The Phoenix School in Peterborough recently hosted their annual charity ball. The theme this year was Spencer's Red Velvet Ball and the evening was supported by Pearce Hire with a striking production and stage set, designed to create the perfect atmosphere for an evening of entertainment and fundraising for this important special needs school, which is recognised as an outstanding Ofsted school.
The black tie event took place at the Atrium at Peterborough Arena, a venue in the East of England recognised for its excellent access, facilities and flexible approach from its staff. The occasion had a number of different areas including a formal sit down dining and stage area, a casino and dance floor. Pearce Hire produced the event with a complete audio, lighting, draping and effects package for the main room and pre and post dinner reception area.
"We have been a long-term supporter of this school's charity event. It provides invaluable educational and community support to an exceptional bunch of children. We are delighted to have played our part in an evening of great entertainment that raised over £7,000 for the school's on-going projects," observed Shaun Pearce, MD, Pearce Hire.
Pearce Hire's crew rigged two trusses in the roof space of the Atrium which housed most of the intelligent lighting installed for the event, including Martin MAC 700 Profiles and Robe 1200 LEDWash's. These fixtures provided ambient room lighting for the dinner, stage lighting for the various acts and speeches on stage and dance floor lighting for the band and entertainment.
In addition to this a number of Martin MAC 250 Entour profile fixtures were located around the stage to provide backlight and depth to the set. Around the perimeter of the room Pearce Hire installed 60m of pipe and base with white voile cloth, enhanced by 32 iPix BB4's which lit the white material up with dramatic colour washes.
Show producer and LD Jake Vernum and operator James Coghlan operated the rig from a Chamsys MQ100 Pro 2010, with dimming and distribution from an Avolites Art 2000 Rack.
In addition to the lighting rig, the company also supplied the audio, utilising an L-Acoustics Kara system powered with LA8 amplifiers and Sennheiser radio mics, operated from a Yamaha M7CL desk. Audio design and operation was by Richard 'Occy' Oxley.
The company also utilised one of its bespoke 63amp 3phase power distribution units to power the entire rig and stage set.
Ball Organiser Liza Schwarz was delighted with the results. "Pearce Hire really helped us put on the best event to date and we are really grateful for their support. The atmosphere they created was intimate and just perfect for a great evening of entertainment and fundraising. Nothing was too much trouble, and they really went all out to answer our brief and present a great set design. The invaluable funds raised at the ball will certainly help support these children with their special needs learning."
