A Riedel Communications Artist digital matrix intercom system is being used for communications throughout The House of Dancing Water, a breathtaking in-the-round water show created by the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group for the Macau (China) City of Dreams entertainment complex.
“The Riedel solution was originally specified by the sound designer, Francois Bergeron of the Thinkwell Group in the U.S.,” says Jason Graham, head of sound at Dragone Macau Limited. “We continue to work with Riedel’s Artist primarily for its reliability, stability, and seemingly limitless flexibility. All of these factors are important due to the integral role the system plays in uniting everyone who is working on the show.”
Designed by Pei Partnership Architects, the state-of-the-art Dancing Water Theatre created for The House of Dancing Water includes a stage pool that holds a record-breaking 3.7 million gallons of water, equivalent to five Olympic-sized swimming pools, within an arena boasting a 40-meter-high steel-trussed space that provides the generous height required for the show’s diving and acrobatics elements. The show itself centers on an epic love story and spectacular journey through time, showcasing dazzling costumes, special effects, and performances.
One Riedel Artist 64 frame and two Artist 32 frames support 62 panels distributed across the Dancing Water Theatre. The motocross stunt riders and acrobatic performers, coupled with the technical teams, use the Artist intercom system for continual communication during the show, which features visuals, water, and atmospheric effects. Even in the aquatics area, the Artist system supports communications with performers and underwater performer handlers in the pool via underwater speakers, in-mask communications systems, and buddy phones. Lighting, stage management, rigging, automation, sfx, and audio technicians use the remaining bulk of the panels.
Riedel Director software enables intuitive management and configuration of the system while also facilitating real-time system monitoring from multiple computers. Monitored by the sound department, the Director software gives the sound team the ability to respond to configuration requests and to perform troubleshooting at a moment’s notice.
“Our Artist intercom system delivers the exceptional versatility and performance required in the most demanding and complex live production environments,” says Hans Chia, rental operations manager at Riedel Communications. “The House of Dancing Water is no exception. The Artist provides the clear, reliable communications that are essential in orchestrating this ambitious live show.”