With COVID decimating the ability to go down to the local club or pub Universal was stopped in its track with no end in sight. However, as the government starting to relax restrictions there was an obvious enthusiasm for people to return to some sense of normal. This posed an issue as the nightclub did not fall into any of these categories.
Upon some creative thinking and thanks to the recent Bellocio partnership, Premiere was born! Premiere is the perfect mix of good Italian fusion food and entertainment presented in the form of an Immersive Drag Cabaret and Dine event. It has also allowed Universal to road test expanding into new markets including corporate events/ product launches. This event was vital in getting performers, technician and bar staff back together doing what they love.
The event is produced by Universal (venue and production), GAYM entertainment (marketing/ collateral design) and Sydney Drag Royalty headed by Charisma Belle and featuring Hannah Condah and Carmine Geddit.
Keeping the venue Covid-19 safe was the main priority with the venue adhering to the Government guidelines specifically the NSW Public Health Order. In tech world, consoles are spaced 1.5m apart from each other, a wired communications system is used to avoid face to face operator contact, regular cleaning and sanitization of consoles and workspaces are undertaken, and the microphones are regularly sanitized. Strict workplace guidelines about unwell staff not being permitted on site are enforced and WhenIwork software is used for crew contact tracing.
All guests must complete guest registration in line with NSW Government guidelines and all tables are spaced for social distancing
The room has been laid with tables of 4 – 10 spaced around what is normally the dance floor. There are several prop pieces provided by Sydney Props as well as amazing centre-pieces created by the Universal Production team with the assistance of some mirrored surfaces by Psyklonics. To link the experience all of the seating has been aligned to be in view of the LED screens which are used for pre-performance video packages.
Obviously with COVID affecting budgets, this show was done with the venue’s prior installed lighting rig with the concept showcasing the versatility of the Universal lighting rig. The following gear was specifically repurposed for Premiere: the LED E Profile FC is now used as a followspot, the Martin RUSH MH10 and the K4 Beams are used to light table centrepieces, the scanners are used as key lighting and texture due to their gobo wheel, and the KVANT club lasers are used for show SFX.
Due to the prior planning of the venue lighting rig, there was little that needed to be brought in however four Martin RUSH MH10’s have been used as a floor package to give that concert/ show lighting effect.
The venue audio system is a mixture of Nexo (PS Series), EAW (Avalon Series) and some amazing vintage Klipsch driven by a QSC Touch 30 Pro with a Symetrix control system. The event did require some re-tuning of the club centric sound system to meet the nuances required for this kind of event.
Production Credits
Production Manager/Lighting Designer –Tim Macfie
Audio – Dave Stevenson
Creative Director – Charisma Bella (Cast- Charisma Bella/Hannah Condah/Carmine Geddit
Venue Management – Dillon Shaw/Johnny Smith/Harris Kospetas
Marketing/Colateral = GAYM Entertainment Jesse Lawson
Photography Credits –Bruno Lozich and Tim Macfie
