The stage wagons at the Muziektheater rest on air casters and can be tracked or manually moved about the stage.  Visual act is in the process of rebuilding the wagons so as to allow for automated movement.  Each wagon will be fitted with cassettes containing Visual act drive modules and control equipment.  The cassettes slide into the ends of the 200mm high wagons.  Air pressure is used to lower the drive units to the floor and maintain an even load on the drive wheels regardless of the load on the wagons.

The wagons can be operated individually or in combination.  A group of 5 allows the movement of an entire set to or from the stage.  The wagons will have all the features of the Visual act Advanced system – including wireless control and accurate navigation.

Installation at Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam, The Netherland

The Finnish National Opera has invested in two Visual act Advanced Stage Wagons today used for the Opera “The Hour of the Serpent “.

"The Hour of the Serpent" at the Finnish National Opera - Photo: Stefan Bremer

“We are really satisfied with the wagons and the artistic possibillities they have brought in to the performance. Everything has been going very well. My work is much easier today. When you learn things the wagons are easy to use, and now when the performance is over I want to dig deep into the technic of the wagon” says Kim Juntunen responsible Stage Wagon operator at The Helsinki Opera.

“Director Erik Söderblom together with set designers Kati Lukka and Antti Mattila have done a spectacular job in making use of the technology available at the Opera to a virtuoso extreme.” – Hufvudstadsbladet, J.G. H, Helsinki.

“The Hour of the Serpent” is a romantic tale of fervour and death, set to voluptuously rich and beautiful music by Mikko Heiniö.

Conductor Hannu Lintu
Director Erik Söderblom
Sets Kati Lukka, Antti Mattila
Costumes Pirjo Liiri-Majava
Lighting design Tarja Ervasti
Libretto Juha Siltanen