The impressive architecture of the temporary structure featured 14 large arches, the largest at 85m wide and 26m high. It had an overall weight loading capacity of approximately 100 tonnes and was designed by Jeremy Thom, production designer for the DTFF event.
In addition to the seating tribunes (also supplied by Al Laith), it also housed the 23m wide screen, a full orchestra stage, several technical areas for sound, lighting and projection and backstage facilities like dressing and green rooms. The project was managed for Al Laith by Jo Marshall.
The complex and demanding brief for the structure required it to be capable of hosting a world premier screening; to accommodate the 88 piece Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra who played a live soundtrack composed by Nitin Sawhney to the 1929 classic silent movie, A Throw of Dice, and to stage multiple live performances and film screenings as well as the finale concert.
The arches were constructed from Serious Stages' Space Truss, of which Al Laith has large quantities in stock in its yard in Dubai. This is one of the products offered by the Event Services division of the company, launched in March 2010 as part of a long term triumvirate trading agreement between Al Laith, Serious Stages and Atlantic Enterprises from the UK.
The equipment to build the Katara Open Air Theatre - totalling about 1200 tonnes - was road freighted from Dubai in 62 trucks via Saudi Arabia. The basic structure itself took two weeks to erect, and the whole project was delivered from conception to completion in just two months.
Says Jo Marshall, "These are the type of challenging projects in which Al Laith Event Services can really engage and excel, and it's been an amazing experience, from which everyone has learned. The atmosphere and camaraderie on site was incredible, and everyone is very proud to have been involved in creating a distinctive and beautiful structure for this landmark event."
The 50 crew supplied by Al Laith comprised 35 from Dubai, and 15 Serious/Atlantic riggers from the UK. The Dubai crew have all been trained to work on these roofing and staging systems, another integral idea to setting up Al Laith Event Services, to have more of these specialised skills available in the Middle East. John Wilson was the project manager for Serious Stages and Jeremy Mosdell the roofing co-ordinator.
The Open Air Theatre production manager was John Adkins, and lighting was designed by Adam Bassett, who ensured that the intimate feel of the venue was preserved and the structure had an additional and different presence at night.
Doha based CCG provided some lighting and two distinct PAs for audio which were housed in the structure. One was a Dolby 7.1 system supporting films that met both Dolby and SMPTE specifications for theatre/film soundtrack, plus a separate system for all the musical and live performances.
(Jim Evans)
