Growing in size since the show began and adding a new city for each year it has taken place, this year The Baby Show visited Glasgow SECC, Birmingham NEC and London's Olympia. The live element of the show has also developed in line with the show's growth, with it now taking a 'main stage' position within the exhibition hall.
Creative consultancy Eight Freestyle managed the creation and choreography of the shows, bringing in production manager Dick Tee to design and oversee the production of the stage. The stage had to incorporate a catwalk built wide enough for buggies and children to perform on and a performance area for presenters, Sean Canning of Eight Freestyle explained: "I wanted the stage to have a new softer image this year, incorporating curves and different colours. Over the years, the exhibition has grown and so has the stage and performances, which has led to the need for a more professional production and a theatre approach, plus working with babies means health and safety is stringent."
Olympia's natural lighting meant minimal overhead lighting was needed, but instead the lighting was creatively designed to 'lift the set' and attract an audience, with DPL installing the lighting requirements. ITE took care of the PA and Flat Out built the stage set.
(Jim Evans)
