The production, written by Jeremy Dyson (of League of Gentlemen fame) and Andy Nyman, co-creator of Derren Brown's television and stage productions, features a series of different ghost stories, brought to life by stage, lighting and sound effects.
Audio plays a major role in the production, with sound designer Nick Manning creating effects for the audience right from the moment they step into the foyer. Distributed systems throughout the venue provide atmospheric effects throughout bars, corridors and in the auditorium itself - with pre-show tension building from a combination of moody lighting, the sound of dripping water and the occasional foundation-shaking rumble.
Nick Manning's audio system, supplied by Cardiff-based Stage Sound Services, comprises primarily EM Acoustics loudspeakers throughout the venue. A total of 34 EM Acoustics loudspeakers are used in all, combined with Meyer Sound UPA-1A's as FOH enclosures for the house system. Twenty three EMS-61 6.5" x 1" passive loudspeakers are used for surrounds, delays, monitors and bar and foyer effects systems; two EMS-152 15" x 2" and three EMS-121 12" x 1" loudspeakers are used for spot effects, and main FOH subwoofers are EMS-215 dual-15" quasi-bandpass units.
Four i-12 4 x 12" compound-isobaric ULF subwoofers are also deployed within the venue for extreme low frequency effects - two upstage and two hidden in the understage void to literally shake the entire venue. LabGruppen power amplifiers are used throughout to drive the entire system.
The system was installed by production engineer James 'Brew' Breward assisted by engineers Paul 'PJ' Johnson and Alex Bryson - and the operator for the show is Mat Russell.
EM Acoustics' Mike Wheeler comments, "I was blown away by the production. Nick's sound design is very impressive, and we're extremely pleased to see our loudspeakers used to such great effect on this show. A show with this many boxes around the three levels of the venue is a real champion for the advantages of passive technology - far fewer amplifier channels required, less processing and much simpler cabling infrastructure. The guys on this show have really done themselves proud, and we're very proud to have played out part in providing them with the right tools for the job."
Nick Manning adds, "I have been using EM Acoustics loudspeakers for the past two years - both at the Lyric Hammersmith and on tour. I am always amazed and impressed with by the EMS-61's clarity & depth, and the i-12 ULF subwoofer is an incredible speaker delivering rumbles that literally shake the foundations of the theatre."
(Jim Evans)
