by Priscilla

Dec.23, 2009, under Backstage Blog

I have responsibilities for operating the onstage show electrics (plugging up the catwalk and the Venus truck, the fans for the wind in the Aria, the lighting ladders that provide the side lighting, the smoke effects etc). I’m also involved in the team effort of electricians that check all the lights in the show everyday in the daily rig check, which can take anything from an hour and a half to three hours. We work closely with the Show Lighting Supervisor Matt to keep the show looking peachy, fresh and as fantastic as the day the show opened. Apart from that I operate the show lighting desk once or twice a week. I must stress it is a big team effort.

James Varley

There are constant things that need attention and work doing to them, either to maintain the way the show runs or improve it. It’s a long running show, so there is a lot of wear and tear.

I was here in the technical period, which is a long trying period, in both senses of the words. Obviously the Creatives want to try out different looks and lighting for various scenes, so it can take a while to get it just right working alongside the production and lighting designers to make Priscilla come alive. I like the lighting in Boogie Wonderland, there are a lot of things happening, and there are a lot of radio-controlled units on stage being operated.

When I am on the lighting desk, the deputy stage manager cues me and there are something like 300-400 cues. There is a cue every 10 to 15 seconds. It’s tiring to keep that focus and concentration for a two and half hour show. If things do go wrong you need to spot it. You are constantly looking at stage and checking. Occasionally some of the LEDs on the bus have failed, which means sending someone down onto the bus to reset and test the lights while the show is running. The audience will never notice, as the bus will be out of view at that moment.

I worked at the Royal Opera House for the last year. I’ve also worked on Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Lion King amongst others. I rate shows by the audiences’ reaction to them and I haven’t heard anyone say a bad thing about Priscilla. When people have seen it they tell you what a brilliant show it is. I think that speaks for itself and it makes you pleased, because we put a lot of hard work into it.

I think it is a very good value for money show. You get a lot of glitz and spectacle for your money and there’s great comedy, wit and heart to the show. Everyone has a great night when they come to see Priscilla.