The project was managed for Bandit by Lester Cobrin who has worked with Gaskell several times in the past. Gaskell and his partner Nick Gray of Renegade Lighting were asked onboard by event producers 9PR, who are regular clients.
Lester Cobrin comments, "Jonny is one of the most talented and enthusiastic LD's I've had the pleasure of working with. He has tremendous vision and the end product is always refreshing and innovative."
Gaskell had to light the show and catwalk area in a 150ft long marquee, featuring a central stage area with four runways coming off it at right angles and an imposing scenic entrance at one end. Outside this room, the Syon House conservatory area was transformed into a night club space in which guests could chill out, and Gaskell's brief also included the decorative illumination of the gardens. The set and stage was designed by Andy Cobb, as was the spectacular Bedouin tent bar and eating area outside.
Gaskell lit the runways with 130 Source Four profiles, hung from overhead trusses. The stage had two concentric trusses above it, complete with a 4ft diameter mirrorball hung in the centre. The Source Fours were used to give smooth and even lighting on the models and to emphasise the natural tones of their skin and the clothes.
Everything was ground supported. In the show area, this entailed two 4-legged ground support systems, one above the stage in the centre and one at the 'entrance' end of the room. These were used to support all the overhead trusses. Dave Roe was the head rigger and all the rigging equipment and trussing was supplied by Jon Bray at Summit Steel.
The Top Shop show was split into men and women's sections. The Men's show was required to look grungier with a more rock 'n' roll vibe, so Gaskell used 16 bars of ACLs, 12 Moles and eight Atomic strobes to add some classic rock 'n' roll visual moments during the performance.
The moving lights were 24 Martin MAC 2000 Profiles and 20 MAC 2K washes plus 20 High End PC beams - all spread out over centre stage and along the catwalk trusses. Gaskell operated the entire system using a WholeHog II and a Wing.
The gardens were illuminated with approximately 25 MBI floods plus numerous Source Fours and other lanterns, and the bars and the Bedouin tent area were highlighted with Source Fours.
(Jim Evans)
