Created by the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group for Macau’s City of Dreams entertainment complex, The House of Dancing Water, is extending its in-house communications capabilities with Riedel’s Bolero wireless intercoms.
Bolero will provide comprehensive, reliable, and integrated wireless capabilities that leverage the facility’s existing Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom system for the in-the-round show, that includes a stage pool equivalent to five Olympic-sized swimming pools. The arena also boasts a 40m-high steel-trussed space that provides the heights required for the show’s diving and acrobatics elements. The show centres on an epic love story and a journey through time, with dazzling costumes and special effects.
‘A show as complex as The House of Dancing Water would simply not be possible without reliable, stable, and flexible communications between and among our cast and crew members,’ says Dragone Macau Limited Head of Sound, Nicolas Hammond. ‘We’re already sold on the quality and flexibility of Riedel’s Artist, so we chose Bolero for our upgrade to wireless comms.’
The Riedel-based communications infrastructure is the result of a collaborative effort between Hammond and Assistant Head of Sound David Sharrock, with the support of The House of Dancing Water sound team. The Bolero system extends the existing Riedel infrastructure, including two Artist 64 frames and two Artist 32 frames, to enable communications for all cast members and crew. Motocross stunt riders and acrobatic performers, coupled with the technical teams, will use the intercom system for communication during the show, which features visuals, water and atmospheric effects. Even in the aquatics area, the Bolero/Artist combination will support communications with performers and underwater performer handlers in the pool via underwater speakers, in-mask communications systems, and buddy phones.
Programming flexibility is another extremely important requirement for the production, and Bolero will enable the team to customise the system to meet the needs of individuals and departments. Riedel’s Director software enables intuitive management and configuration of the system while also facilitating real-time system monitoring by the sound department.
‘Remote monitoring and fewer moving parts means we can operate and maintain the system much more efficiently, giving us more time to work actively on solutions for users. And the outstanding build quality of the Bolero belt packs means our consumables and service/repair costs will go down dramatically,’ Hammond adds. ‘Also, we can’t speak highly enough about the fantastic service we’ve received from Riedel. The personal connections we’ve built with the Riedel team and their outgoing and professional manner have made working with Riedel a pleasure, and we know that support is always just a message away.’
More: www.riedel.net
