JUMP!

Yes, I know it’s been a while since I posted.

For the last few weeks, I’ve either been away from work or doing maintenance and/or duty and haven’t been directly on shows.

Even despite that, I still manage to get involved on those jobs that need doing – installing surtitling equipment, checking the audio description set-up for a touch tour, wiring up our O2R for use in post show talks, arguing with the remotes for Barco projectors (I really don’t like mini jack connectors anymore!), arguing with network protocols in trying to get a Windows machine to recognise a wireless access point – I could, and won’t, go on for days.

As part of this technical support though, I was able to get out of the office for a couple of days. I managed to get involved with the Royal Variety Performance (broadcast 12th December 2006) assisting on Jump!, an act best described as Charlie Chaplin means Jackie Chan.

Kudos goes to the Beeb for running a very tight ship organisationally and to Tim and Julian in the OB truck who mixed the shows music, sound effects and live VO despite having never seen the show until the rehearsals. Also, to the LX team (whose names escape me) for taking the visuals of an online clip and making their own interpretation of the lighting. And, most definitely to the followspots who did a very good job of dealing with this very dynamic show with a whole gamut of gymnastic moves (the cast, not the spots ) . And to Stan, and his crew, who made the ramp and to the Coliseum staff for putting up with the 800+ people on side. And to our makeup artist, who arrived on the day knowing only one member of the company. Sally, I raise a glass to you (filled with frosty beverage, of course.)

 I’m not certain the whole night will be to everyone’s taste but I’m pretty certain you’ll find Jump worth watching (they are in the second act, for what it’s worth)