Summit's main task was to rig a series of discreet catenary wires between the courtyard's second floor level balconies, onto which over 200 artistically presented orchids were attached forming a ceiling of flowers and looking fabulous. The orchid roots were encased in little parcels of damp compost to ensure they stayed fresh for the event.
Summit's team led by Jon Bray worked closely with production manager Haydn Taylor. "It was an extremely stylish event in a beautiful setting that needed dressing appropriately and sympathetically, " explains Taylor.
The centrepiece vehicle was craned 140 ft over the top of the buildings and onto the floor of the courtyard. A jazz band were stationed on the balcony and eight tango dancers down below entertained 150 top journalists and VIPs from the automotive industry.
In addition to the orchid wires, Summit also rigged a very neat and tidy eight 2.5m ground support system on the balcony to provide moving light positions, and installed a series of vertical truss runs either side of the garden, also utilised for lighting rigging. The LD was Tony Hall from Essential Lighting.
Time was exceptionally tight, with the get-in commencing at 3am on the day for a show that evening. "As is often the case, this was always our biggest challenge of the job," says Bray, "that and the fact that and the delicate nature of the project," - 'rigging' and 'delicacy' not necessarily being two descriptions immediately associated together. "Thorough advanced planning ensured it went smoothly on the day" concludes Bray.
(Chris Henry)
