The performance takes place in three parts as follows:
Astronaut promenade: A 10-15 minute section of performance on the mobile aerial rig. The astronaut takes off and travels up to 100 metres through audience towards the designated flat floor performance area.
Hope: This section of performance happens simulatneously to the astronaut promenade. A single female performer uses a climbing structure set to the edge of the designated flat floor area to tend to plants. This section includes water spray from the climbing structure and the female performer laying a circle of soil approx. 10m x 8m around which audiences stand.
Duet: A 10 minute section of performance involving both the astronaut and the female dancer performing together in the designated flat floor area. 5 minutes on the mobile aerial rig and 5 minutes dancing on the flat floor.
Min space requirements: 100m for promenade (ideally hard standing and level)
10m x 8m for designated flat floor area (for duet section, ideally hard standing and level)
Audio: one free standing PA for designated flat floor area. One mounted to mobile aerial rig for Astronaut promenade.
GENERAL INFO
Hope: Structure
TECHINAL INFORMATION
Touring Personal:
5 Performers and 1x Production Manager
Get in: 1 hour
Get Out: 45 minutes
Parking Required: 1x car 1x van and 1x trailer (L 3.2m H 4.1m)
The rig is transported as a complete unit on a Vehicle Trailer towed by a LWB van.
Set:
Mobile aerial rig- a four wheeled pyramid structure with a large main beam on the top point of the pyramid with counterbalance system to allow a harnessed performer to be lifted up to 20ft and rotated left and right 360 degrees. Operated and powered by 3 performers.
Rig dimensions- Length 4m, Width 1.87m, Height 2.7m
Climbing Structure- Free standing metal braced structure. Incorporating water spray feature which sprays a mist of water up to 5 metres for the structure for 30 seconds on two occasions during the Hope section. Performer can climb the structure and is attached at structure’s highest point by a climbing harness and swivel carabina.
Structure dimensions: Height 4.5m, Highest standing platform 2.6m, Footprint 6.6m2
Suitcase containing earth and small plants to be laid and planted by the female performer
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Running Time: 30 Mins
10-15 minutes promenade 10 mins duet on rig and floor
Stewarding and security:
Requirements for promenade ideally 4x stewards. 2x Stewards at the front guarding the area in front of the astronaut. 2x stewards securing the rear of the rig, allowing a 3 metre space behind the rig to allow the operator to move forward and back when operating the flying aspect of the promenade.
1 x steward at Designated flat floor area to manage audience around climbing structure.
Secure overnight storage for rig on trailer where required.
FAQs
•Do we require any additional equipment?
A PA is required for use at the designated flat floor area- and technical staff to operate PA.
Access to running water to fill spray cans
•What are the stewarding requirements?
Requirements for promenade ideally 4x stewards. 2x Stewards at the front guarding the area in front of the astronaut. 2x stewards securing the rear of the rig, allowing a 3 x metre space behind the rig to allow the operator to move forward and back when operating the flying aspect of the promenade.
1 x steward at Designated flat floor area to manage audience around climbing structure.
•Do we require any fencing/barriers?
Not during the performance.
Fencing or barrier is required to guard both the rig and structure if left in the public arena between performances.
•Can the performance be presented on grass?
The mobile aerial rig has been adapted to provide wheels that allow for movement on softer, more uneven surfaces like grass. We are confident that grass is not an issue, unless it is water logged, very muddy or very bumpy/uneven.
In the case that weather impedes the performance, making the grass area too wet/slippy/muddy there is a B version of the dynamic section of the performance, which keeps the rig more static and requires the astronaut to perform off the rig for a larger percentage of the performance.
•Are there any Weather restrictions for performing or contingency plans for bad weather?
Rain and Unfavourable Weather: Performances of Urban Astronaut will take place in light rain and moderate winds, but are not possible during heavy downpours or very strong winds. The decision to proceed with a performance during unfavourable weather is at the discretion of the project director: Mark Worth.
