WWW.LSIONLINE.COM • APRIL 2020 55O ON TOUR
Steve Moles reports from the homecoming
concert of the BRIT Award-winning singer as he
performs at the SSE Hydro arena in Glasgow...
A front truss holds a dense row of SGM Q7 LED floods rigged
vertically across it and focussed out into the audience. Those
elements apart, the rest of the flown lighting rig is relatively
diffuse and very particular in its application, a single BMFL for an
upstage centre remote-operated followspot for example, or three
strategically placed Claypaky Unicos overhead the FOH scissor
lift. So far, so minimal.
Then there are the roller-drop screens supplied by WIcreations.
Five of them positioned downstage of the risers but upstage of
Capaldi’s mic’ line do, when lowered, completely mask the
stage - though they are all translucent so when ‘in’ we never
lose touch with the band behind. Four more are positioned
two-a-side tapering upstage to the rear LED screen. These nine
projection surfaces are the dominant influence of the Cassius
design: fed by six Panasonic 30K laser projectors (more on
these elsewhere), they are routinely filled with live images of
Capaldi. Sounds simple, but it’s a device Cassius exploits to
huge effect, both in the terms of the artistry applied to the
images, and in the way the roller-drops are used to re-shape the
stage through use in differing combinations. They bring great
drama and engagement.
Cassius as an entity has been around since 2016, but Squib and
Hill first met at university. “We both did theatre lighting,” says Hill,
“but we both left and went off to do things independently of each
other. We remained good friends and often found ourselves doing
stuff together or supporting one another’s work. Cassius was
a logical progression for a number of reasons. We are lucky that
we have similar opinions about things and both enjoy the process
of doing things together.” It’s interesting to interview Squib and
Hill at work; while they present as distinctly different characters,
there’s a tangible synergy. They don’t finish one another’s
sentences, but when one makes a statement in answer to
a question, the other will contribute a different perspective.
Figuratively speaking, that’s creativity in action.Hill continues: “There is no set pattern, one or the other of us
will formulate a base idea.” At which point Squib interjects with:
“It’s easy to overlook something if you’re working alone. That
tends not to happen with us because one of us always has the
room to stand apart and be objective. Working together gives us
a sort of instant hindsight, so nothing is overlooked.”A potent rationale for design partnership. “That doesn’t mean
people can’t produce good work on their own. There are lots of
talented people who work as individuals, but for us doing it this
way is more enjoyable; if nothing else, shared problems are
more quickly solved.”“In terms of process we are equally fluid,” Hill continues. “Squib
might engage with suppliers, while I get on with the
programming - but those roles are easily interchangeable. We are
always deeply involved in our projects, so if one needs to take the
reins from the other, it’s seamless. It also means we get to take
holidays, something not so easy when you’re on your own. One
thing we always try to do is be together during rehearsals. That’s
such an important time.”