Belgravia

Belgravia

Birthday Party Fireworks, Belgravia 2009

“Now … the venue is quite small…, well it’s a big back garden actually… big for London, well, big for Belgravia anyway… and the show’s next week…” Ok, so maybe I can’t remember the precise conversation but it was something along those lines. I really don’t know what it is that makes us prick up our ears when we sense that a display is going to be challenging, time-consuming, unique and hard work, but we seem to slip seamlessly into Challenge Anneka mode…

So the garden was about 12m x 10m, with lots of flowerbeds, overhanging trees, and of course we needed to leave space for the audience on the steps. A bit more exploration revealed a mews block offering rooftop firing potential for the BIG stuff (60mm mines!), and we agreed the details of a close proximity pyrotechnic show with the client, digitally fired and choreographed to music (Carnaval de Venice, seeing as you ask). A huge piece of custom lancework was constructed, we scoured the land for material suitable to fulfill the client’s wish for violets, lilacs, purples and blues. Glenn designed and programmed the hundreds of cues for the pyro and gas flames and before we knew it we were on site. The rig came together fairly quickly – there wasn’t a long way to walk between positions! – and by sunset we were enjoying tea and ginger nuts in the garden courtesy of the client – thanks Mrs R!

When show time came the garden sprang into pyrotechnic life to the delight of the audience. Silvers set off the violet and blue palette, wheels turned, lancework appeared and flames danced, all perfectly in time to the jolly accordion soundtrack. Thanks to Pippa Davies for inviting us along to show what we could do for her client’s event.

“Wonderful, thank you so much!” Mrs R, the Client!