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Technical overview

THE SET
Guided by the desire to pay homage to the structure of the human body, Stéphane Roy set himself a challenge: to devise a concept in which each set element was an essential part of a whole. From start to finish, it took six months of intensive conceptual work, four months of construction and two months of fine-tuning to produce an immense technological structure that also doubles as an acrobatic prop.

Given the structure's uniqueness and complexity, setting it up under the Big Top takes approximately 50 specialized technicians about 50 hours to complete.

THE STAGE
The floor is over 12.7 m (41.67 feet) in diameter. It is covered with Taraflex, a surface material designed to absorb shock and which is a key factor in preventing artist injuries. Shapes painted onto the floor are meant to echo the technical rings located over the stage.
Strategically positioned around the stage are about 10 trap doors used both for artistic purposes—performers can use them to appear or disappear—and for technical purposes, during acts such as the double trapeze.

THE SUN AND ITS COMPONENTS
Three aluminum rings, each performing its own unique function, hang a little over 13 m (42.65 feet) above the stage. The first is simply called the grid. It supports the technical ring while serving as a catwalk for performers waiting to make their entrance and as a work area for riggers. At just over 11 m (36 feet) in diameter, the second and largest ring is referred to as the technical ring. It is used to hang various projectors and hold up an enormous lantern. The third and final ring, dubbed "the Sun", is the acrobatic element of the set. Measuring 6.5 m (21.32 feet) in diameter, it can be moved up and down, rotated, and placed at different angles.

THE METALLIC WALL AND ITS CLAWS
At 8 m (26.25 feet) high and 18 m (59 feet) wide, the metallic wall resembles an immense coat of mail. The wall is semi-transparent and covered with perforated aluminum. Serving as both an orchestra pit and the wings of the stage, the wall supports technical elements (the claws), technicians and artists, whether they are suspended, attached to or climbing the wall. Made of steel and aluminum, the claws are a little over 5 m (16.4 feet) long. They are enormous cantilevered hooks attached to the wall 7 m (23 feet) above the stage.

LIGHTING
To create a timeless and unreal ambience, the Lighting Designer employs 105 dimmers, 16 intelligent projectors, 60 ellipsoidal projectors, 16 Fresnel spots, 115 Pars, 72 colour hangers and 4 follow spots. The 160 kW system is controlled by a programmable lighting console.

SOUND
The Big Top and its set always present a challenge from the standpoint of sound. For Dralion, controlling acoustic reflection off the canvas and set is paramount. Designed in France , L-Acoustics is the brand new system used on tour to facilitate the dispersal of sound waves.

SOUND EQUIPMENT