Stage One were asked to create an in-the-round performance environment for the 45-minute celebratory show, which included a 360º seating block, 360º projection screen (160m x 10m) to the rear of this, a central pool that was used as a performance area and 20 different Qmotion controlled elements.
Steve Dolan, account director for Stage One, said, "The scale of this job was huge, with on-site assembly requiring over 1000 man days. However, a close working relationship with our client, along with extensive experience of working in Qatar, meant we were able to facilitate a smooth build process, with the result that both WRG and their client were extremely happy."
The construction of both the seating block and the swimming pool area were highly complex. The seating block for 1300 people required 600 bespoke steel staging structures and extensive scaffolding base structures. Utilising Stage One's new steel laser cutting facilities however, enabled the company to not only design the best construction methodology, but to also slash the construction time by an impressive two thirds.
The central pool area was 20m2, with only a circular 14m-diameter section both on view to the guests and in use as a performance area. This section was surrounded by a gloss black wall structure, with the remaining pool area hidden beneath the floor and used as an off-stage area.
Qmotion, Stage One's motion control system, was programmed to control numerous items. This included a scenic representation of a telescopic drill that was lowered from the roof and linked to an ETC projection system via innovative laser positional technology.
Qmotion controlled elements also included a circular lifting structure in the centre of the pool; a retractable platform (situated just under the pool surface to simulate walking on water); tracking doors incorporated into the 360º projection surface; a three pronged tracking system that allowed 21 aerialists to create a human abacus; and the control of a further four aerialists who descended from the roof to interact with the 'drill'.
Dolan concluded, "The event was attended by the Emir of The State of Qatar, along with both Qatari and international VIP guests and so both the quality of the 'set' and the smooth delivery of the performance were vital. We are confident that the quality that we delivered was unbeatable."
(Jim Evans)
