The lighting and video visuals for this seventh series of Idols SA have been created by Joshua Cutts, one of South Africa's most innovative designers who is working for the first time in this role, having operated last year's series. It is the first time that Idols South Africa has featured a coherent 'visual' design incorporating both mediums, which is going down a storm with everyone, bringing a new fluidity and harmony to the show.
The set is designed by Dewet Meyer, and lighting equipment is being supplied by Dream Sets from Johannesburg, all brought in by production company, Nevermachine.
Dream Sets made a major investment in Robe kit last year, and on this show are six ColorWash 700E ATs, six ColorBeam 700E ATs, 18 ColorSpot 700E ATs and 18 ColorWash 2500's, plus strobes, generics and LED fixtures.
These are rigged on a combination of installed trussed and dead-hung house LX bars over the stage, plus two advance trusses in the auditorium, with some clamped to the downstage edges of the set. Directly in front of the main set wall - clad in striking LED panels - is a skeletal arched truss which complements the elliptical shape of the set, echoing its sweeping curved side staircases.
(Jim Evans)
