14 September 2008

    Judging by ticket sales, Le Grand Cirque held at the Johannesburg Civic Centre Theatre was a phenomenal sensation. The production, in association with MNet, took place from July 3 to August 3.

“Most nights we had full house,” commented Enos Ramoroko, Stage Officer at the Civic, whose 18 Robe Color Wash 700 units were incorporated into the first circus act to ever be staged in the theatre. Additional kit was supplied by MGG’s Mark Gaylard who brought in eight Robe 575 Spots, 12 x Martin Mac Entours, Generics, DF50 Hazer and Prolyte trussing rigged in a goal post structure. The show was run off a Whole Hog II console hired from MJ Event Gear.  

“It was nice to get the rental and be involved,” commented Mark Gaylard, though he would not have hesitated if given the opportunity to light the show. That, however, was done by British Lighting Designer Pete Kramer. “It was a breathtakingly stunning show,” commented Enos. “The acts were unbelievable and the staging was of a high standard especially the creative lighting. The lighting was beautifully designed and helped the performance tremendously with very good effects.”

A couple of weeks after Le Grand Cirque, at around 5:30 in the afternoon, DWR’s Duncan Riley received a phone call from the Civic. The hardworking Robe 700 fixtures had been hit by a power spike and they needed to be up and running for a show starting later that evening. “Nick, Bruce, Robert and Easy came to the rescue and within an hour the lights were ready, fixed to go and Enos could run his show,” said Duncan.

Who says DWR Distribution can’t pull rabbits out of hats even when the circus has left town!