Martin Helping Pink ‘Get the Party Started’

There’s more to Pink than you might think

Perhaps that could have been the name of her current tour. Instead it is “I’m Not Dead” which is dramatically indisputable to those who have witnessed the acrobatic and physically demanding show she is performing across Europe through the end of the year and then worldwide in 2007.

Bandit Lites UK is supplying full lighting production and crew for Pink’s tour, a rig that includes Martin MAC 2000 Washes, MAC 2000 Profiles, Atomic strobes and Jem ZR fog machines. The innovative production and lighting design was created by Mark Fisher and Barry ‘Baz’ Halpin. With considerable input from Pink, they’ve woven lighting, video and scenic elements into a stimulating and provocative visual collage.

“This is not a standard pop show,” Baz Halpin comments. “It’s full of tricks and gimmicks and is highly choreographed. Pink is very versatile and is heavily involved in design and production of the show.”

Some 110 MAC 2000 Profiles and Washes are scattered across the rig – on overhead trusses, upper and lower ‘dog leg’ side trusses; vertical upstage trusses; at strategic points on the bold sweeping staircase set and all over the floor. These are joined by Martin Atomic strobes and a selection of generics and digital media server effects. “I’ve worked with Bandit on numerous projects and you’re always guaranteed the very best equipment, crew and service,” Baz says.

Lighting has been thoughtfully programmed to keep up with the blistering pace of the set as well as changes in mood and feel of the show’s four distinct segments. It opens with a painted camouflage net kabuki with a grey traveler drape upstage, Pink and her band in a classic rock band set up accompanied by bold and bright lighting looks. That drops away to reveal a three dimensional grey quilted pillow drape which gives the set texture and depth. Part two is heavily choreographed with dance routines including gymnastics in a net (Pink used to be a gymnast) accompanied by gobo looks and lots of chases. Part three is acoustic and performed on the B stage at the front of the thrust with stark, pulled back lighting.

The show closes in dramatic style with the pillow drape dropping away to reveal six 24ft vertical sections of trussing loaded with MAC 2Ks, which completely change the feel, dimensions and depth of the stage. Part four involves a lot of flying with Pink dropped in from the ceiling on a ring for the first encore. The show culminates in a series of breathtaking aerobatic stunts performed on silks hoisted high above the stage, the final showstopper a silk aerial performance to “Get the Party Started.”

Production/Lighting Designer: Barry Halpin
Production/Set Designer: Mark Fisher
Touring Lighting Director/Lighting Op: Trent O’Connor
Crew Chief: John Wynne
Crew: James ‘Jam’ Such, Roy Hunt, Jonathan Dawson-Butterworth
Video, spots: Craig Allnutt