We were asked by Adam Blackwood, at Private Drama, to design the evening, set and dressing, around his vision for Mace’s Guinness World Record Attempt and Celebration. 25 Aerialists performed a routine in synch, gaining their place in the record books, as the largest choreographed performance of its type to date.
We provided set, staging, prop and costume design for a rolling program of creative shows and talks at the 02 in London, lasting a week. Attended by more than 180,000 members of the Salvation Army, this was a truly human and joyous event to be involved in. Alongside this design, we designed the outside exhibition areas, including a walk through journey depicting early times in the formation of the Salvation Army. Graphic design, entrance, sculpture, exhibition design, wayfinding, set, props, curation and learning zones, as well as a 30m long tent and printed wall, where break out lectures and presentations took place.
Our friends at 563 Productions invited us to create a concept and full designs for a World War One exhibition, for 10,000 visiting Canadian Students, 1 French President, 1 Canadian President, and some English Royals…so we filled a huge hall with a full immersive 3d trench, contemplation room, art wall, Lego installation and WW1 reproduction plane. Props, large scale print, textural finishes, costumes, props and artefacts were all interspersed with learning sessions provided by EF. Students learned to make a Morse Code machine, play in a VR Vimy, and problem solve alongside veterans promoting the Invictus Games. We designed a 3d puzzle for the ‘I AM’ Invictus Logo and designed their content for the 5 day event.
Our Principal, Ala, was Design Studio Manager, and later Head of Design for the Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies in London, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Paralympics. This involved running a studio to develop and deliver designs with the Technical Department for tender and delivery with a whole host of industry suppliers around the UK and Europe. From 2011-2012, working directly with Directors Danny Boyle, Kim Gavin, Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings. An experience which broadened knowledge and experience for all involved, as if 100 stage shows had been delivered at once, never to be forgotten.
Over 3 years we supported Underbelly in their delivery of the New Years Eve Hogmanay Street Party Celebrations in Scotland. Designs of street stages, costume, props, scenic dressing, entrance walls, archways and aerial sculptures were designed to create an immersive experience for the huge number of national and international visitors. 3 giant ladies, aerial wall walking and fire performance all took place, alongside acts on the main stage such as Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Gerry Cinnamon, Colonel Mustard, Sia, Paulo Nutini, Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand and Biffy Clyro.
We designed the set and props across 3 venues in Central London. Speakers included Bob Geldof and Meghan Markle, amongst many other well known influencers. A skyline of London, huge flying projection sphere, moving staging and directional sculptures out in public areas were some of the items we designed for the environment. We also designed show content and props, such as giant flag pulls over the crowd and sparkling sets for the visiting company of West End show ‘Six’.
