The project is being co-ordinated for Summit by Jon Bray - whose history with the band dates back to the early 1990s when they first burst onto the UK pop scene. Bray is working in close collaboration with the tour's production riggers Jez Craddock and Phil Broad, production manager Chris Vaughan from The Production Office, production designer Ray Winkler from Stufish plus all the other contractors including Capital Sound (audio), PRG (Lighting) and XL Video/CT (video).
One of Summit's major tasks for the tour was to produce a comprehensive rigging plot covering the requirements of all technical departments, and realise Stufish's ambitious set design.
The main automation involves a 30m long catwalk, suspended over the audience which lowers from the roof to provide the band with access to the B stage, which is at FOH. This utilises 16 variable speed chain hoists running on a Kinesys K2 control system. The automation system is also controlling the movement of two concentric circular trusses and a large MiPix LED globe over the B-stage area.
One of the major flown onstage set elements is 200 sq.m of Stealth video screen, plus numerous drapes and soft goods including a massive set of mid-stage Austrian curtains.
The main challenge for Summit was at the planning stages, "We worked closely with the designers and supply companies to accommodate everyone's needs, whilst keeping the rigging operation practical for a touring show." explains Jon Bray. "The logistics of working out how all 56 tonnes of it could all be flown safely and effectively entailed serious thought and extensive discussions."
While most of the tour is based around multiple dates, there was a three-week back-to-back section in the middle of the European run, for which Summit supplied an additional 100 hoists. For this period the production was leap-frogging two sets of rigging and some of the lighting trusses.
Beautiful World is currently in the UK, playing multiple dates including 11 nights at Manchester Evening News Arena and eight nights at The O2 in London, where Summit are also the house riggers.
(Jim Evans)
