Hawthorn provided full technical production for two evening events during the BBC Worldwide Showcase last month, held at ACC Liverpool. 

A night of exclusive previews, actor appearances and music performances took place on 23 February at the Echo Arena. Peter Harding, Hawthorn’s director, developed the final layout of the event, which was hosted from a central position, with guests seated in zones around the main show area.

“There was a massive amount of content to squeeze into a show, and some of the logistics were quite demanding,” Harding said. “As it was an in-the-round show, one of the tasks included moving Paolo Nutini’s set in and out seamlessly during the drinks reception.” 

Hawthorn’s team used more than 106 Clay Paky Sharpy fixtures to create a light cage, which pivoted and changed colour in sync with guests’ LED wristbands. The wristbands flashed blue, red, green or yellow in coordination with the arena’s lighting to direct guests to their designated dining zones.

Alongside Nutini, The Backstreet Boys, dancers from Strictly Come Dancing, John Cleese, Chris Martin, Russell Tovey, and David Attenborough all made appearances. Mark Hornsby and Dave Barton, Hawthorn’s head of audio and head of video, respectively, worked to create an impressive event for everyone. 

The next night, on 24 February, Hawthorn helped the BBC stage a Wolf Hall-inspired dinner at Liverpool Cathedral.

Guests entered the Cathedral through several different points of the building, with immersive experiences beginning immediately upon arrival. Hawthorn lit the venue’s stained glass windows from the inside, and custom animations of quotes from the BBC One series were projected alongside the North and South Choir aisles during the reception.

Hawthorn also installed a custom-built projection screen using curved truss, which sat under the archway of the Nave Bridge and served as the main focal point for content throughout the event. 

“We could not put on events of this scale without the ability to rely on the professional dedication provided by our known and trusted suppliers,” said BBC Worldwide’s head of global events. “We have been working with the Hawthorn team for a number of years and their expertise in this area along with freelance experts is key to ensuring we continue to deliver the BBC Worldwide Showcase.”

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