by Priscilla

Aug.06, 2010, under Backstage Blog

I am on the loading platform above the stage and I clip on the performers for the performer’s fly in. I also clip in all the set that gets flown in and out. This show has a lot of fly-ins and it is a mixture of the two.

The Aria is one of the flys that we have to be really quick with. The Divas have to get changed after broken hill, run up the stairs (3 floors), get into their costumes and if we are probably 10-20 seconds late then they are cut. Each performer has his or her own harness. Stage management pre-check them before the show, then the dressers put the actors into them and then we clip them on before they fly off.

Priscilla Flying Area

I call the performers out off the platform. I’m talking to the fly desk on the automation perch. My role is to float them and then it’s the fly desk’s job to send them down and they talk to Becky, the deputy stage manager, who is calling the show.

I started at the same time as the new cast. Luckily I don’t have a problem with heights, but one of the girls was quite nervous when she started. In that case you have to make sure that you are really calm so that they stay calm and know its all ok. For the first couple of weeks there was quite a lot of assurance and now she’s absolutely fine.

I’ve worked on Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Grease, We Will Rock You and The Producers. I’ve basically worked all around the West End in different roles. Priscilla appealed to me, because I’d loved the film as a kid and I’d also wanted to move into automation for a while, so it was great to get the job.

I love the cupcakes and Macarthur Park. The lighting, the bus and the music then are incredible. From my point of view the most difficult part of the show is Finally, because there is a lot going on then. From an automation point of view it is probably working as the bus operator as there can be a lot of small technical issues with it and you have to be on your toes.

It’s a fun show. My mum came to see it and she was texting me at interval saying that it was brilliant. I’d say watching the film first is a good idea, so you know the story in advance.