in Sydney and Wellington. Tey have been “wonderful”, he said; small teams, much like that which produces the Tattoo (which numbers 23, rising rapidly before each season, staged on the castle’s esplanade, to around 1,600, encompassing a huge variety of military and civilian personnel). Te Tattoo is a heritage event, said
Allfrey, “emblematic of the Scottish brand. Primarily about our armed forces, but also our allies and friends – and I say that in the widest possible sense. It has a military history, but if you believe that the military repre- sents, and is representative of, civil society it must showcase that as well.”
HE AIMS TO balance the military aspect with national culture, both Scotland’s and that of the guest par- ticipants. All the while, knowing that as chief executive of the Edinburgh Tattoo, he is measured by his board against a 97.4% audience satisfac- tion rate (that is, those scoring 9 or more out of 10. Not much room for manoeuvre there). Personally, the Tattoo strikes All- frey in unexpected ways; a particular
trumpet sound on the night, a spec- tator, her makeup in streams from the tears of emotion shed through- out, or sitting, whisky in hand, on holiday with family (“who’ve had enough Tattoo to last them a life- time”), collectively mesmerised by an extended edit on BBC Alba. Te core team will head out for the
shows to Australia and New Zealand: “Are you going to be in a jolly expen- sive seat? No you are not, you’re all in steerage! But we will have a cracking couple of weeks there.” A staff train- ing and development programme will run at the same time: “So they can see the result of their work; my God, have I contributed to this? “Tey will see what’s possible and,
“WE HAVE TO STRETCH OURSELVES, WE HAVE TO GROW”
David Allfrey, chief executive and producer of the Edinburgh Tattoo
conversely, what’s not possible - and how you recalibrate in the case of the latter. We’ll see stuff that we’ve never encountered before and I find that an incredibly exciting prospect.” Te trip will serve as a precursor to the Tattoo’s long-term international ambition; an overseas show every two years, beginning with the Gulf in 2018 and China in 2020. “We have to stretch ourselves,” said Allfrey, “we have to grow.”
GLASGOW | 20-21 JANUARY, 2016
The essential event for the live entertainment technology industry for Scotland & North England
See the latest technology and product demonstrations from lighting, audio, AV, staging and rigging sectors, learn from the experts at the free to attend seminar programme and network with the industry
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www.plasafocus.com/glasgow
/PLASAFocus @PLASAShow LEEDS | 10-11 MAY, 2016
EVENTSBASE | WINTER 2015 | 41
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