On his second tour with the African vocal group, lighting designer Tim Speechley, invited Pearce Hire to tender and subsequently supply the lighting for the UK tour. Having had to change the plan to use projection due to lack of images, Tim amended his initial ideas and created a painted cyclorama for the stage set and commissioned custom gobos of African images, such as a Zulu shield which were projected using Source 4 profiles. Standing behind (Pearce Hire's) Pearl 2004 console Tim commented: "Pearce Hire has done us proud with new top notch equipment and friendly efficient crew."
The Pearce Hire rig, with two main trusses and two vertical side trusses, incorporated 10 MAC 550's to add movement and create effects such as rain and clouds on the cyc, as well as washing it with colour from some 1Kw Cyc floods. The stage was washed using parcans with a series of warm, 'earthy' colours, in keeping with the African customs and the 'ethnic' themes of the music.
LadySmith Black Mambazo's production manager (and FOH engineer) Jon Picciano has been with the band since 1999 and was full of praise for Pearce Hire, saying: "Tim has a great feel for creating theatrical looks and the band has never looked better, with lighting complimenting the music superbly. We initially liaised with Pearce Hire's John Huson who was very helpful and easy to deal with. The gear they supplied has been perfect, excellently prep'd for rigging and they have been the only part of the stage production we have had no problems with. Their crew (Jimmy Johnson, Grant McFarlane and David Jolly) have all been spot on - some of the most professional people I have worked with."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
