The 10 new motors - a mix of half and one tonne Liftkets - were used to control four extra high resolution video screens, two punchbags that dropped in for one song, plus the tips of a massive pair of wings that opened out at the end of the second encore.
The 10 original Kinesys 500kg 400mm/s vari-speed motors were utilised to suspend five lighting trusses, supplied as part of the lighting rental package from Neg Earth Lights. The other two 1 tonne Kinesys hoists flew the centre hi-res Barco I-12 screen that was in the original show.
For the updated Homecoming tour, all five video screens glided into and out of view at strategic moments during the set. The flown lighting trusses also moved to different positions throughout the show, maximising their role of forming striking architectural shapes across the stage - from arches to zig zags to staggered asymmetric looks. They were clad with scuffed metal fascias that lit extremely well, accentuating their form.
Kinesys' flexible proprietary Vector software was used to control the system, in the capable hands of operator Barry Branford. He has now used the system on several different tours including The Darkness and Muse and says: "It's the best moving motor system I have ever encountered ... and I've seen and dealt with a few!"
He adds: "It's also been really reliable and so I have great confidence in it, Coming out on tour with a system that can run any motor at any speed is an extremely versatile effect."
The initial Showgirl tour was also the first time that Foster had used a Kinesys system, which he's since gone on to use again, including for George Michael's acclaimed 25 Live tour in Autumn 2006. He says: "It's definitely the best - it does everything I want it to do and more," adding yet more scope to his creative horizons.
Showgirl's head rigger was Dave Rowe, who'd initially used the Kinesys kit on a Duran Duran tour in 2004. This is where Foster first saw it in action, and was impressed by its smoothness and accuracy.
In conjunction with set builders Total Fabrications and Chris Cronin, Kinesys were also involved in devising a control system for the contra-rotating 'wedding cake' double revolve that concluded the spectacular Busby Berkeley section of the show.
(Chris Henry)
