In designing the show, lighting director and programmer Arturo Ollandini collaborated closely with lighting and set designer Peter Barnes and show producer Tim Byrne. This year, the tour features the exceptionally strong line-up of the final eight contestants - including winner Shayne Ward and runners-up Andy Abraham and Journey South. A troupe of dancers adds a further dynamic to the production.
The overhead rig is dominated by a large, gently raked, X-shaped truss skeleton, constructed from Tomcat 12" trussing, and clad in red and white gauze fabric supplied by Hangman - who supplied all the soft goods for the show. This is mirrored on the floor by a scenic 'X' with a similar rake angle on the opposite axis. Upstage, and to the sides, are two chevron-shaped set pieces, which neatly frame the side-stage, continuing the lines of the stage's 'X' geometry and highlighted with Pulsar ChromaBanks.
Below the flown 'X' is a diamond-shaped LED video screen - supplied by XL Video, which is also flanked by ChromaBanks attached to scenic surround panels. The screen is primarily used for IMAG during the show, from a live camera mix directed by Billy Robinson.
Rigged onto the X and rear truss are Martin Mac 2Ks and Mac 600s, and these are the main stage and set workhorse fixtures. The stage floor features more Mac 2Ks and 600s. The set 'X' on the floor features over 100in-built Raylites. To maintain the sightlines of the stage and its various Xs, front-light on the performers is primarily provided from four Lycian 2K followspots.
The short (two-day) production rehearsal period Newcastle's Metroradio Arena presented a major challenge for the team who had to produce looks that would hold the audience's attention and steadily build the atmosphere through the show's two-and-a-half hour duration, culminating in the big, high-impact finale. Divided into two halves, the fast-paced show begins with solo performances by five of the eight X-Factor finalists in reverse order; the second half kicks off with Journey South, leading into Andy Abrahams and then Shayne Ward, before the grand finale, starring all performers and dancers. "Each performance needed its own visual style and looks," says Ollandini.
The different styles and personalities of the performers aided the process to some degree, and from an expediently sized lighting rig for an arena show, Ollandini created a colourful and energetic two hours of entertainment, peppered with a selection of optical surprises for the final stages.
All lighting - set and stage - is controlled by Ollandini via a Wholehog II console. "As always with Bandit, the kit was impeccably prepped," he says. Bandit crew members are Steve Rusling, Rob Starksfield and Martin Garnish.
The tour is being production managed by Sarah Hollis for Production North, with audio supplied by Wigwam and pyros - also new for 2006 - from Pyro Junkies.
