"My reason for using a [DiGiCo] SD7 is simple, really: it is literally the only console that can handle a show like this," states monitor engineer, Seamus Fenton, who runs 110 channels from the desk. "Being a theatre production, there are so many vocals to deal with, and this console handles that situation absolutely perfectly."
Initially, Fenton was keen on putting all cast members on in-ear monitors, however, late into production rehearsals, he realised he needed an alternative plan of action.
"Musical theatre is a very complicated genre to work with, to be honest; they sing one line, then they're part of a crowd, and of course sometimes when they're coming off stage, they're still nattering away," he smiles. "These reasons combined meant I wouldn't be able to put everyone on IEMs as I'd originally intended, so I brought in another pair of hands to help me out."
(Jim Evans)
