Synergy Events is a relatively new venture and one you might not immediately think of as being an integral part of the UK’s varied and plentiful airshow circuit. The same could not be said of its founders however.
Colin and Fran Hitchins (Air Displays International) are best known for many years of success as the organisers of the Biggin Hill Air Fair while Andy Pawsey is ex Royal Air Force Events Team, was creator of the RAF Role Demonstration of 2007 / 2008 and is one of the most experienced airshow commentators around.
“Our aim is actually quite simple,” Andy tells me, “it is to stage military-based events that combine various elements such as live action, music and film footage in a seamless way.”
Now, you might not think that is incredibly innovative on the face of it, but those of you who attended Synergy’s first event at Chartwell House in Kent last year will know that it does indeed move the concept in to a new dimension. The 2010 event, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Britain, was a huge success and this year’s sees Synergy pushing the boundaries even further.
“It’s not easy to compare what we do with other events,” Andy agrees, “this is more like musical theatre and is actually very different from other types of similar events, if that makes sense, such as Music in the Air and the Battle Proms.
“What we set out to do was to improve on the standard, and it has been tried often but has mainly failed, and truly create theatre in the air. Working on these projects with Colin made complete sense as not only do we go back a long way but he has always been the most receptive civilian airshow organiser when it came to integrating this kind of approach. You only have to look at the way Biggin Hill worked with the RAF’s Role Demo and staged last year’s Battle of Britain set-piece for examples of that.”
So how will it come together in practice? If you have visited one of these kinds of events before you will know that the band normally plays a fairly standard programme of music; aircraft display at various points; something might happen on the ground; the screens show some footage and it might all be narrated. What Synergy is trying to do is blend all those things together to create a far more coherent, and therefore engaging, experience.
After last year’s Battle of Britain / Blitz event, Synergy decided to take a more contemporary approach for 2011 and look at the current role of the Royal Air Force, with a 'Then & Now' spin. The event is being staged at the National Trust’s Chartwell House once again with the full backing of the RAF including the Presentation Team which will be providing narration for a number of the performance’s segments. These include the likes of ‘Defending Britain’s Skies’, ‘Support Helicopters’, ‘Close Air Support’ and ‘Search and Rescue’, among others.
“Our events will always seek to combine different presentation elements with the highest production values. We want to tell stories, to engage with the spectators, we want to make them laugh and make them cry," says Andy.
“So, for this year's concert we have: the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, which will be playing a massively challenging programme incidentally, The Spitfires Choir which is made up of sixteen personnel, no less than 50 Air Training Corps Cadets, the narration by the RAF’s Presentation Team, an Opera Singer and a contemporary singer in the shape of Stacey Solomon.
“That’s not all – there will be sound effects, visual effects, aircraft displays and flypasts, bespoke edited video footage, much of which has never been seen before, from the archives of the British Defence Film Library, outstanding still imagery, cadet musicians and guest speakers, including Winston Churchill’s grandson Randolph.”
As you can probably imagine, bringing so many creative and differing elements together so that they result in a cohesive performance is a long and tricky task and probably that which sets Synergy apart.
“Everything is written and choreographed to the second,” smiles Andy, “and it takes approximately six months of solid work to do so.
“Coordinating and directing it all could be a nightmare if the plan started to unravel, but everyone is so professional and we trust them to do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it!”
While the first half of the concert takes part in daylight (with the aircraft), the second half will actually take part in darkness (“for dramatic effect”) and naturally there will be a big patriotic finish.
Thus far the flying display elements include a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF’s Chinook demonstration and The Blades. With just over a week to go there is still a possibility that list might grow, but hardened airshow enthusiasts should remember that the aircraft form just one part of the overall experience, and Chartwell is not the most appropriate venue for a full-on flying display programme as it sits in a largely wooded area and is very close to Gatwick TMA (Terminal Control Area).
“The venue is absolutely stunning but logistically is very difficult,” Andy tells me, “Spectators always take priority. Easier venues exist but we want to give the spectators the best experience possible – you don’t necessarily get that sitting in a big field! It’s worth all the difficulties to see the spectators enjoying the RAF in Churchill’s back garden. I don’t think it gets any better than that!
That effect is at the heart of everything Synergy Events is trying to deliver with this event and personally I think it’s fair to say that there really is nothing else quite like it in the UK's event calendar. If you are at all interested in the Royal Air Force, both its history and current operations, and want to see, hear and feel that story told like never before, you really need to get along to Chartwell House next weekend; it could be an unforgettable occasion.
2011-08-26 - RAF Pres Team
Thanks for the preview Gareth. We are looking forward to this event with some anticipation! Please encourage your friends and colleagues to come along to what promises to be a fantastic evening of music, aviation and entertainment.
Regards.
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