The charity event featured Eddie Izzard, Russell Brand, Chevy Chase, Seth Green, Dylan Moran, The Mighty Boosh, Graham Norton, John Culshaw, Al Murray, Andrew Maxwell, plus live music from Natalie Imbruglia, The Magic Numbers and The Zutons.
"The design brief was to produce a simple and memorable set that effectively communicated the Amnesty message" says event producer John Farquhar- Smith. Two large LED screens flanked the organ; a satellite stage in the shape of amnesty's logo and large projection screen was added at gallery level for those sitting behind the satellite stage to see the faces of those performing on it.
The satellite stage at the centre of the auditorium was constructed from steel wood by the Flux team and outlined with LiteTape.
For stage lighting, Flux asked Peter Barnes onboard as designer. "We wanted someone experienced in both TV and live environments who would create a show that worked in both contexts," says Farquhar-Smith. Barnes came up with a semi-circle of 80 PixelLine LED battens at the back of the stage that worked well as background eye-candy on-camera and live. He used Martin MAC moving lights overhead and programmed and ran the show on a WholeHog Ii console and a wing, with all lighting equipment supplied by PRG.
For sound, Flux asked Sound By Design (also the RAH's house suppliers) to design and operate a versatile system that would cater for everything from rock music to the spoken word. Various elements of the house's Meyer M1D and M2D line array system were utilised for this, along with assorted extras brought in to augment, all co-ordinated by Phil Wright.
The 12 camera broadcast system was supplied by 021 Carlton, and the screen IMAG feeds were taken from these. The two side-stage 7.8 x 4.5 metre Barco OD10 LED screens were supplied by CT, and the front of house projections screen of the same dimensions was supplied by XL video and fed by two Barco R18 projectors.
Summit Steel undertook all production rigging, and Eat To The Beat provided artist and crew catering. Production manager was Debbie Bray, stage management was co-ordinated by Martin Jadey and artist liaison was co-ordinated by Kahren Williams. Mo Crowe and Adrian Bray were the Royal Albert Hall show management team who were key in the smooth running of the event.
(Jim Evans)
