Live
Playful Productions
MJ The Musical
year
2024
capabilities
Asset Coordination
Machinery Automation
Integration
Service & Support
Centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ tells the story of Michael Jackson during the tour rehearsal period. The story is brought to the stage with the aid of heavy, illuminated sets requiring extensive automation for smooth, swift scene-changes. The show features tight integration between video, lighting, automation and sound. Unusually for a London West End show, all scene changes are automated, with the 60 axes of automation including counterweight-assist winches, variable-speed Kinesys Apex chain hoists, deck tracks, sliders and a bespoke toaster lift which features as a significant plot-point in the show.
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At one point there are over 40 axes moving in one scene change - not that you see it, as it’s done in a complete blackout! All moving set pieces are tracked, with data shared using the PSN protocol to achieve pixel-perfect position mapping for projection. TAIT’s epiQ console unites all automation for above-stage, on-stage and substage motion into one holistic control system with extensive safety interlocks.
Credits
Producers
Lia Vollack, John Branca and John McClain
General Managers
Playful Productions
Production Manager
Matt Towell
Automation Supervisor
Richard Willcox
Projection Design
Peter Nigrini
UK Associate Projection Designer & Programmer
Mogzi
Lighting design
Natasha Katz
Scenic Design
Derek McLane
Scenery
Rocket scenery, A H Entertainment Engineering, Souvenir
Venue
Prince Edward Theatre, West End of London
Image Provided by Moment Factory
UNICEF
Heart Strings
Image provided by Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas