The Versa Tube - already popular for architectural applications - is integrated into Saturday Night Fever's eye-catching set, designed by Walter Schwab. The units are used as powerful, dynamic and - at times - subtle effects, particularly prominently during the show's hi-energy 'disco' sequences.
The Versa Tubes are used to transform the disco scenes into a blaze of multi-colored action, a flamboyant collage of movement and excitement culminating in the 'megamix' finale. Voller wanted the disco scenes to contain rich, saturated, exaggerated colours and to be the complete antithesis of the starker 'real world' scenes. For the latter he used a large Martin moving light rig and selected generics mounted on moving trusses. The Versa Tubes were chosen because Schwab initially wanted substantial amounts of a neon-type effect inbuilt in the set pieces - following specific architectural lines like bridges, buildings, roads, etc.
As it was a tour, Voller knew it was crucial to find a robust, reliable product to achieve this.He suggested using LED strips and started researching options. This brought him into touch with Element Labs' UK distributor Projected Image Digital. PID's David March, Rob Fowler and Voller had all worked together in the past at Vari-Lite - and they alerted him to Versa Tube. Voller went to PID's East London HQ and saw Versa Tube directly receiving video input to easily create stunning patterns. Once he saw the product in action, Voller knew it would do everything he wanted.
He drew up a plan for integrating it into the set and Projected Image Digital prepared a quote. As a long-running national tour, the most viable option was for Showconcept to purchase everything. Claas Ernst worked out a practical method of rigging the tubes into the set. The most downstage set of tubes are hidden unseen behind metal mesh panels - and burst into life, taking the audience by complete surprise.
PID built the PixelMAD computer used to programme the tubes. It's loaded with a selection of standard PID digital content, plus custom video files created by Voller especially for the show. He had some tube effects ideas before load in, but once in situ, he was really able to unleash his creativity. The PixelMAD control is integrated into the show via the Wholehog II console programmed by 'Spooky' Steve Parkinson and run by Till Drechsel.
(Lee Baldock)
