CLIENT
Sharjah Media Centre / Multiple International / Spinifex Group
LOCATION
Sharjah, UAE (2014)
Cairo, Egypt (2015)
YEAR
2014 & 2015
PROJECT TYPE
Live Event / Immersive Theatre
Scope
Complete sound design and control for an immersive theatrical production across two international venues
Services Provided
- →Audio system design and configuration
- →Immersive sound localisation strategy
- →Signal network architecture and distribution
- →Dual-console FOH and monitoring control
- →Audio replay design and operation
- →On-site system engineering and integration
The Brief
Commissioned to mark the grand opening of the Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah, Clusters of Light was a unique fusion of theatrical performance, music and large-scale projection, telling a powerful story through a combination of spoken word, song and cinematic visuals. A year later, the production travelled to Cairo, where it was restaged at a much larger open-air venue.
Auditoria were engaged to design and deliver the complete sound solution for both performances, tailoring our approach to two very different venues while retaining the creative intent and immersive quality of the show.
The Challenge
Clusters of Light was immersive long before the term became widespread. The 40-metre-wide projection screen in Sharjah wasn’t just a backdrop, it was a central storytelling device. The sound design needed to reflect this by localising audio elements to their visual sources, all while preserving the integrity of the music and ensuring the casts’ vocals remained clear and intelligible throughout.
The venue in Cairo presented an entirely different scale and acoustic profile. While the creative brief remained the same, the system design had to be reimagined for a much larger audience area, while preserving the intimacy and localisation that defined the original experience.
Our Approach
In both Sharjah and Cairo, our design philosophy revolved around a three-system structure:
- Main music system, embedded into the front edge of stage and supported by a distributed delay ring
- LCR projection system, mounted above the projection wall, dedicated to image-related content
- 16-channel surround system, encircling the audience to reinforce the immersive environment
Each system played a distinct role in creating spatial definition. The balance between these layers allowed audiences to connect emotionally with the performance, wherever they were seated.
For control, we used a dual-engine DiGiCo SD7 console, allowing simultaneous FOH and monitor mixing with full redundancy. The signal path was supported by multiple SD racks and Optocore nodes, providing flexible routing and consistent signal quality across both venues.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Loudspeaker System
- Main music PA at stage edge with delay rings
- LCR arrays above the projection screen for image-based audio
- 16-channel spatial surround system around audience perimeter
- System adapted for both an intimate amphitheatre and a large stadium environment
FOH & Monitoring
- Dual-engine DiGiCo SD7 console
- Shared control for FOH and monitors
- Networked SD racks and Optocore fibre infrastructure for input collection and amplification
Show Control Design
Audio Replay
- Pyramix used in Sharjah, operated by Corrado Campanelli
- Ovation used in Cairo for greater flexibility for variable show elements, operated by Luis Miranda
The Results
Clusters of Light was widely praised for its emotional resonance and technical execution. The sound design played a pivotal role in delivering a deeply immersive experience that remained consistent across two dramatically different venues. By enhancing the link between audio localisation and the visual narrative, the system elevated the storytelling in a way that felt both grand and intimate.
The production’s success in Cairo proved that the immersive principles we developed for Sharjah could be effectively scaled and adapted, demonstrating the value of a flexible, layered system design in touring theatrical contexts.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
A huge thanks to Richard, Hai and Stella for inviting us to be involved in this project and congratulations to the Multiple and Spinifex team for delivering a beautiful piece of theatre.
Our Team
The Audio system was designed by Scott Willsallen. Our Sharjah team included Ian Shapcott on FOH, Corrado Campaneli on replay and Ian Cooper on systems. Our Cairo team included Richard Sharratt on FOH, Luis Miranda on replay and Shannon Gobell as technical manager.
Our Supplier
Thanks to Andy Jackson and his team from PRG Delta Sound for supplying, installing and maintaining the system for us.
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