The large oval shaped stage was split into two levels, accommodating the live orchestra, dancers and guest choirs that would join in each city. A central catwalk led to a B-stage designed to get Hugh further into the audience with steps leading down to the house floor so he could be amongst his fans which was very important. The Grand Staircase in the centre led Hugh and the performers up to a mezzanine level in front of the video to create a multi-level performance space.

The video backdrop, known as the Hollywood Squares, came from the notion of the geometries of old Victorian theatre and the early circus, where the vertical space was divided into boxes for the audience to observe the shows. Through creative development, it was clear these video squares would reflect the vibrant musical atmosphere and could be used in multiple ways with lights and video content to create various environments for a truly dynamic performance. Our collaboration with the lighting and video teams really enhanced the squares to become a canyon that engulfed ‘The Sun’, an 8m diameter screen in the centre that completed the landscape.