The system is controlling twenty 500kg VariStar motors (with a speed of up to 30 metres a minute) which are moving four large 'shamrocks' - irregular triangular shaped trussing set pieces - dressed with reflective scrims and four bars each rigged with four Vari*Lite 2500 Spots upstage. All these pieces appear to 'float' in and out during the performance - such is the smoothness and accuracy of K2.
The system was specified by lighting and visual designer Geert Vanhout, who first saw it used with Belgian rock superstars Clouseau. It's being supplied by leading Belgian production company EML who are also supplying lighting and sound to the Night of The Proms production.
Three motors each are used on the four wavy sided triangles (actually constructed from an assortment of four different angled circular trussing sections), with two motors each on the four bars of lights that fly in and out very fast, resembling an oscillating effect. The triangles also come in and out throughout the performance to form different shapes over the stage.
Night of the Proms is an exceptionally demanding show for which to produce visuals. It runs for three hours and features a 90-piece orchestra, 50 choir, five piece electric band and a guest artists line up which currently includes UB40, Tears For Fears, Ike Turner, Ruth Jacott, Tony Henry, John Miles, Il Novecento and Fine Fleur. Each year, Vanhout is under pressure to create something new and original, and each time he keeps coming up with eye-catching new elements.
This year, using the K2 for movement and therefore as an integral element of the visuals was a major innovation, along with a large expanse of ShowLED LED cloth wrapping the stage at the back.
The K2 system is being looked after and operated on Night of the Proms by Vincent Ex. It's his first time using it, there's nearly 60 cues in the show, and he's suitably impressed with the user-friendliness and functionality. He learnt to programme it very quickly and says, "The speed and accuracy allow the creation of very inventive and complex effects and moves very quickly. It's simple and logical to programme."
He adds that the associated Kinesys wiring and rigging system for the motors is also very straightforward - which is ideal for touring. The show features the 20 Varistars, 20 Kinesys Elevation 1+ controllers, a Kinesys Array PD-ES, one Array 485 data hub and the K2 software driving it all.
Vanhout says: "The speed and controllability K2 gives is incredible -it's made a big difference to the aesthetics of the show. There has also not been one millimetre of drift in any of the pre-set positions or moves throughout all the shows.
(Chris Henry)
