It is the third New Year's spectacle that Jack Morton has produced for the event, which is organised by the Mayor of London. The display could also be seen at high points across the capital with many millions more watching it on TV. This is the third year running technical suppliers Stage Electrics have supplied lighting for the event.
The design team from Jack Morton commissioned the lighting design team of Durham Marenghi and Associate Paul Cook to create the stunning visual effects. Stage Electrics' project manager Simon Baker headed the 10 man on site technical team installing the equipment in the run up to 31 December. Following the close of the show at 12.30 am on 1 January the get out was completed by 4am.
In all 32 Martin MAC 2000 Wash were used, one in each pod all linked by the wireless DMX system provided to Stage Electrics by DAFT Data. Other equipment on site this year was 24 x B52 Syncrolites12 x 2KW Space Cannons positioned on the quayside and on barges on the Thames.
Access to the barges 25 metres from the bank was via a small tug boat, the weather that put a dampener on the celebrations in other parts of the country was far from conducive in the middle of the Thames either. "Every time we went out to one of the barges the heavens opened," said Baker, "more than once we all had to take shelter in a 10ft sea container together with the power supplies.
"This is a very high profile job for us, it all went very well, slick and smooth, the B52s on the barges were an exciting new enhancement to the display. This is another job for us working with Durham Marenghi, Paul Cook and Jack Morton Worldwide, long may this partnership continue."
(Chris Henry)
