Earls Court was the first UK venue to hire the system, for a run of concerts in November and December 2003, including Capital Christmas Live, Iron Maiden, Radiohead, Metallica and the Stereophonics. Capital Christmas production and show director, Mark Ward, commented: "I was extremely happy with the stage's performance, the speed and decking quality of the new system made a huge difference in the show build."
The system, manufactured by Birmingham-based Total Fabrications, allows quick, safe and efficient construction, requiring no tools. Arena Deck has been developed over the recent years, refined through experience on tours including Pop Idol, Kylie, Peter Gabriel and David Bowie. It has gate legs and link-beams on every other deck so it is possible to walk under the stage without stepping over any obstacles, which means there is valuable working space under the stage for production requirements.
Pete English headed the Star Events Group team which assembled the 60ft by 40ft stage at Earls Court. He commented: "The quality of the fabrication on all of the elements is excellent, so it has been very easy to work with. The finish on the stage is great and from a production element the two 60ft long by 8ft wide corridors under the stage have been very handy. From a crew perspective, the stage is very easy to work on, even with adding the peripherals such as ramps and handrails we have been 'ready to roll' in two hours with a completed stage."
(Lee Baldock)