The Vackees is a musical set in England during World War 2 from the perspective of children being evacuated to the countryside during the nationwide bombing attacks from Nazi Germany. The cast for this show featured over 100 junior school students, 17 character roles and a 9-piece live orchestra.
Equipment
All audio recorded live via Dante networking using Yamaha Tio1608D2 + LS9-32 stagebox and mixer. QLab programming used to implement surround sound effects spread over the entire audience area. This was to better realise the sensation of overhead bomber planes, air raid sirens, and at one point a pilot parachuting down from his plane and landing in a tree.
Lighting was programmed and operated using an ETC Eos Nomad. Warm, sepia-like gels were chosen for tungsten fresnel general washes to give a subtle suggestion of a nostalgic period of time. LED movers and parcans were used for more thematic lighting and special effects, such as strobes and searchlights.
- Cast: 14 ways of RF - mixture of headset and lapel omnidirectional microphones with backstage belt-pack swaps
- Room: Audio-Technica AT871UG + x3 AKG C391B
Orchestra
- Piano: Audio-Technica AT822
- Flute: Rode NT5
- Clarinet: Rode NT5
- Violin: AKG C451B
- Cello: DPA 4099
- Trumpet: Behringer B-5
- Trombone: Behringer B-5
- Drum Kit: Shure Beta52A + AKG C451 single overhead
- Xylosynth: Radial DI
Credits
- Director: Deborah Whitcombe
- Musical Director: Gavin Pettinger
- Stage Manager: Stephanie Quaile
- Set Design: Rachel Bremner
- Stage Build: Malcolm Fraser-Lewis
- Music: Carl Davis
- Book and Lyrics: Hiawyn Oram
All photography by Dougal Nicol