This visual extravaganza was the first ever such post cricket match entertainment event, and also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Africa. Over 40,000 cricket fans saw India narrowly beat the Proteas (South Africa), simultaneously making history as the biggest live crowd ever to watch a cricket match on the African continent. The concert was televised live worldwide on ESPN, opening up the potential audience to several million.
Lighting, stage set and visuals were designed by Tim Dunn and full technical production for the concert was supplied by Gearhouse South Africa, working for producer Katija Ali of AA Media who conceived and proposed the show idea to match organisers, Cricket South Africa (CSA).
The stage architecture was based around symbols and shapes from Africa and India, topped with a 'calabash' style structure made from 16 curved trussing 'ribs', flanked by 3 minaret style stretched fabric domes each side.
To maximise site lines, it was decided that the stage should have no roof! Knowing that the weather was highly likely to be inclement at this time of year, Dunn specified Robe moving lights because he knew they would be reliable and resilient in rain and damp conditions.
It proved a wise and perspicacious decision, as it rained torrentially during the get in and build up to the match and show, clearing only two days before play!
Dunn's brief was to produce a lightshow to match the razzmatazz, glitter and glamour of the occasion, with a star-studded live performance schedule headlined by Indian megastar, Shah Rukh Khan.
Crowning the top circle of the Calabash were 10 Robe ColorSpot 2500E ATs, and along the front edge of the supporting structure's top deck were eight Robe ColorSpot 2500E ATs and six Robe REDWash 3-192s used for shooting prominent colour and beam effects down into the upstage area.
A ground support system was rigged on the stage to facilitate side, back and mid-stage lighting positions. It was 30m wide with two levels of trim at 9 and 10m, diagonally slung trusses upstage and a mid truss that was moved in during the match to accommodate three camera positions on the front of the calabash. On the ground support were another 20 REDWash 3-192s, 6 ColorSpot 2500E ATs and 24 x ColorWash 2500E ATs. These were all used for front and back stage washing, upstage key lighting.
At floor level, under the side LED screen columns and PA wings were 24 Robe Robin 300 Spots, 12 a side, together with four Robin 300 Washes a side shooting up the scrims and illuminating the logo. Their small size was perfect for being tucked unobtrusively into these positions.
Sixteen Robe Robin 300 Washes were positioned along the sides of the stage in the 'shin buster' position, used for zappy slices of cross stage light and low level 'modelling' for the dancers.
Dunn programmed and ran the show on a grandMA full size console, with Hugh Turner calling follow spots and Marcel Wijnberger operating video/screen visuals on another grandMA.
(Jim Evans)
