Phantom of the Opera in Singapore

Some years ago I was involved with rigging for The Really Useful Group, which is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production company. They were setting up ‘Phantom Of the Opera’ at Esplanade Theatres in Singapore and I took part in the sound team, which was delivered by System Sound in Australia. System Sound is one of the largest PA companies in the world and I was there through a placement during my studies. Under you can see some of my behind-the-scenes pictures from the production:

Esplanade Theatre from the stage

A lot of fire power is needed to run all the speakers...

Main PA amps

Smaller amps for surrounds etc

Before delay times were set for the speakers

Phantom of the Opera is done in full surround. These speakers are found at the front of the stage.  Most front speakers are built directly into the stage rig without a cabinet. The result is a very natural sound and the team is very concerned with clean phase-response. The system is designed by Martin Levan, whom you can read about here & here.

Preparing the orchestra pit

A Neumann U-89 for the backstage chorus and
a screen where the singers can follow the show

Neumanns, Sennheisers and AKGs
ready to go into the orchestra pit

A huge Cadac console (in two modules) ensures both a clean phase response and versatile operation (and heavy lifting)

Double playback systems with A/B switch and reverbs

Early dress-rehearsal in progress

The whole stage is flown in from Australia in modules and lots of speakers are hidden inside the rig. Here you can see the lighting team running through the scenes.

The Phantom's organ backstage

Costumes

More costumes

Props

How to dress up the actors

'Phantom of the Opera'

Elaborate communication systems

Comms

Backstage: one side of the stage was turned into a huge production-area with power-supplies wire-less receivers, special effects operations etc. Right behind the stage there were wardrobes, make-up and much of the props. The side you can see here however was dedicated to flights, equipment and storage. All the equipment was flown in from Australia with a Boeing 747, consequently there'll be the need for both proper backstage infrastructure and storage.