Having automated the shows in London's West End and on tour, Stage Technologies has designed rental automation systems that allow both productions to repeat the magic for Australian audiences.
Before landing in Oz, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ran at the London Palladium from April 2002 to September 2005, and was followed by tours in the UK and internationally. Stage Technologies designed a sophisticated automation and control system to cover everything from simple scenery moves and performer flying to the state?of?the?art flying car. The Stage Technologies system was adapted several times to take the show on the road for a large tour and a more compact road version.
While the West End version of Chitty used an Acrobat to control the show's automation effects, for the Sydney production this has been replaced by the more compact Illusionist console. While the original required four Quin control racks, Sydney can rely on two AU:tours flight cased control systems. Powering the flying car are four servo motors, while three BigTow Classic winches run the floor tracks. For plotting the flight of the car, the rentals team is using eChameleon software.
The Sydney production of Legally Blonde, currently running at the city's Lyric Theatre, features a revised version of the same Stage Technologies automation and control system used during the show's three year run in the West End. For Australia the Stage Technologies Sydney?based project management team upgraded the show to its eChameleon software as well as providing three Maxis ID motion control cabinets (MCCs) totalling 18 axes. The Stage Technologies equipment also included a mixture of floor tracks, counterweight assist winches, and tracking scenery winches.
Working in conjunction with the Adelaide Festival Centre workshop, Stage Technologies also provided the control for a stage lift and automated door.
Stage Technologies senior projects manager (Rentals) Peter Quinlan said "We're really proud to be asked to provide the automation again for these two successful shows. They're a great addition to our operation in Australia and the region."
(Jim Evans)
