Added for this final section of the tour were four extra Barco ILite 10 high resolution screens, all flown on a Kinesys automation system supplied by Neg earth, coming in and out at various points throughout the show. The new screens were each constructed from 6 x 6 panels of ILite, measuring approximately 2.7sq.m, They joined a centre portrait format hi-res screen that was on the previous tour, made from 6 x 10 modules of I-10.
XL also supplied an upstage SoftLED LED curtain measuring 100ft wide by 33 high (it was the first UK tour for this product back in 2005 when Showgirl commenced), specified by lighting designer Vince Foster as a "scene-changing backdrop". The content displayed on this ranged from cityscapes to abstract patterns. Additionally it gave Foster latitude to use it as a colour wash effect and to add real movement and depth to the stage.
An essential part of Showgirl's visuality was achieved with an innovative fusion of different LED technologies - including low-res Barco MiPix panels that clad the front of the set fascia and the SoftLED drape. The MiPix effectively giving a second low-res surface downstage of the SoftLED.
Foster collaborated closely on the look of the show with artistic director Will Baker and co-designed the set with Alan MacDonald. Choreography was by Michael Rooney and Rafael Bonachela. The impressive collection of costumes were designed by top couturiers and designers.
Kylie's IMAG mix was beamed onto two 21 x 11 ft side screens, going to 16:9 format for the Homecoming leg of the tour. Each screen was fed by one of XL's new Christie S20 projectors, described by Heaney as "absolutely fantastic pieces of kit".
MacPhie used a 32 input Thompson Kayak mixing console to produce a tasty up-tempo live mix from four Sony D50 cameras, two on track and dolly in the pit, one at FOH and one hand-held on stage.
Playback footage was produced by Blink TV's production team led by Marcus Viner, working closely to a brief from Baker and MacDonald. Additional material for the low-res surfaces was created by Vince Foster using a Catalyst digital media server.
The low-res sources - going onto the MiPix and SoftLED surfaces - were originally played back via a Catalyst digital media server run live from Foster's WholeHog 3 lighting desk, but this time around these were loaded onto a Doremi hard drive, with XL supplying another Doremi to store all the pre-recorded footage. Material was transferred from its various formats, edited and programmed into the Doremis by Richard Turner at production rehearsals before the start of the Australian leg of the tour.
In addition to Heaney and MacPhie, other the video crew members for Showgirl Homecoming were chief engineer Myway (Jeroen Morvain), LED techs Steve Claris and Oliver Derynck and cameramen Dan Ormerod, Roger Nelson and Paul Eggerton. Heaney operated the fourth camera.
(Chris Henry)
