Italy - Special Effects company Le Maitre has supplied two of its Stadium Hazers to Milan's prestigious opera house, La Scala. The Hazers are in use for a new production of Tannhauser, at the specific request of the show's designer, David Jacques, who is head of stage design at the Department of Theatre Arts, California State University. Jacques explains: "The design heavily depends on atmospheric haze. There are only a few scenic pieces and the spaces are completely defined by light. As I have had many experiences with the problems associated with how atmospheric haze affects opera singers, actors, and dancers, I insisted that the company use the Stadium Hazers for this production."

Jacques had previously used Le Maitre's Neutron Hazers many times before and enjoyed the positive reviews from the performers about its tasteless and non-irritating fluid. Jacques continues: "As the stage at La Scala is huge, there was no way that the Neutrons would be sufficient. I was happy to see that the new Stadium Hazer uses the Neutron fluid and therefore insisted that La Scala specify two Stadium Hazers specifically for this production."

He adds: "It has been a great success, the Stadium Hazers were certainly sufficient to blanket the entire volume of this enormous stage with haze. In addition, not one of the world-class opera singers complained about the haze. I feel that this is a major coup for Le Maitre as singers usually always complain about the haze. They usually cut the haze at La Scala after the first rehearsal. Not this time!"

Le Maite's Rick Wilson comments: "We have been working hard to develop a 'haze friendly' machine, I feel that the results at La Scala and one or two other major international productions have proved that we have achieved that goal."

(Lee Baldock)


Latest Issue. . .