Love Shack visits all the major receiving houses in the country. The schedule is tight, with a Monday morning get-in to be ready for a show that evening, followed by a full week of shows and a get out after curtain down on the Saturday. Entec's Noreen O'Riordan says: "Theatre is a relatively new discipline to us and I am totally surprised by the amount of work Jeremy and Gareth get through, Love Shack averages eight shows per week plus fit-up and de-rig. We are very fortunate that the two lighting guys provided by Kim Gavin are well established theatre technicians. They came in to Entec for the prep, and guided us through a meticulous build period that was vital to such a gruelling schedule."
With a simple set, a lot of emphasis is on the lighting. The touring system is suspended on an over-stage A-type box truss plus an advance truss for their front lights. They're also tying in to the venue's FOH lights to boost the front washes - a solution that is proving a lot easier and more efficient than flying in their own FOH truss in most cases.
The rig consists of eight Vari*Lite 2402 washes and 10 2202 profiles making up the primary moving light content, plus four Martin Mac 550s. "The VLs are fantastic," says Duncan. It's the first time he's used Vari*Lites so extensively on a touring rig. Generics include a wide selection of PARs, ACLs and Source Fours. Six James Thomas PixelLine 1044 battens complete the 'conventional' count, used for set dressing and illuminating the bar trucks. The control desk is a Wholehog II - with approximately 150 cues programmed - and dimming is Avolites ART 2000.
It's the first time Jeremy Duncan has worked with Entec, and he's found it a positive experience: "Theatre is a relatively new market for Entec, and they are really listening to what we want and need on tour - our requirements are very different to a rock 'n' roll show. Good support is absolutely essential for us, and there's always someone at the end of the phone at Entec - whatever time you call".
(Lee Baldock)
