Showcasing mostly the same material as the 2008 tour, Madonna added some new numbers, a standout moment being a tribute to Michael Jackson, with one of her dancers performing the Moonwalk in full Jacko regalia.
The largest screens were controlled by XLNT's InMotion3D software running on a CyberHoist FPS Full Production System with dual Apple MacPros, in the hands of senior programmer and project manager Martin Hoop or his deputy Erik Gielen. The action began with a giant video cube that opened the show displaying a replica of the giant ornate 'M' symbol flanking Madonna's stage.
The front part, known as the 'Venetian' screen, morphed into surreal video imagery that appeared to be slowly shredded into horizontal strips as the front face of the cube was pulled apart vertically by a pair of CyberHoist one ton motors at the top edge. Ultimately revealing the star herself, the movement was completed when another pair of one ton CyberHoist motors at the base of the piece pulled the lower leaves upwards and out of sight.
The show employed a total of 11 one ton CyberHoist and 18 half ton CyberHoist motors, with each of three upstage lighting pods, all carrying Syncrolite searchlights, moved by a combination of two half ton and one ton CyberHoists under the command of a separate control system with XLNT InMotion3D software running on a CyberHoist PS Production System.
Forming another key visual element were two concentric circles of Element Lab Stealth screens, flown over the stage thrust and 'B' stage. The circles were designed to move in conjunction or separately from each other, each flown from four half ton CyberHoists.
The central Venetian Screen was accompanied by two moving Nocturne 20mm LED screens upstage, which tracked on Tait Towers Trollybeams while being lifted and lowered on two one ton CyberHoists per screen, the combination allowing 3D movement.
The final element was a pair of rear screens, composed of Nocturne V9 9mm pixel pitch LED walls, each flown from a pair of half ton CyberHoists.
(Jim Evans)
