Northumberland-based events producer, Culture Creative, who were brought on board to creatively produce the show, commissioned Newcastle-based production company, R&B Group, to provide digital mapping technology to help wow the audience with unforgettable images, lights and animation projected onto the castle walls.
Zoe Bottrell, director of Culture Creative said, "When we were asked by the festival organisers to creatively produce a light show incorporating music and words to tell the tale of the castle's history, we knew immediately that we wanted to do something quite ambitious. We engaged the expertise of R&B Group to provide digital mapping technology, which coupled with the narrative provided by Aonghas MacNeacail and powerful music composed by William Sweeney and performed by Red Note Ensemble, certainly produced a memorable evening."
Situated on rocky headland in East Lothian, Tantallon Castle is exposed to the elements and this produced some challenges to the production team in the run-up to the event.
R&B Group project manager Paul Borthwick commented, "The team had to contend with gale force six winds, which did hamper setting up and testing equipment at times. Luckily, the weather improved for the actual night and the show went smoothly and was enjoyed by all who made the journey to the site.
"Being involved in this event was a great opportunity for us as a company as it was the first time we have used this particular technology on such a large scale in an outdoor location. It was hard and challenging work but a great team effort ensured that everyone was thrilled with the end result."
(Jim Evans)
