The stage was divided into areas which included props such as shadow boxes and a wall of fans. One of the biggest highlights is Aguilera's trademark 'X' - during the song 'Genie in a Bottle' she is rolled onto the stage strapped to the X, a la Hannibal Lector.
Halpin said: "I watched the concert videos and made decisions on how to design a more compact rig than the one in the States, but also ensured I kept the look Christina wanted. The production team made that job surprisingly easy. Rob Kern and the crew are great. It's a pleasure to work with people who are so committed to making the show a success."
Halpin used a lot of open whites and contrasting colors to create a strong mood that reflecting the music and dance. The result of the open lighting was a stark, stripped feel to the show. The lighting rig consists of five main trusses, two flying arch trusses and uprights at both stage left and stage right. The main trusses are ringed with Martin MAC 600s and the center stage and upstage trusses also hold 14 Martin MAC 2000s. The two flying arches are each hung with four MAC 2000s and the uprights hold eight MAC 2000s. The sides of the stage floor are lined with a number of MAC 600s and MAC 500s. The show is controlled from two Hog II consoles.
Halpin also had to work video into the equation. A variety of shaped "wild screens" fly in and out on a Branam system so there was always something happening on the different areas of the stage. The lighting also had to keep up with the on-stage movements of an eight-member dance ensemble in addition to Aguilera. By making use of a number of Martin fixtures, Halpin created a fast paced look that gave the ideal compliment to the music. The tour is currently in Europe and will continue in Japan and Australia, before returning to North America next summer.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
