Star Hire (Event Services) Ltd supplied mobile StarStages to the organisers of the UK’s largest gay festival, Mardi Gras, for the two main stages at the Hackney Marshes event. The main G.A.Y. stage was a mobile SS 15-12 StarStage that housed the PA and lighting, with a line-up including Atomic Kitten, Westlife, A1, Human League and Belinda Carlisle. These were variously introduced by a range of celebrities including Graham Norton, a host of Big Brother stars, Ken Livingston, Mo Mowlam and Trisha. Meanwhile, the more intimate ‘Popstarz’ Indie stage was a mobile SS 10 08 StarStage that featured acts including Suede, the Cooper Temple Clause and Haven.Graham Drew headed up the Star Hire crew who had to cope with the summer’s inclement weather and the soft ground of Hackney Marshes that meant production schedules were stretched. "The whole production team worked against tough conditions and the stages ended up looking great, with a stunning lighting matrix on the back wall of the main stage," said Graham.
(Ruth Rossington)
