Showforce assist with Disney’s ice show in the Middle East
Posted by
When the latest Disney On Ice production ‘Princesses & Heroes’ was brought to the Middle East by Sports & Entertainment Solutions FZ LLC this May and June, Showforce were on hand to provide the full spectrum of staffing solutions including stage crew, skilled technicians, logistical personnel, demonstrators, follow spot operators and event staff.
The performances wowed audiences with spectacular artistic skating, acrobatics and stunning full scale production. It will feature eight Disney Princesses including Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White, alongside Frozen characters Anna, Elsa and even Olaf the snowman.
The first part of the tour took place at the Qatar National Convention Center from May 27th to 30th, before moving to the Dubai World Trade Centre from June 10th to 13th, Showforce commenced work on May 19th. First onsite, from their team, was an assistant production manager who is worked closely with Sports & Entertainment Solutions’ production manager, overseeing the smooth running of the project.
An experienced team of stage crew led by a crew manager assisted with all aspects of the production. The work began with the team unloading containers and moving kit in to the venue. They then assembled the ice rink, once complete a team of two worked 12 hour shifts on rotation for 48 hours, monitoring the water being turned into ice.
Additional stage crew assisted with the installation of staging, trussing, lighting and sound. With 11 shows on the Doha leg of the tour Showforce also provided follow spot operators and stage hands for back of house to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Once the run in Qatar came to an end the crew had just 48 hours to dismantle all the kit and load it onto to trucks heading to the UAE.
During show days almost one hundred of Showforce’s event staff were on-hand to help front of house, from selling tickets and merchandising to VIP hostesses and ushers guiding guests to their seats.
Ali Haidary, founder & CEO of Sports & Entertainment Solutions FZ LLC, said: “Showforce has been working with us on our Disney shows since Mickey’s Music Festival in February and March of 2014. They have always provided us with incredibly professional and highly skilled personnel and their assistance with delivering successful shows has been invaluable. Their assistance with the Princesses and Heroes tour has been no exception, we’re delighted with the support we have received from them and the shows have been an incredible success.”
Ian Spendlove, Showforce’s founder and chief executive, added: “This is our second year assisting Sports & Entertainment Solutions FZ LLC with the prestigious Disney shows and we’re hugely proud of our involvement. Our ability to provide them with a turnkey staffing solution makes us the perfect supplier for the production. ”
