January is always a busy month for our theatre crewing services, and we couldn’t make it through without the unfaltering work ethics of our stage technicians – let’s take a look at what they’ve got up to.
Familiar Places & Faces
This month Pirate Crew spent a lot of time at some familiar venues, with ongoing work at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and The Duke of York’s Theatre, London. At the Duke of York’s we were on hand for the fit-up of Elektra.
Some top-notch Pirates were primed and ready to help all departments. The days were a little slow sometimes but the team made positive-use of the downtime – using it as useful time to brush up on some truck skills and knot tying. The crew boss mentioned that their team were ever-ready, enthusiastic and hardworking! Another happy client.
Another NT live engagement in January meant we were at the Noel Coward Theatre, loading in and setting up equipment for the recording of the play adaptation of Dr Strangelove, as it reached the end of its run.  One day later, we returned to to take that show out – which proved to be a particularly tough job with a lot of heavy lifting in the pouring rain. But in true Pirate fashion, resilience and skill prevailed – and our team powered through. Working well together with the in-house team we did our best to finish before fitting up the next incoming show – A Streetcar Named Desire, for a different client. We’re glad to report that all work this week in the Noel Coward has been completed – new show is in!
…And More
Another big transition for our theatre crewing services in London this month took place at the Trafalgar Theatre, aiding the get-out of the Merchant of Venice and subsequently the load-in of Clueless The Musical. Both jobs were productive and went smoothly, consisting of the usual tasks of expertly handling heavy and delicate scenery pieces, along with fitting up the show with the carpenters.
Meanwhile at the Old Vic, we celebrated success in finally completing the fit up for Oedipus, which involved building the stage, scenery, constructing steel decks and packing trailers – a solid end to a busy run of work here, where we’ve been busy for the last month, helping the client with whatever is required.
Before Inside No9/ Stagefright began its previews, the team completed a final clearance of the stage and auditorium at Wyndhams Theatre, moving costumes, loading trucks, getting everything perfectly in its place for first shows. The crew dealt well with a tight time constraint, getting stuck in and supporting  various departments, ensuring they finished on time.
We also wrapped up our long stint at ABBA Arena, replacing the sound system, with some final clearing of the venue and would like to say a big well done to the crew; we received really positive feedback from our clients, thanking us for being an integral part of the works.
Small Jobs, Big Impact
Of course, we also handled many smaller but just-as-important jobs throughout the month. We supplied a delivery drivers to Autograph Sound Recordings for deliveries across the week, and at Pinewood Studios we sent technicians and IPAF drivers, who assisted in an ongoing lighting & video installation for Universal Pixels Ltd.
Elsewhere, two flys operators were needed at Wycombe Swan Theatre for a week to operate their fly system their incoming show. We managed to supply two experienced operators from our Milton Keynes Crew team. Both had a smooth week on the fly floor and enjoyed being back at Wycombe, a regular client of ours.
We regularly supply staff to assist at The Lyceum Theatre, London, both for the venue’s occasional additional bookings and with servicing Disney’s Lion King. We enjoy a great relationship, and the crew are always super responsive to the client’s needs, even if moving kit around this theatre’s narrow corridors is often quite challenging! The Deputy Head of Stage recently reached out to comment: ‘I just wanted to the Pirate Crew Team are always helpful and great in the work they do….a huge thank you!’
Training Up
We finished up the month with training sessions for first aid, working at height and forklift driving. 30 of our crew spent time renewing or gaining new skills and certificates.
Pirate Crew is committed to bringing you the safest, most qualified, skilled and experienced crew we can. That’s why we regularly invest in training for our pirates, giving them opportunities to refresh and develop their skills, keeping our theatre crewing services at the top of the game.
Need Reliable Event Crewing Services?
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 shows to get-out.
