As the vibrant and highly anticipated Eurovision Song Contest unfolds in Basel, Switzerland, an unsung team operates behind the scenes, ensuring that each performance goes off without a hitch. Richard van Rouwendaal, the stage manager, runs a well-oiled crew. They do it without a hitch by performing complex set changes in as little as thirty-five seconds.
The high stakes of the competition demand a level of detail and collaboration. Van Rouwendaal will head up a Dutch crew of 13 strong. Along with 30 local Swiss professionals, they run around day and night making sure the props are bolted down tight. These props range from disco balls to space hoppers, a magical bingo food blender, and a Swedish sauna. They provide color, mood, and aesthetic to the performances while being required to fully integrate into and complement each act.
Building the complex stage had three weeks lead-up with the construction starting in early April before rehearsals started. This short timeline makes for a high-paced working environment. With Van Rouwendaal and his team working around the clock to deliver, 20-hour work days became a common occurrence.
In the course of a performance, the stage crew is put to the task of completely reinventing the stage in an intimidating thirty-five-second flip. This incredibly short timeframe, most notably in the House, highlights the need for collaboration, creativity, and orchestration. Each crew member’s role is clearly defined, making for maximum effectiveness and efficiency in execution. Van Rouwendaal compares these set changes to playing Tetris, as they must efficiently utilize the limited space available while ensuring that everything is precisely aligned.
“In those two weeks, I have to figure out who’s right for each job. Someone’s good at running, someone’s good at lifting, someone’s good at organising the backstage area. It is a bit like being good at Tetris because you have to line everything up in a small space, in the perfect way.” – Richard van Rouwendaal
Damaris Reist heads up production as deputy for this year’s competition. She acknowledges the immense logistical effort involved in coordinating the various props and crew members. “It’s a big logistics effort, actually, to get all the props organised,” she stated.
The urgency does not end with prop placement. It means ensuring that when performers do arrive, they have their mics and earpieces properly adjusted before they get on stage. It’s this dangerous level of detail-oriented-ness that prevents the show from skipping a beat.
“There are people who know the regulations by heart, who have been playing through what could happen and what we would do in various different situations.” – Damaris Reist
The moving parts behind the scenes get really tricky when you throw in special passageways. Van Rouwendaal calls these “smuggling routes,” which allow them to move props around out of sight of the audience and cameras. This impressive and complex staging is what makes the design crew’s work seem invisible, even as they are absolutely essential to creating production.
“We’re not invisible, but we have to be invisible.” – Richard van Rouwendaal
The extensive efforts do not go unrecognized. In addition, Van Rouwendaal stresses that everyone on his crew contributes daily to providing the support that is critical to success. The ten cleaners are just as crucial to the picture, as they clean the stage with mops and vacuum cleaners in between acts.
“My cleaners are just as important as the stage crew. You need a clean stage for the dancers – but also, if there’s an overhead shot of somebody lying down, you don’t want to see shoeprints on the floor.” – Richard van Rouwendaal
In spite of such a demanding work schedule and extreme-pressure atmosphere, van Rouwendaal is constantly seeking moments to raise spirits among his coworkers. He shares how on the last celebration for King’s Day in Holland, he cooked more than 700 pancakes to feed to all while celebrating together.
“But backstage, I’ve got a spot with my crew. We’ve got stroopwafels there and, last week, it was King’s Day in Holland, so I baked pancakes for everyone.” – Richard van Rouwendaal
Thanks to the tremendous commitment of our stage crew, every performance is a highly-choreographed ballet executed to within a quarter of an inch. With the full and precise live synchronization that must happen during a live broadcast, there is no room for error.
“It’s choreographed to the nearest millimetre.” – Richard van Rouwendaal
Van Rouwendaal doesn’t have the luxury that many other production departments do. He is proud to be at the helm of that illustrious team of talented and passionate communications professionals.
“I don’t have hidden luxuries like Ola. I’m not at that level yet!” – Richard van Rouwendaal
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