The Brief

Wentworth Golf club had an 'X factor' feel for the most recent British Airways charity fundraiser for Comic Relief charity 'flying start'.

VIP guests enjoyed a star studded line up headed by Take That front man Gary Barlow alongside Stacey Soloman, Matt Cardle and impressionist Jon Culshaw, hosted by BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan.

Solution

The event was produced by Windsor based production company, Penguins Events, who certainly had to overcome a series of significant challenges to ensure the acts were able to perform. The biggest challenge was finding the space for Gary Barlow's band. Gary is on a sell-out tour around the UK and this meant that we had to find space for the whole band set up, this includes all the musicians who would normally support a full Take That stadium show!

"We had to find space anywhere we could, including positioning a good chunk of the hardware and audio kit outside in the loading area. We even emptied out a cleaning cupboard so we could find room for the guitar racks and a guitar technician." - Richard Bowden

Wentworth Ballroom is beautiful, but not the biggest venue in the world. We wanted to create an intimate atmosphere as well as a spectacular show. This meant keeping the highest quality of sound and lighting design, but hiding it at the same time so we didn’t become obstructive. We wanted to have our cake and eat it!

We provided the following services:

• Production management and planning  
• Stage planning and room decor
• Audio, Video and Lighting

Result

It seems like Penguins and BA were successful, as so many of the guests have remarked on it being one of the most extraordinary nights of entertainment. To have Gary Barlow perform to such a small group in such a personal way was such a fantastic experience and a genuine once in a lifetime experience.

Over £100,000 was raised to help vaccinate children in Ghana, so it was a highly successful occasion in every possible way.