13th May 2010

Creating Magic at Butlins

We conjured up three magical sets recently when we were asked by Phil McCandlish of production consultancy, Open Other End, to produce identical sets for Butlins' 'Billy's Magic' Abracadabra show  - part of their entertainment package at their Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness Resorts.

The brief from set designer and Butlins' Creative Director, Phil Peacock, was for a series of lightweight, durable set elements, of the highest possible quality, able to take the strain of repeated installation and dismantling to fit in with Butlins' busy entertainment schedule.

The set, themed around traditional toys, consisted of a 3m high, 7m wide 'alphabet block' proscenium arch flanked by a giant die on one side and an oversized packet of crayons on the other. Many of the set elements were trucking. These included a 2m high 1950's inspired Robot Box; a magic Chalk Board; a red and yellow circus-style lion cage; and a pink and yellow striped 'Cow's World' truck complete with sparkly pink curtain. A large Toy Box was given a 'Victorian pine' paint finish and routed lettering, whilst a 'Surprise Box' was finished to resemble cardboard. We also provided a scenic picture frame for another illusion along with masking frames with black wool serge curtains, silver glitter hand mirrors and an LED staircase.