The Illusionists

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TECH PROFILE

THE ILLUSIONISTS

THIS MAGICAL AND MYSTERIOUS SPECTACULAR SHOWCASES THE UNIQUE TALENTS OF 7 THEATRICAL ILLUSIONISTS TO A LIVE AUDIENCE. AFTER GAINING SERIOUS TRACTION ON NEW YORK’S BROADWAY, THE SHOW BEGAN A WORLD TOUR, TAKING IN DATES IN DUBAI AND ABU DHABI THIS MAY. THE SHOW’S PRODUCER, ALCHEMY PROJECT, ENLISTED THE HELP OF SLS PRODUCTION AS THE EXCLUSIVE TECHNICAL SUPPLIER FOR THE UAE PERFORMANCES, AS TPMEA REPORTS.

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TECH PROFILE 33

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TECH PROFILE

The Broadway production showcased the talents of the 7 illusionists who play tricks on the audience’s mind with their disappearing acts, levitation and mind reading. “What makes this show different from any of the previous Illusionist shows in UAE is the presence of master magicians such as Jamie Raven and Darcy Oake, who have mesmerised audiences around the world with their stunts in Britain’s Got Talent,” said Sia S Far, Managing Director of the Alchemy Project.

Oake, known as The Grand Illusionist, is known for modernising magic into something fresh and young, while Raven, known simply as The Magician, famously inspired Simon Cowell to announce he finally believes in magic in 2015 as part of Britain’s Got Talent. They are joined by witty and dynamic Paul Dabek (The Trickster), Krendl (The Escapist), Ben Blaque (The Weapon Master), Raymond Crowe (The Unusualist), and Florian Sainvet (The Manipulator).

When the Broadway hit ventured out of New York City and into the Middle East, it was Alchemy Project - the Middle East’s leading event management agency specialising in full event management services for concerts, theatrical productions and music festivals which was tasked

with getting the show’s technical production in place. After SLS won the bid, the company provided audio, video, lighting and rigging to the two shows. Not only did the events need to uphold audio clarity, subtle and key lighting, hidden trussing and clear video direction, it also needed to be up to the world-class standard the Broadway stars were used to performing in.

The lighting rig comprised 28 Martin by Harman MAC Viper Performances, 24 Claypaky A.leda B-Eye K20 Washes, 12 26-degree ETC Source 4 Profiles and 24 Robe Pointes, all controlled by an MA Lighting grandMA2 full size console and a grandMA2 Light for the backstage light. The lighting for the UAE shows was operated by LD Paul Smith. Production Manager, Kenneth Mali said: “This is a show portraying illusion; it requires fast moving and responsive lighting fixtures which is why we chose Robe Pointes, MAC Vipers and the Clapaky B-Eyes.”

For video, it was 50 sqm of Absen’s A6 LED screens and disguise media servers on the rider. The audio design in both venues - Abu Dhabi’s Du Forum and the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai - utilised a Harman Professional JBL Vertec PA system comprising 16 boxes JBL VT4889 as the main hang, 8 x JBL VT4887 for down fill, and 8

x JBL VT4887 for front fill. The sound was mixed on a Yamaha QL5 console. For rigging duties, a total of 200m of truss ran throughout the venues with a combination of CM Motors and Loadstars. The technical design was put into fruition by SLS Project Manager Ameya Upendra Madkaiker, and a crew of 30.

Mali continued: “The stage design supports the configuration of lighting and audio we had temporarily installed. Both the audio and lighting fixtures had to go hand-in-hand when it came to the quality of delivery. Primarily, the light had to be fast and reflective and the audio had to be crystal clear. Along with a Production Manager from the artist’s side, I led the production working for hand-in-hand with the support of the HODs for audio, lighting, video and all of the respective technicians and engineers. Out of the 2 venues the show visited in the UAE, we had smooth load-ins and a fairly simple de-rig for both.”

The Illusionists tour continues across North America in June. Photos: SLS Production www.theillusionistslive.com www.slspro.net www.alchemy-project.com

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