SET PRACTICALS

Set

Practicals

Our custom builds can be seen on some of the largest international shows and in some of the worlds most prestigious venues.

We are specialists in creating custom set practicals, utilising the most advanced LED and wireless technology.

We design our set practicals to sustain the rigours of touring, giving you peace of mind that your investment will function trouble free for the entire run of your production. Our in-house design team work closely with your designers and production management in order to create your visions on budget and on time.

We have a large stock of the latest materials and technologies available on the shelf and ready to go, allowing us to build your projects in minimal time.

Whatever your project, we can deliver for you, so please get in touch to discuss further - no idea is too extravagant or too small for us.

Below you can see a selection of case studies based on our custom builds.

Case Studies //

'Sunset Boulevard'

UK Tour

MPS were tasked by Production Managers Simon Gooding and Matt Jones to build a set lx package for a major UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Sunset Boulevard.'

Working closely with Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell, we were able to design a completely wireless package of hugely realistic candle flames that were fully dimmable and controlled from the main lighting console.

We have received huge praise for these products, with many people saying that they have never seen such a realistic effect of this type on stage.

We also created a number of LED Light Box set pieces and supplied a package of Sunstrips from our extensive hire stock to create a huge wall of lights upstage.

For more info check out our hire section.

https://uktour.sunsetboulevardthemusical.com

'La Cage Aux Folles' UK Tour

MPS have built and installed the set practicals for the new UK Tour of 'La Cage Aux Folles'. For this production we have installed over 180 light bulbs controlled by 40 channels into an intricate 'Windmill' piece as shown in the picture on the left. Also detailed in the picture are the light up RGBW individually controlled LED steps that are a huge feature of the show. For this production we were also challenged by LD Ben Cracknell to install RGBW LED tape around the up stage permitter of all of the Portals in order to light scenic pieces up stage of the them.

As with all of our custom builds, this production was delivered on budget and on time. Our touring experience allows to build robust set practicals that stand up to the rigours of weekly touring and the lighting team on this show have once again praised us for the design work put in to make this happen.

http://www.kenwright.com/microsite/la-cage-aux-folles/

'Blood Brothers' UK Tour

MPS have installed the practicals into a detailed backcloth of the Liverpool skyline for the UK Tour of Blood Brothers, produced by Bill Kenwright.

With an extremely tight turn around, MPS delivered with just a 12 hour build time from start to finish - installing a detailed fibre optics and pea light system, in a fashion that will stand up to the rigours of weekly touring.

Once again MPS have received excellent feedback from the crew and creatives on the production for our work on this project.

http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=590

'Ghost the Musical' UK Tour

MPS have supplied and installed all the set electrics for Bill Kenwright's new UK touring production of Ghost the Musical.

Working to a tight deadline, MPS worked alongside set builders Capital Scenery at their workshop to deliver a package that included multiple Light Box windows (many of which are wirelessly controlled), a NuNeon New York Skyline, a ramp built to resemble a 'star field' and 2 x custom LED strip fixtures attached to the rear of some sliders.

The set is designed by Mark Bailey, Lighting by Nick Richings and the Production Manger is Lee Batty

Our hands on experience of touring with such practicals allows us to build these pieces in a completely robust and logical manner that will stand up to the rigours of weekly touring and MPS have received outstanding feedback from the production's creatives and crew.

http://www.kenwright.com/microsite/ghost-the-musical/

'Impossible' World Tour

LED Floor

MPS are absolutely thrilled to have been a part of this incredible show. 'Impossible' is currently embarking on a world tour, wowing audiences with amazing tricks by the worlds leading magicians, illusionists and even a daredevil!

MPS have built a custom RGBW colour changing circular 'ring' element in the show floor that is utilised throughout the production.

As per LD Howard Harrisson's specification the floor has two control channels and super smooth dimming curves, courtesy of our very own custom designed DMX controlled LED drivers, all of which are mounted in a custom, tour grade rack.

This project posed some interesting design challenges given that the show floor for the production is only 18mm deep - making an LED installation particularly difficult. MPS rose to the challenge and have created a novel system, that allows the LED to be removed and installed in just a couple of minutes for the show moves, reducing the risk of the LED becoming damaged in transit and ensuring reliable performance week after week, venue after venue.

'Annie' UK Tour

Portal Practical Dimming

'Annie' is currently on a huge tour, visiting number one venues across the UK.

Colin Richmond's fabulous set design features a huge array of 'Cabachon' style fittings which line all of the portals and back wall.

MPS have designed and supplied a hire package of 7 compact sized custom dimmer modules that allow these 24v fixtures to be dimmed smoothly across 28 channels via DMX from the main production lighting console.

These lightweight dimmer units, measuring only 30x24cm each, are mounted and removed in seconds for each show move ensuring the equipment doesn't get damaged in transit and ensures reliable performance week after week.

The units are also controlled using our stock of City Theatrical's rock solid wireless DMX, which has proven to be completely reliable week after week, with not a single signal related issue on the tour to date. Each of the 7 units picks up a simple hot power feed from the existing lighting rig, assembled by Senior Production Electrician Chris Vaughan. This simple approach of requiring a basic hot power feed and utilising wireless dmx technology negates the need to have bulky dimmers taking up space in the wings and drastically reduces cable runs, thus saving a huge amount of time on both fit ups and get outs which is so valuable on time pressured touring moves of this size.

'Follies' Royal Albert Hall

Dressing Room Mirrors

Directed by Craig Revel Horwood, 'Follies' at the Royal Albert Hall called upon our expertise to create wireless LED colour changing light bulbs that would be fitted to some giant oversized 'dressing room' mirror scenic elements.

Utilising our very own RGB LED and wireless dmx controlled drivers, MPS delivered and completed the installation on site at the scenic workshop in just one day.

Set