Generous Disney give up 2 shows for Helpmanns

Further today’s report on last night’s Helpmann Awards, Disney Theatrical Productions Australia missed two Sunday shows in the final weeks of the Sydney run of Lion King to allow the Awards in the Capitol Theatre on Monday 18th August.

This extremely generous gesture clearly cost the firm, with the remaining 16 performances of the Sydney season sold out.

That’s what makes the whole thing so fabulous.

Lighting Designer Gavan Swift told CX that with two Sunday shows foregone, the Helpmanns could load-in.

“I only refocused two LK lights but we added the flown globes, the LED par audience backlight, a couple of Mac 3’s to do the rain effect for the Chooky Dancers, and a dozen LED floods to light the theatre ceiling.”

“We also had a few custom gobos (for Les Mis and King & I) made for LK’s VL3500 to project onto the cyc. I believe most of the reset was done in a few hours (after the Helpmanns) with rig check happening today. Thankfully we have an excellent crew on LK and the whole process was incredibly smooth. PRG provided the extra equipment and Chameleon supplied the flown globes.”

The sound crew made it all happen on the regular LK rig of 44 JBL Vertec (plus subs and outfills).

Credit to all!