In 2001 Stage Technologies received their first order for the complete stage engineering systems for two cruise ships being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, Japan. The project comprised automated overstage and understage equipment for three venues on these grand class cruise ships, built to a very similar design as those already built in Italy for Princess Cruises.
The ‘Princess Theatre’ on each ship was equipped with:
• Acrobat automation control system, with Solo controllers and drive cabinets
• 25 flybars, 4 lines, 900mm/sec, SWL 400kg, fully guided
• 1 Austrian winch, 12 lines, 900mm/sec, SWL 400kg
• 2 stage elevators, SWL 4,300kg 300mm/sec, synchronised ballscrews
• 2 pairs covers to fill in opening left by elevators
• 9 Serapid horizontal track drives, 450kg, 750mm/sec
• 8 assorted lighting trusses, with chainhoists
• Projector platform, SWL 750kg
• Performer flying track, SWL 125kg, 900mm/sec vertical & horizontal
• 5 motorised curtain tracks
• 2 scenery handling trolley mounted chainhoists
• Stage floor structure and flooring
• Catwalks, perches and access systems
In addition, the ‘Explorers Lounge’ was equipped with a rotating thrust stage, lighting grid, motorised curtain tracks and projection screen and the ‘Club Fusion’ lounge was equipped with a bespoke fixed lighting grid. All of this equipment was designed by Stage Technologies, manufactured in the UK and shipped to Japan for installation under our supervision by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries team.
Unfortunately, a major fire during the construction of the first vessel resulted in a significant amount of work having to be repeated and a radical change to the schedule. The two ships were delivered within 4 months of each other, which was a remarkable achievement by all concerned.
