Shuttlesound, the UK distributor of Electro-Voice, was keen to show its support for the leading academy of stage arts, lending an XLE181 PA system to the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre at RADA for this year's graduate production of Little Women - The Musical. RADA is a keen user of Electro-Voice loudspeakers, with EV SX300s in all three of its live venues.
The 200-capacity Vanbrugh Theatre required something a bit more punchy for Little Women, the only musical production of the year. RADA's head of sound Chris Mock was familiar with EV line areas from his background in rock 'n' roll. "I asked for line array because I knew its possibilities, and it has been fantastic to get Shuttlesound's support, not only with the loudspeaker system, but also with the provision of first-class wireless microphones."
With the help of Shuttlesound's Jason Kelly, the XLE system and its subs were flown in the theatre, giving experience in sound design to the technical theatre students. "They were able to learn how to fly line arrays, and to experience audio quality which is so superior to what we normally have," says Chris Mock. "The XLE system performed fantastically well, especially in the thunder and lighting sequences in the show, where it sounded completely natural. It gives us clarity, and with orchestral support, it makes the end of each number sound awesome."
Receiving its UK and European premiere, Little Women - The Musical features a cast of 11 and a six-piece mini-orchestra. As well as providing a Midas XL8 digital console to mix the show, Shuttlesound supplemented RADA's own microphone stocks with RE97 wireless mics for four lead performers. "They gave us more definition and security, and the comfort factor of working perfectly every night," says Mock.
(Jim Evans)
