MDG has made some unusual new friends, namely Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad from the riverbank. The Wind in the Willows the musical, has had a riotous run at the London Palladium this Summer. Spectacularly produced by Jamie Hendry Productions the show has been a sheer delight.
Neil McDermott and the company of The Wind in the Willows. Photo by Marc Brenner, Jamie Hendry Productions
The production’s lighting designer, Howard Harrison, insisted on using two MDG ATMe™ haze generators for this show. Harrison commented, “MDG is one of the super companies I have always believed in. They produce very good high-quality products and I have used their machines for a very long time. In fact, I don’t think I have ever done a musical in the West End without using them for as long as they have existed. I am a big fan”.
He said, “The Wind in the Willows is a fun show, with beautiful sets and costumes, lots of scenery and a beautiful theatre to work in. We use plenty of haze in the show, but this was the first time I have used ATMe machines and I was incredibly impressed by them. It was like having all the good things of the older MDG machines but with the benefit of new controls, where you can have precise control over the output, as opposed to just switching it on and off.”
Neil McDermott and the UK tour company of The Wind in the Willows. Photo by Marc Brenner, Jamie Hendry Productions.
The ATMe machines were situated on perches downstage left and upstage right, from where they were perfectly positioned to fill the stage with haze. The nature of The Wind in the Willows which takes place on a river bank in the mornings and evenings allowed Harrison to make perfect use of the haze to create the misty, watery, atmospheric effects required.
“One of the things I like about the machines is that they produce a very fine haze, it never clouds up and only shows when you shine a light through it, which is exactly what haze should be,” says Harrison. “Actors and singers are not panicked by volumes of haze because it is so fine, so we can use a lot of it and they are not affected either physically or psychologically, which is a big help.
“Over the years people have suggested other haze machines to me which they believe to be as good as MDG. I’ve tried them, but the reality is they are not as good. I am keen to use the best haze, and always want the kind of haze that MDG produces. They don’t compromise on quality.”
Neil McDermott (Chief Weasel), Craig Mather (Mole) and Company in The Wind in the Willows. CREDIT Darren Bell.
ATMe is an evolution of the industry standard MDG ATMOSPHERE™ haze generator.
It has the added advantage of increased efficiency, with an identical power consumption and footprint, but almost double the output. Built-in DMX/RDM control allows precise remote control over the flow of the output from a fine haze, to a rolling fog all from the comfort and convenience of the control desk.
These haze generators are renowned for producing the finest haze with the longest hang time and are extremely quiet. They also have the lowest fluid consumption on the market.
For more information on :
- MDG’s ATMe hazer and other MDG fog, haze and atmosphere generators, visit le MDG website
- Wind in the Willows at the London Palladium, visit willowsmusical.com
Text MDG
