The ‘musical’ version of the iconic TV cartoon show SpongeBob SquarePants is touring UK theatres, bringing a lively Technicolor show designed by David Gallo with equally funky, eye-catching lighting designed by Richard G. Jones – all controlled by a grandMA light console.
The UK tour, produced by Firey Angel, was opened at Hackney Empire in East London, where the lighting was programmed on a grandMA full-size console by Chris Hirst. It was then transferred to a grandMA light for the tour, which is running with a grandMA ultra-light for backup via two MA NSPs (Network Signal Processor). A wireless access point allows MA’s remote emulator software to run on both Hirst and the tour’s console operator Simon Garwood’s laptops.
The choice of grandMA was Hirst’s. He has used grandMA on many previous occasions including for three German musicals and has completed the training course at MA’s HQ in Paderborn, Germany. “I wanted a reliable, well supported operating platform, and received a fantastic response from Richard Lambert and the team at MA UK,” he states.
During programming, Hirst used grandMA onPC as a backup. Sat right beside the grandMA full-size on which he was programming, this provided ongoing views to Jones enabling him to see and check what was happening via the ‘customise view’ option, while Hirst continued to programme. “I am very happy with the system, it’s extremely quick and works well,” he confirms. Richard G Jones adds, “I left the console spec to Chris. He’s a fantastic MA programmer and can work very fast on the console, which was crucial as the tech time was so limited”.
Programming on a grandMA full-size also gave them an additional edge in terms of speed during rehearsals, enabling lighting to plot over 350 cues and keep well ahead during an intense and time pressured period for all departments. Prior to that, Hirst had spent a day at MA UK inputting initial data, and Jones agrees that the service from MA UK has been excellent.
The lighting that recreate’s SpongeBob’s eventful undersea environment is extremely colourful, bold and in-the-face – with a hallucinogenic quality that matches the hectic pace of the show! The lighting rig itself is expediently sized but precisely positioned and thoughtfully used to maximum effect.
There are 6 x Clay Paky Alpha Wash Halos and 12 Martin moving lights, all overhead, with approximately 60 generic fixtures – a mix of PARs and ETC Source Fours – plus 30 x Rainbow Colour Changers 8” PRO scrollers, divided between the overhead bars and side stage booms. There is also a selection of special effects like UV cannons, bubble machines and smoke, all run through the grandMA light and supplied by London-based White Light.
“It’s great from a design aspect to have the freedom to be really unapologetic with your application of colour and effects to a work,” concludes Jones, adding that they have had real fun putting the show together.
For operator Simon Garwood, it is the first time he’s used the grandMA system for which he received a couple of hours basic training from Hirst. From there, he picked it up extremely quickly, and working with it is proving a positive experience. “I like the way you can set the desk up and the layout options are fantastic,” he enthuses, admitting that he’s only scratching the surface in terms of its functionality and depth.
SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical is currently scheduled to run until June 2009 with a second leg of the tour planned for late 2009 early 2010.
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