Volunteers: the Technical Team

Also known as the "all-blacks" because of the black clothing they wear while working at performances. They have the most physically demanding job, often building or dismantling stages or sets late at night after everyone has gone home or to the Festival Club. The core of this team has long experience of stage lighting, rigging, stage construction, etc. So the artists and public can have confidence in their comfort and safety. The effectiveness of each show in terms of its lighting and general stage dressing also depends heavily on the "all-blacks".

Indeed, they're already hard at work. One of the main venues for SMF events is the Pickaquoy leisure centre, which is constantly in use for sports and leisure events. It's impossible to leave the SMF staging in place because it would block other events. Last night the stage crew had to strike all the staging to accommodate a Junior Inter-county sports event; they will then have to put it up again after tomorrow's The Lighthouse performance in advance of Saturday's afternoon rehearsal and evening performance! So you can imagine how hard these guys have to work...

Weather a lot better today by the way - there's even a bit of sunshine right now.