now being used for the delay system on the tour.
"I have worked in theatre sound for over 25 years," commented Audica Professional sales director, Derek West, "and know this is the most critical of all applications for audio quality. I have also heard Richard Brooker's systems on many occasions and rate him as one of the top designers we have today, so to have Audica Professional products endorsed by his choice is the highest compliment I could ask for."
(Jim Evans)
