ERT today announced that the British company Stage One has been appointed to build the set for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. Specialising in ultra-modern, mechanical sets, the firm is to tackle the challenge of creating a stunning backdrop for the first contest to be held in Greece.
Every year, the set generates as much diverse opinion as the songs themselves, so the task is no light undertaking. Designers have to balance budget with style, and attempt to cater for the tastes of millions of viewers at the same time. Fortunately, Stage One are extremely experienced in the international field, being the company behind the breathtaking sets for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games, also held in Athens. ERT bosses were suitably impressed, and the company finds itself once more at the heart of an international event.
Schedule set for March
Stage One designers will work on the initial plans until mid-March, when the Heads of Delegations will meet, and the set design will be presented. Officials at Greek broadcaster ERT have already announced that the concept will be rich with traditional Greek elements, paying homage to the country's history and culture.
High profile clients
The company has provided the backdrop for several high-profile conferences and functions, counting British Airways, Microsoft and Orange amongst its big business clientele. Sets used in the Tomb Raider films and Thunderbirds also feature in the firm's portfolio. Full details of past work can be found on the website of Stage One, at this link.
With the initial planning stage already in progress, Stage One's countdown to the Eurovision Song Contest has begun.
