MSA automates Pretty Woman production
- Details
The system included Kinesys motors and control, Litec trussing and EXE trolleys in MSA custom touring dollies, and an ALFA Systems double revolve, all of which helped bring a fantastic set design by Benjamin la Cour to life, enhancing the narrative set to music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Valance.
The automation system was specified and designed by MSA’s Christian Vigsø in conjunction with the requirements of Lion Entertainment’s automation supervisor, Thomas Sunesen, who also operated the Kinesys Vector console running everything on the road.
The show featured three specific aspects that needed to move, the first of which was two sets of LED video ‘borders’ located on upstage and mid-stage trusses.
This was achieved using four 15m sections of Litec tracking trussing, each rigged with four 6m-high by x 0.5m-wide LED surfaces (eight borders in total) which were moved by eight Kinesys Elevation 1+ drives attached to the eight EXE trolleys inside. The LED screen moved horizontally across the stage on the two trusses, adding enormous depth and a sense of perspective to the performance space.
All this trussing packed down in 3m sections which were stacked into MSA touring dollies for fast and efficient load ins and outs and safe, secure transportation. The touring dolly system is specially designed and fabricated by MSA and is offered as a standard rental stock item for their Litec tracking system.
The 7.5m outer diameter revolve had a 5m internal ring and was also supplied to the production from MSA’s stock, together with the two Kinesys Elevation 1+ drives used to move it. This set piece worked hard throughout the show with over 50 revolve cues alone programmed into the Vector console.
A large ‘hotel’ set piece was independently flown in between the two tracking trusses and was moved in and out throughout the performance, flown with four 500g Kinesys Apex hoists.
All the drivers and motors were controlled by a Kinesys Vector system chosen as a “safe, cost-effective and straightforward” platform.
MSA supplied automation engineer and programmer Aske Skovsted to tech the show during production rehearsals and for the set up at each venue.
Ahead of the first show, the whole system was assembled at MSA’s extensive HQ and warehouse in Horsens. It was a well-designed and planned system using robust kit with which we are all familiar, so the prep was smooth, after which they had two days before the first show to put it in at the first venue, which was Tivoli in Copenhagen.
Aske thinks the Litec tracking is “very smooth, accurate and stable, and that Kinesys is also a popular brand with a great track record for usability and reliability”.
MSA also recently supplied automation for The Bodyguard: The Musical again produced by Lion Entertainment and staged at the China Teatern in Stockholm.
