Thursford Spectacular Specs Shure

10.02.2005

The Thursford Collection is a steam museum housing traction engines, mechanical organs and a fantastic example of a fully functioning Wurlitzer cinema organ that also hosts the widely acclaimed annual Thursford Christmas Spectacular. For the Christmas Show the museum is transformed into a 1,400-seat auditorium with a cast of over 100 professional performers to entertain just over 104,000 people over the course of the six-week run, consisting of 70 plus performances.

 

For a number of years the show has been heavily reliant on Shure radio microphone systems making extensive use of the UHF premier series U2/Beta87A™ handheld transmitters and U4D diversity receivers.

 

Steve Brodie, of Brodie AMS, commented, "We continue to use Shure due to their fantastic reliability and versatility, as in this show we do everything from 'Gimme Some Lovin' to 'Ava Maria'. The whole auditorium is used as a performance area so if the Director wants a soloist "there!" we need a mic that can cope with a variety of scenarios; the Beta 87A™ head fits that bill."

 

This year Steve added an additional 10 channels of UHF premier wireless comprising U1 bodypack transmitters, U4D receivers and UA845 antennae distribution. Also utilised were 15 Shure Microflex MX202 overhead mics positioned over the aisles for pick-up of choir processionals along with Shure's VP88 mic as the main stereo pair for recording the show, to be released later this year.

 

Steve continued to say, "It made sense to stick with Shure having been so well served by the kit we already had."

 

As the Thursford Christmas Spectacular is a genuine variety show with each scene being entirely different in style and content, the Shure U1 bodypack transmitters are worked really hard, being swapped between soloists for every number. Due to the intense nature of the show, there is a cast of around 40 singers, with as many as 14 shows a week and a cast rotation system whereby the soloists change each day. Despite the continued exchanging of bodypacks, not one radio mic went 'down' during the entire 70-show run.

 

Steve concluded, "The smooth running of such an intense and complex show is a real testament to Shure and to Ian Savage my Sound Assistant."

 

For further information, contact Shure Distribution UK on 020 8808 2222, email info@shuredistribution.co.uk or visit www.shuredistribution.co.uk


Release 16