As a supplier of presentation and event technical equipment in South Africa, Gearhouse SA has, for the past three years, provided the necessary equipment and technicians for the Mr Price Pro music concerts. However, 2003 sees the company - through its Durban branch - playing an integral role in conceptualizing and planning the event for client, Mr. Price. Additionally, Gearhouse SA has undertaken to provide the VIP area for the event. In a first for the company's Durban branch this takes the form of an elevated platform, measuring 8m by 6m. What makes it so unusual is that the VIP Platform is located above the front-of-house desk, where the sound, lighting and other elements of the live performances are controlled. "Mr Price have asked us to create a deck that will be able to support between 100 and 150 people," says Seery. "A bar will be set up to make it more comfortable and it will give the VIP guests a birds eye view of the stage."
Locating the deck directly above the front-of-house desk means that the technicians and engineers working on the events will be constrained in their movement. "But," explains Seery," it's something that we will work around. There is always something challenging that we face - it's the way we like it."
Construction of the stage and front of house tower (including VIP deck) is on Durban's North Beach, with the stage at a 90° angle to the sea, facing northwards. Building a stage and tower on sand has its own challenges: Gearhouse SA's Durban branch team will bulldoze the beach a week before the event, and sandbag the sides of the stage to prevent any waves from having an impact on the structure. Wood pads, measuring 500mm by 500mm, will be placed underneath of each of the structures.
Load-in began on 30 June and sees the construction of a full concert sound system, lighting, and rigging as well as a cube wall (6 x 3 cubes) onto which images of bands will be projected. Says Seery: "The event is a brilliant one that really adds to the pleasure of being in Durban in July. It's not easy constructing and then running a music event on the beach but this is our third year and we have really got skilled at it. In fact last year everyone was extremely impressed at how well the sound came across. We are hoping to have even more success with all aspects of the Mr Price Pro in 2003."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
