Denmark-based Motor Stage Automation (MSA) recently supplied an automation system for Lewis Capaldi’s latest tour. The package included six custom pantographs and a special Austrian curtain, running on 500kg V-MOTION 40E drives and controlled by a MOVEKET EXPERT console.
The automation elements were integrated into the show by production design specialist, Cassius Creative, led by Chris ‘Squib’ Swain and Dan Hill, working closely with Creative Director, Beki Mari.
As soon as Production Manager, Nick Lawrie confirmed MSA as the tour’s automation supplier, Project Manager, Jimmy Johnson started the preparation with the production’s automation Crew Chief and Technician, Ben Hammett, supported by Operator and 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 15m-long jointed curved truss, trimmed at 17m, forming an arch around the upstage edge of the oval-shaped stage.
A 500kg 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 three Ayrton Rivale moving lights.
The pantographs have a 10m reach, can accept loads up to 250kg 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 Lights, 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 15m wide by 15.5m 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 before lifting. 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. It comprises a long barrel with ribbon drums that is integrated with a MOVEKET V-MOTION 40E drive for the lifting action.
Hammett recalls 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 enthused. “With the added pre-tour support and equipment handover overseen by Jimmy at Motor Stage Automation, our touring automation system was flawless.”
Meg Oakland, one of the touring carpenters, assisted MSA day-to-day in assembling the Austrian drape during load-ins. “Her work and attitude were very much welcomed,” commented Diaz, adding that MSA also enjoyed the spirit and teamwork of the Neg Earth crew.
Diaz 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.
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.
