The stage design involves a multi level 'necklace' stage composed of two curved arms sweeping down from a back walkway to the main promoter's stage and forward into the audience to a B stage, giving several performance areas on different levels. With so many venues on the tour, the stage dimensions and construction needed to be flexible to allow for different configurations within each venue.
Access to the main stage is via access stairs situated towards the rear, down which the four singers descend to the mid-air walkway level, and then through to the promoter's stage beneath. Concealed technicians' stairs are also positioned to either side of the walkway levels.
Sweeping from this back walkway, down to the B stage 12-13 rows out into the audience, run the two curved arms that surround the front rows of seats, offering fans the chance to sit within the staging "for a unique concert experience". These narrow sections of stage are supported from beneath with a series of legs and constructed to incorporate four lift-out decks allowing audiences access to the seating area within.
"It takes only two people to lift these sections in and out of place" says Ward. "Road Rage, our show design team, designed them to be high enough at the stage end for people to duck out during the show if they need to, then they come out for the interval. They contain no mechanical parts so they are very easy to operate and work very well."
The orchestra is housed on two levels behind black painted risers towards the back of the promoter's stage. Each riser has a polycarbonate opal white fascia to diffuse the light from the LED strips from Schnick Schnack Systems which Brilliant Stages used to edge each riser and the leading edges of the central staircase.
Finally, the tops of the 'necklace' and B stage were given a gold finish, sourced by Brilliant Stages for its scratch resistant properties to withstand the wear and tear from the performers' feet and the rigours of touring.
"Brilliant Stages did a fantastic job," says Ward. "They delivered on time and on budget and gave us exactly what we wanted. You couldn't ask for anything more."
Il Divo completed the European leg of their tour in April and embark on a tour of North America, Australia and the Far East later this year.
(Jim Evans)
