April was a very full on, exciting month for pirate, with award shows, big projects and a lot of hard work to show off!
West End Fit-Ups & Load-Outs
We kicked off the week over at The Shaftesbury Theatre with a fit up and same day get out for Production 78, setting up the sound kit for a college production. Meanwhile over at the Adelphi Theatre, we had experienced stage techs assisting with a load out for Fiery Angel Entertainment. The shift consisted of dismantling decking and loading out stage lighting etc, and the client was very thankful that the team managed to meet the tricky deadline comfortably and with time to spare. Very solid shift from the whole team!
Meanwhile Elektra at the Duke of York Theatre concluded, and we had teams of stage techs helping with both the get out, and with loading in the venue’s next show A Complicated Woman. Both clients and our Crew Bosses on site were particularly appreciative of the great initiative, high spirits and hard work of the load out crew!
Olivier Awards at Royal Albert Hall
The start of April brought the annual Olivier Awards shifts for The Society of London Theatre, an event we’ve looked after for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting bigger every time! It was all hands on deck for this one, with nearly 100 Pirates putting in the work over the week. From rehearsals at the Bishopsgates Institute, to the load in and get out at Royal Albert Hall, the teams did well, being proactive to get it done. A 5 Star performance from all, with very pleased clients, who were impressed with the way the pirates ‘navigated a thin path of calm through the chaos’.
Disney’s Hercules at Drury Lane
This month also marks the start of work for Walt Disney’s new musical, Hercules, At Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Our Pirate techs have happily supported Disney productions for years , more recently the Frozen load out at Drury Lane last year and ongoing jobs at the Lyceum Theatre for the Lion King. Across this month we’ve had pirates on the rehearsal fit ups at the English National Ballet’s Rehearsal room and currently have plenty of stage techs daily at Drury Lane assisting the fit up and venue prep. This included helping the in-house teams with managing the backstage, assisting rigging and lighting, plus loading in and helping to build scenic elements. Such big builds can be tricky but the crew ensured that they did everything possible to keep the client on track. More hard work to come with this production into May, but so far so awesome.
Our Support to Donmar Warehouse Continues!
Later into the month we also had stage techs at Donmar Warehouse, where we continue to support their program of amazing plays – This fit up required us to reinstall seats, lay vinyl floor and of course, construct scenic elements. The team’s experience and eagerness to help meant the shifts ran very smoothly, finishing ahead of schedule on the final day of the build.
Pirate Crew gladly supplied wardrobe assistants for maintenance and show calls for Now That’s What I Call A Musical at New Wimbledon Theatre, a venue where we regular supply show staff to operate Flys, Follow-spots and Stage plots.
Across the UK!
Elsewhere, we had the MK team hard at work with Warner Bros Studio Tour again, helping the in-house prep for the new season with a variety of technical tasks.
In a secret location (sshhhhh) in the Peak District, Pirates joined an ITV team prepping a site for a new TV show airing next year. Forks Operators, Stage Crew and Lighting Techs are all needed from Pirate Crew to transform the site ready for filming. We’re expecting last minute calls on this new project which we’ll be able to service from our Leeds and Midlands teams.
The Bristol & Cardiff Pirate Teams have also been kept busy this month, with a turnarounds for the Welsh National Opera, plus events at Ashton Gate Stadium.
Finishing Up
Rounding up the month, the pirates lended a hand in the two day rehearsal set up for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and The Jamie Lloyd Company’s Evita at 3 Mills Studios, installing mirrors, timber tread and steel deck and helping wardrobe with loading in costumes. Great job from the crew, and we look forward to load in at the London Palladium in May.
Plus, we had a crew down at Hackney Empire supporting both the fit up and get out for Romeo and Juliet – a hardworking few days from the crew, involving building a set bridge, fitting a counter rake and happily helping out across departments, including carpentry and lighting, to prep the venue.
Across London there has been a big uptick of shows going in and out of rehearsals. Pirates are always on hand to install the ever growing equipment requirements into tricky spaces – with care and pride in their jobs.
This was a small snapshot of the projects Pirate Crew engaged in during April. Overall a very productive month from the crew and we look forward to what the next few weeks have to offer. Bring on May and beyond!
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If you’re looking for experienced event crew hire or theatre crewing services, contact Pirate Crew today. Let us help ensure your production runs seamlessly, from fit-up to get-out.
