tube is a Blessing for Manchester Diwali 2017
- Details
The show story was structured and directed by Walk the Plank’s Nick Clarke with words and scripting by Louise Wallwein, with tube’s Adam Taylor designing the sound.
Positioned on a small stage in Albert Square the Mahishasura, played by actor Sagar Arya ,took to the stage in Albert Square while a 10ft high mechanical tiger puppet took its position opposite.
The most important thing for the sound system was to be highly directional, so the actors, exchanges and sound effects came from their respective stages.
tube positioned two ground stacks of d&b V-Series PA speakers either side of the Buffalo stage on the Town Hall side of the site, which in addition to amplifying his mic also served as the main show PA for all the crescendos and big moments.
Either side of the Tiger stage was a stack of d&b Y-Series speakers that ensured the Tiger’s microphone and sounds – like roaring – and other content could be amplified and heard.
The mics chosen were Sennheiser 5212s fitted with DPA 4066 capsules, chosen for their good vocal characteristics.
A QLab system was utilised for all the playback audio, sound effects and music tracks plus the narration, running via Dante into a Yamaha QL5 console on which Adam Taylor mixed the show. He was joined by Jamie Taylor-Sharman as systems engineer, who fine-tuned the system to ensure the crisp, crystal clear clarity and delivery essential for the show to work as a theatrical experience.
The biggest challenge for Adam and Jamie was providing even coverage across the space and also keeping the PA footprints small and neat as possible whilst maintaining the different focal points, so the sound came from where each of the actors was performing. This greatly increased the physicality of the show for all experiencing it live.
tube’s familiarity with Albert Square, a public space in which they regularly work for the council and other public events, was another big asset in achieving a powerful, well-balanced sound to reinforce the action which was enthusiastically received by packed crowds.
(Jim Evans)
