The system involves a “train set” that takes scenery from the theatre warehouse to the stage area and the fly-tower. The fly-tower then moves the scenery on stage. The transport was installed by Clarke Chapman and the fly-tower by German company Krupp.
Insiders dismissed reports that the systems could not be operated together. One source said: “The system is ready and it works but the opera house crew is not used to working with it. The opera house was too ambitious about the number of shows it wanted to do. It is a very complex system and you have to learn to walk before you can run. Cancelling the show gives them breathing space to learn more about the system.”
A spokesman for construction manager Schal said: “The cancellation is basically an opera house issue. The Royal Opera House was given access to the stage area in September, on schedule. Our overriding priority is to gain approval from the district surveyor, the fire officer and the licensing authority, which was given last night.”
