The Kinesys system was specified for the lengthy UK and European leg of the tour by show designer and LD Chris Medvitz. PRG's account handler Carol Croft says, "We had been looking at buying a system for some time, and then this came up - so the time was absolutely right."
On the Richie tour, the Kinesys system's Elevation 1+ motor drives are working in conjunction with 28 tonne Lodestar JJ vari-speed motors, being controlled by Kinesys Vector software, operated by Blaine Dracup.
The Motors are suspending nine lighting pods, eight of them each contain six Vari*Lites, and the ninth has ten 5K Skypan fixtures. All are hung over the stage, with the Skypan pod right above the piano riser.
The pods are static for most of the first half of the show and then start moving extensively for the latter part. They start doing basic moves up and down and tilting toward the audience, and by the end of the set, they're swinging around "at numerous precarious angles". The Skypan pod is saved solely for Richie's blockbusting hit Hello, evoking another striking look that is completely new to the audience in the encore.
Medvitz explains how they wanted a really clean looking show with some variety in terms of how the set and lighting are utilised. "Moving elements holding lighting are a good way of accomplishing this, and also efficient budget-wise." For sightlines, the set had to be open 270 degrees from downstage centre, so the pods "create a sense of depth and verticality when needed, whilst also keeping things open when required."
Vector is the first motion control system that Dracup has operated (he is also a lighting technician), He reports, "Vector is very good. I went to Kinesys for a half-day training and picked it up easily. The system is quick, logical and totally civilised to operate and control."
(Jim Evans)
