Cardiff-based Apollo Television brought in lighting designer Martyn Rourke and designer Phil Williams to transform the Afan Lido leisure centre in Port Talbot into a TV studio for the two-hour live broadcast. Over 18 Lodestar motors were used to fly the entire rig in the venue that had a restricted weight loading. Stage Electrics’ project manager for the event Tim Routledge commented: "In conjunction with structural engineers and with the knowledge of our rigger, Gary Smith, we were able to monitor the deflections in the roof beams once the load was applied, to decide on whether the entire rig would have to be dead hung and the motors dropped out. Fortunately this was not the case in the end, which was a great relief and saved considerable extra work." Over 200 generics and 30 Martin Macs were controlled on an Avolites Pearl by Martin Rourke. To create an ‘industrial feel’ to the show, the stages were constructed out of scaffold to give several platforms, up to 18’ high, for presenter links, band areas and the backing singers platform.
The BBC also used Stage Electrics Wales to supply the production lighting services for its orchestral tour of Wales in March entitled - 'BBC Music Masters'. The company has also announced that it will be sponsoring the technical and scenic requirements for this year’s Welsh BAFTA Awards, which take place at Cardiff International Arena on 26 May.
(Ruth Rossington)
