South African-based Matrix Sound recently supplied four Trantec S4000 IEM transmitters and 18 S4000 IEM receivers for use by the cast of Grease, The Stadium Spectacular, staged at Johannesburg Stadium. The lead characters, Danny and Sandy, had their own in-ear mix, as did the rest of the support cast. Although the vast stage area was covered by side-fills and wedge monitors, due to the sheer size of the production - andthe delayed sound returning from the rear of the stadium - it was decided that an in-ear system would aid the artists’ timing for song and dance numbers. Custom moulds were manufactured for all 18 performers as the S4000 IEMs made their first large-scale South African stage debut. The ability to operate on higher frequencies within the Channel 62/64 range ensured an interference-free performance from the 18 headset radios and 12 radio comms being used simultaneously on the show. Grease played to 60,000 people at Johannesburg Stadium and was very well received. Danny was played by South African, Craig Urbani, fresh from playing the role of Buddy Holly in London’s West End, while Sandy was played by fellow South African Amra Faye. The show also starred South African superstar Yvonne Chaka Chaka and popular breakfast radio show DJ Jeremy Mansfield as Vince Fontein.
