Stage One, who were brought in by The Creature Production Company, creators of the animatronic dinosaurs, were asked to provide several scenic elements, consisting of an automated representation of the Pangaea (the super continent that began splitting up 200 million years ago), several sections of bespoke truss and extensive ground row. They also supplied extensive pre-tour rehearsal space at their North Yorkshire base, in a former aircraft hangar.
"Our extensive workshop facilities and skill base means that we are able to offer all manner of manufacturing techniques from under one roof," said Roy Webber, project manager, Stage One. That, coupled with the rehearsal facility we were also able to provide, was a huge draw for The Creature Technology Company."
The Pangaea is intrinsic to the action in the arena. It consists of three stage trucks that begin the show dovetailed together before they split open and separate, in conjunction with the unfolding story, to represent a different Mesozoic era. Stage One designed and manufactured the stage trucks, with the movements controlled by two drive motors and two slew motors. A winch driven telescopic mast was incorporated into each truck and used to raise 'palm trees' out of the Pangaea.
Stage One provided all of the automation, controlled by the company's motion control system, Qmotion, facilitating the smooth transition from one scene to the next and from one era to the next. To complete the Pangaea, Stage One produced a scenic surface detail, representative of the rocky earth of the era. This consisted of cast pieces, which were then cut, hand textured and painted to create a 3D surface, covering an area of around 150m2. Around 50 apertures were created within the Pangaea to allow the emergence of plant life.
Stage One also built several large bespoke truss; the 'Orni' truss and the 'Iris' truss. The 'Orni' truss will be positioned high above each arena to support an Ornithocheirus, one of the largest flying creatures ever found. Both the reveal of the creature and its realistic movements are achieved by the raising and lowering of the attached hoists, controlled via Qmotion and a pre-programmed animation programme that is fed into nextQ, Stage One's own show software.
The 28m long 'Iris' Truss forms the opening via which the dinosaurs emerge into the arena. Stage One designed and built this truss incorporating three roller blinds and four Qmotion controlled motorized tracks, enabling four Tormentor Panels to track on and off stage allowing the dinosaurs to enter the arena. They also supplied extensive material for both the blinds and the panels.
(Jim Evans)