Extremes of Temperature: In relation to the performance of Urban Astronaut on a very hot day, the risk of heat stroke must be considered. This problem is compounded by performers wearing costumes with reduced ability to breathe, therefore extreme high temperatures must be managed with the provision of appropriate facilities, this may include rescheduling the performance or to a different time of day, access to water, shade, and rest facilities.
•Do you have Public Liability insurance?
The company has Public Liability with an indemnity of £5,000,000.
•What are the accommodation details, numbers of performers/crew and number of rooms required?
The performance has 2 performers and three crew members. A total of 5 on the road.
All require single rooms.
•What is the number of performances we can offer per day and what time do we require between shows?
Maximum of three performances per day.
With a minimum of 2 hours between show if performing in the same area, three hours if moving to new location between performances.
•What is the length of the performance?
30 minutes.
•How can we access marketing copy/ hi res images of the performance?
All marketing assets are available via a Dropbox link, available on request.
•What are the commissioning credits for the performance?
Urban Astronaut is commissioned by Without Walls and Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival, Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Out There International Festival of Circus & Street Arts. Supported by Gi20.
•What is a typical schedule for the performance including - arrivals/get in and get out times/ does this require any other help?
Arrive, unload and set up 1 hour
Get in to costumes 15 minutes
Onsite before performance 30 minute prior to start time
Performance 30 minutes
Get out- change, pack van, load rig 45 minutes
No additional technical support is required.
•Risk assessment
The performance is fully risk assessed.
Technical plans, method statements, wind management plans and risk assessments are all available on request.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
In relation to the performance of Urban Astronaut please note the following considerations:
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Before any performance of Urban Astronaut both performers and crew will need to visit and mark through the performance areas for both the promenade and dance sections of the performance in order to ensure any trip hazards are identified and isolated from access routes.
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All electrical equipment is regularly checked and is safe and protected from electrical shock.
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Construction materials and paint finishes used are safe for public contact.
Highly Sprung remain responsible for the general health and safety of all persons connected to the performance and have the jurisdiction to make alterations or cancellations where the safety of any persons connected to the performance is or might be compromised.
Flying and Operation of the ‘rig’:
Any person undertaking flying operations must be appropriately trained and competent, all crew operating the rig must be to operate the relevant equipment to the satisfaction of Highly Sprung. In particular:
o only ever rig loads that are appropriately calibrated
o ensure that all persons are protected from injury by means of appropriate barriers/safety equipment;
o check braking systems of flying systems prior to use;
o test that cabling and winches of flying systems are in line with manufacturer’s recommendations;
o use a safety factor of 10:1 when suspending people;
o plan aerial performance sequences with appropriate rigging for the size of the performer(s)
Safe working practices for flying and operation of the ‘rig’ include:
never exceed safe working loads;
ensure the rig is being used as designed and constructed in a manner appropriate for flying;
Highly Sprung Health and Safety Commitment:
All persons working for Highly Sprung have a key role to play in the implementation of health and safety strategies on all productions and events. In their own interests, and as a legal obligation, all persons therefore have a responsibility to ensure that nothing is done to make health and safety provisions less effective.
All who are involved in providing services and/or working on productions or events must ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, at all times their work activities and equipment are not likely to result in damage to themselves, to others, or their working environment. In particular, persons must:
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work in a healthy and safe manner;
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ensure they do not endanger any other person through any act or omission at work;
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obey all instructions, such as policies and procedures issued to protect their own personal health and safety, the health and safety of others and adhere to standard work procedures;
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encourage others to work in a healthy and safe manner;
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cooperate, consult on and promote occupational health, safety and welfare matters in the workplace;
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report and work to rectify (where possible) any hazards within the workplace;
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report any injuries and incidents to their supervisor as soon as possible after the incident;
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ensure that correct use is made of all equipment provided for health and safety purposes;
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ensure that they are not, by the consumption of alcohol or any other drug, in such a state as to endanger their own safety at work or the safety of any other person in the workplace environment; and
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cooperate with investigating authorities.