Comedy

Adlib provided a comprehensive production package encompassing audio, lighting, video, and rigging for the Arena leg of renowned British comedian Romesh Ranganathan’s “Hustle” UK stand-up tour, including two nights at The O2, an iconic London venue.

This collaboration marked Adlib's first venture with Ranganathan while reuniting the Clockwork Production and Adlib teams, who were excited to hit the road again with Neil McDonald at the production helm. McDonald, a familiar face from past projects, spearheaded Adlib's involvement. The production team also featured Grazio Abela as Tour Manager, Antonia Lambis as OTK Production Assistant, Dave McCalmont as Production & Promoter Rep, and Steve Pottinger as Stage Manager.

Delivering a comprehensive production across all disciplines requires careful and efficient preparation. This meticulous approach smoothly transitioned from the warehouse prep space to on-site operations, with all departments working in sync, drawing from their collective experience of working on numerous arena-size comedy presentations together in the past.

Audio

This careful planning and on-site execution extended to the equipment provided for the event. Adlib's complete audio system included a CODA Audio Loudspeaker System, including AiRAY, ViRAY, and CiRAY boxes, the latter being the latest addition to their audio rental department. For the low-end reinforcement, the Adlib team deployed CODA Audio’s SCP-F Subwoofers with HOPS8T/G712-Pro fills for crystal clear coverage to the audience at the front.

The loudspeaker system was powered by CODA Audio’s Linus14D Amplifiers and was looked after by System Engineer Jethro Hall.

The Adlib team deployed two Yamaha CL-Series consoles for control. At the Front of House, the FOH Engineer, Dennis Fernandez, utilised a Yamaha CL5 Digital Mixing Console with RIO Racks to deliver the natural and clear sound required for a comedy performance. Monitor Engineer Damian Breeze, looking after Ranganathan’s Monitors, used a Yamaha CL1 Digital Mixing Console.

The rest of Adlib’s audio team, comprising Audio Technicians Jake Brennan and Will Stringer, offered essential support throughout the tour. Additionally, Account Manager Dave Jones oversaw the audio aspects of the tour from Adlib's HQ in Liverpool.

Lighting

For lighting, Account Manager Elliot Tutt has worked with Ranganathan’s Lighting Designer, D. Reilly, to supply the specified lighting fixtures. These included a flown rig of Ayrton Khamsin, Bora, and Martin MAC Aura PXL rigged to Tyler GT+ Pre-Rig truss, with Ayrton Cobra, SGM Q-8, and Chauvet Strike 4 deployed as a floor package.

For the backdrop, the LD specified Astera Titan Tubes, which were hung in front of the stage curtain on either side of the upstage LED wall. The ambience set-up was completed with the Chauvet Vesuvio II Upright Fogger, Hazebase Base Hazer Pro and MDG e-MEGA Fogger.

Control was maintained using Avolites Tiger Touch II, operated by Reilly, while a StageSmarts C72tv Distro powered the whole system.

The remaining lighting team included Lighting Technicians Peter Lea, Scott Sheerins, Elliott Michaels, Tom Kaye, who was also Crew Chief, and Lighting System Technician Mark Macgregor.

Video

In terms of video, attendees were treated to an excellent upstage video wall screen, which utilised ROE BQ4.6 LED panels and Panasonic RZ31K Projectors paired with Stumpfl 20’ Fastfold Screens for IMAG projection. The tour’s PPU & Broadcast Camera System included two channels of Panasonic UC4000 System Cameras with Canon UJ90 Lenses and UE160 PTZ Cameras, with Adlib's 4K Cobalt PPU Core and Helium CCU Engineering Core, ensuring a seamless video production process.

Adlib’s video team included Video Director James Williams, Video Racks Engineer Jude Butcher, Camera Operators Kerrie Mulhall and Stephen Webster, and Video LED Technician Mark Taylor. Ewan Miles, provided additional support for the O2 show.

Senior Account Manager Dave Eldridge commented, “It’s been great to support Neil and his team on this run of shows. Being the sole supplier benefits our client base, as we can provide full production whilst also being the single point of contact for the touring team, with our Account Managers working together to deliver a project. Romesh’s tour continues around the world later this year, and we would like to thank Neil, Grazio, Antonia, and everyone at Off The Kerb for another great tour.”