Smashing it! – A Clueless February

We’re only half way through the month, but February has already been a jam-packed month already for our stage techs, from theatre show calls, fit ups, get outs and setting up exhibitions, the crew have worked tirelessly through the chilly past two weeks. BBBrrrrrrrrr!

Here’s your summary!

Starting Off Right

Kicking it a busy month, eight of our pirates helped out with the strike of The Invention of Love, at one of our favourite venues –  Hampstead Theatre. Much work was needed on this overnight shift, where the Pirates worked alongside the venue staff to de-rig steel decks, scenery and show floor, and then reinstated seat banks and carpet – readying the venue for the next show.  Teamwork was key on this job according to the crew boss, and the Pirates did a great job taking initiative to get the job done and dusted.

New Interesting Spaces

Meanwhile, more Pirate help was required at Sadler’s Wells East, a fantastic new venue bringing prestigious dance shows to East London. We’re helping this venue get up on it’s feet operationally, with many types of personnel being provided.  On this occasion, two of our eager stage technicians navigated a show call for a tricky scene change, with heavy deck pieces. It’s been great to be part of the action at  this exciting new dance theatre and we look forward to what’s to come.

Over in Houndsditch, a team of our stage techs and carpenters took on a fit up at the Convene exhibition space. The crew got stuck into unloading a truck, mounting tvs, tidying the venue, taping down cables and hanging a backdrop. After the successive get out for this event which saw the pirates finish two hours ahead of schedule, the client commented that they really enjoyed working with us and was impressed with the efficiency of the crew . Despite being in an unfamiliar venue, with excellent morale and a cohesive team, the pirates absolutely smashed this job!

Setting the stage

Later in the week, we had Pirates at Donmar Warehouse Theatre, lending a hand with the get-out for the show ‘Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812’, loading out the scenery and prepping the venue for a get in of new show ‘Backstroke’ later that day. Pirates needed to unload and hoist scenery to the first floor of the building, as well as build a steeldeck structure. All round a solid and experienced crew, making a potentially tricky turn around run smoothly and most importantly – to schedule!

Over in Windsor, a keen group of our London stage techs travelled to fit up the touring show Cruel Intentions at the The Theatre Royal, laying the show floor and building large set pieces with the Bill Kenwright production carpenters. 

The following week ramped up, with a fit up at Kings Head Theatre for Stalled on Stage, and a rehearsal set up for the English Touring Opera at the New Diorama Theatre, who we have been working for nearly a decade, helping to make opera accessible across the UK. The conditions were, FREEZING! but despite this, the team pushed through, banding together to complete work in their usual jovial and efficient way!

Elsewhere, at Lanterns Studio Theatre eight of our stage techs facilitated the load in for the new stage production of ‘Life of Pi‘. This venue entails some tight access and tricky logistics but the Pirates put in the hard work and handled it with much care. Not all jobs are easy, but the safety of personnel and the scenery are paramount consideration at all times.

One of our big projects through the first part of February was the week of fit-up for Clueless the Musical at Trafalgar Theatre. We provided up to 10 Crew for the usual long fit up days. Across all the shifts the crew brought great energy and worked responsibly and cohesively to ensure they delivered a great fit up and satisfaction all round. Another happy returning client.

So, certainly a strong start to February which we plan to carry into the last of these winter weeks.