Hamburg’s Stage Theater, Neue Flora, relied on Clear-Com’s digital wireless solutions for the production of Cirque Du Soleil’s new musical, Paramour. The production is an energetic combination of traditional musical elements, circus-like splendor, and impressive acrobatics, forged from the partnership between Cirque Du Soleil and live production company, Stage Entertainment. The musical had already experienced great success on Broadway and had geared up for its European premiere at one of Germany’s largest stage theatres.
The Neue Flora was already equipped with Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak II digital wireless intercom, however, it needed to be expanded to accommodate the requirements of performances like Paramour, that have increasingly complex communications needs.
Head of stage management, Achim Beyer, was responsible for coordinating the entire technical process throughout rehearsals and during the show. “The role of a stage manager is to ensure that nothing happens by accident,” explains Beyer. “We have about 800 cues for each performance, so we need an absolutely reliable intercom system. Without it, we wouldn’t have a show.”
The existing system was expanded to include a comprehensive HelixNet partyline intercom system with an HKB-2X speaker station in an S-Mount, an HRM-4X remote station and several intercom user stations. HelixNet allowed the theatre to connect their user stations via the XLR cable infrastructure that was already in place throughout the space.
“We have many productions that cycle in and out of the theatre,” Beyer continues. “Thanks to the flexibility and modular design of the Clear-Com system, we always have the ability to adapt our intercom to the requirements of each respective production.”
Beyer is immensely satisfied with the solution used for Cirque Du Soleil’s Paramour. “Communication is everything, especially in such a complex show with so many actors and acrobatics. We are in countless different locations during the production, and we need to talk to each other as clearly and quickly as we can. Clear-Com makes this possible and is our primary tool throughout the show.”
Due to the restrictions imposed in Germany in response to COVID-19, Stage Theatre Neue Flora has been temporarily closed and the production of Paramour has been suspended. Performances will resume once the restrictions are lifted.
{ SOURCE: Lighting & Sound America }
