Motor Stage Automation (MSA) supplied a complete automation system to the recent Lewis Capaldi tour – comprising 6 custom pantographs and a special Austrian curtain, all running on 500 kg V-MOTION 40E drives and controlled via a Moveket “EXPERT” console.
The automation elements were integrated into the show by Cassius Creative, led by Squib (Chris Swain) and Dan Hill, the production designers (set & lighting), who were working closely with creative director Beki Mari.
As soon as production manager Nick Lawrie confirmed MSA as the automation supplier, their project manager Jimmy Johnson started the prep with the production’s automation crew chief / technician Ben Hammett, who was out on the road with the tour together with operator / technician Jody Diaz Francis, also working directly for production.
The pantograph design was a collaboration between MSA’s Christian Vigsø and Italian engineering and manufacturing company, Alfasystem.
The pantographs were hung beneath a 15-metre-long jointed curved truss, trimmed at 17 metres, forming an arch around the upstage edge of the oval-shaped stage.
A 500 kg Moveket variable speed hoist, hanging from the truss, sat inside each pantograph and was connected to the bottom of each one, making it load-bearing. Below each pantograph on this tour was a bar of 3 Ayrton Rivale moving lights.
The pantographs have a striking 10-metre reach, can accept loads up to 250 kg on the bottom. They are prewired for powerCON TRUE1 and EtherCON data, enabling use for either lighting or video components.
The lights on the bars were supplied by Neg Earth, the tour’s main lighting and rigging rental provider. Pantographs proved to be a simple, elegant, and dramatic solution that allowed the performance space to be transformed into different environments, looks and shapes.
The Austrian drape is 15 metres wide by 15.5 metres tall and made up of grey fabric. It was in at the start of the show, during which time it was used as a projection surface then lifted up.
The requirement here for MSA was to spec a graceful and fluid method for raising and lowering the curtain, for which their proprietary M-Drop system was used.
M-Drop is another ingenious device designed and engineered by MSA and Alfasystem. Itcomprises a long barrel with ribbon drums that is integrated with a Moveket V-MOTION 40E drive for the lifting action.
Hammett recalled that when this turned up at production rehearsals, the ribbon drums needed to be extended to accommodate more tape. So, the MSA team designed some extension sidewalls; 3D printed prototypes in-house, then had a local fabricator laser cut and deliver the 100 pieces plus spares in less than 24 hours. “I was impressed!” he stated. “With the added pre-tour support and equipment handover overseen by Johnson at Motor Stage Automation, our touring automation system was flawless.”
After consultation with Mari, Squib and Hill would talk about cues directly to Diaz Francis during rehearsals and at the start of the tour, and he would then program the Moveket console accordingly and ensure that his show file was kept updated correctly.
Meg Oakland, one of the touring carpenters, assisted Diaz Francis and Hammett day-to-day in assembling the Austrian drape during load-ins. “Her work and attitude were very much welcomed,” commented Diaz Francis, adding that they also enjoyed the spirit and teamwork of the Neg Earth crew.
Diaz Francis is based in Cádiz, Spain – where he runs his kinetic design company, The JoJo Studio – and this was the first time he was working with MSA as a supplier, although he was aware of their presence and that they had invested heavily in Moveket. He has found the experience to be very positive. Hammett and Johnson prepped the kit as he was busy on another tour during that time, but once out on the road, everything was straightforward and ran smoothly.
Johnson and the team at MSA recall the positive and welcoming feeling received from the Lewis Capaldi production, and their forward-thinking attitude to modern-day touring.
Lewis Capaldi toured Australia and New Zealand in November and December and has already announced an extensive schedule of gigs for 2026, including major festivals, as his popularity continues to expand and grow.
