Stage Electrics’ new addition to its hire stock the smartStage 45 was fully utilised and added that extra value to the Exeter city centre Christmas lights switch on.The smartStage 45 is a mobile stage trailer with a characteristic lean to roof and a set up time of only 30 minutes. It offers a tandem axle and overrunning brakes and the roof is lifted using an electro-hydraulic system with remote control. The £45,000 stage conforms to the temporary demountable guidelines of 5kM/m² and was launched by Stage Electrics at the Showman’s Show in Newbury in October 2007.

Stage Electrics has supplied the lighting and sound equipment for the event for the last three years, previously the official switch on team performed from a traditional modular stage system, ground support truss and a tarpaulin roof.
Simon Foster Project Manager for the event explained “Access into the area is very limited, narrow streets that would simply be too small to safely unload a large truck and the actual space for the stage is just too tight for some of the other stage solutions we supply. The smartStage was delivered to site by a LT46 Van and arrived at 07.30, once we had unhitched it we could adjust the final placement using just man power which worked really well. Our team of 5, of which 4 were smartStage novices, completed the install including lighting and sound in under 4 hours.”

The 2007 switch on team consisted of The Lord Mayor, Matt & Charlie from Gemini FM assisted by Exeter Northcott Theatre’s pantomime dame Steve Bennett. Gemini FM, BBC Spotlight and ITV West Country covered the event.
Other equipment supplied for the event included lighting of Par64’s, MAC250’s, MAC500’s and audio including radio mics, a EAW KF730 Line Array System and a Yamaha LS9 32 channel digital desk.

“We have had excellent positive feedback” concluded Foster “the smartStage 45 is a very useful piece of equipment which is easy to use, already we have had enquiries about the stage from people in the audience, I can see the future demand is going to be high.”

“The staging exactly met our requirements for a public event of some 5,000 or more people providing the degree of presence and flexibility needed for a fun event which was about safe public participation and entertainment” Richard Ball, Head of Economy And Tourism at the City Council commented.