CHALLENGE
Mitchells & Butlers came to us with an exciting challenge: to whisk their team of 2,000 members of their team away on a journey. Their annual Pride Award Show, known as the party of the year, is a celebration that honours their internal teams with an unforgettable experience. Each year, we are tasked with transforming a venue into a breathtaking new experience.
With no limits to our creativity, we set out to create immersive environments that could transport attendees from the sun-drenched Mediterranean shores of the Amalfi Coast, reminiscent of Mamma Mia’s charm, to the vibrant energy of the 1980s at Studio 54. Our mission was clear: to craft an experience so vivid and engaging that it felt like stepping into another realm entirely.
CREATIVE SOLUTION
Since 2016, our team has embraced the annual challenge of transforming the venue into extraordinary adventures. With each passing year, their ideas grow bolder, and their themes more ambitious.
The Pride Award Show unfolds over four days, demanding meticulous pre-production, planning, and seamless execution to accommodate a diverse array of attendees. Our scenic department truly shines in these events.
We blend bespoke physical elements with cutting-edge technology—ranging from projection mapping to immersive LED screens—to transport our audience into the atmospheres we create. Each space becomes a portal to another realm, transcending traditional décor to become a living, breathing entity that envelops guests in its magic.
2023 – Mamma Mia meets the Amalfi Coast
In 2023, we transported attendees to the sun-kissed shores of the Amalfi Coast, infused with the playful spirit of Mamma Mia. The transformation was truly enchanting, turning the main stage into a breathtaking scene straight from the Mediterranean.
Bespoke Mediterranean arches, meticulously handcrafted from wood, served as the centrepiece. Each arch was hand-painted by a skilled scenic artist, who transformed the wooden structures into what appeared to be solid stone, echoing the timeless beauty of coastal Italy. These physical elements were integrated with projection mapping, which painted a Mediterranean backdrop that set the scene.
The ambiance was enriched by the presence of Italian cypress and olive trees, their fragrant aroma transporting guests to a tranquil Mediterranean garden. As day turned to night, the Mamma Mia theme came alive with a canopy of twinkling stars enveloping the stage. Our carefully orchestrated mood lighting transitioned gradually, allowing attendees to savour the glow of an indoor sunset, capturing the essence of a starlit summer evening on the coast.
2024 – 80s at Studio 54
In 2024, we turned back the clock and brought Mitchells & Butlers to relive the electrifying energy of Studio 54. Over four days and nights, the Pride Awards became a dazzling celebration of retro glamour and disco fever.
The venue pulsed with life as bespoke content on LED screens paid tribute to each team, capturing the spirit of the 1980s. The real charm was in the tangible textures of our set design. By focusing on texture, we brought an authentic sense of reality to every element—because when you can touch it, it becomes real. The lighting played off these textures, creating depth and dimension that drew guests into the heart of the experience.
Suspended above, 16 mirror balls of varying sizes sparkled, casting reflections throughout the space. Everywhere you looked, Studio 54 came alive.
Centralised LED screens expanded the stage’s presence, blending with projection mapping to fully immerse attendees in a captivating visual experience. It was a celebration of sound, light, and movement.
Conclusion
These events are more than just celebrations; where every detail is designed to inspire and engage. Each transformation is a testament to our expertise in scenic production and digital content creation. Through our dedication, we continue to redefine what is possible, delivering unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression.
FEEDBACK
“On behalf of my Exec Team, I just wanted to send you and your team a belated thank-you for the great work that you all did once again for our PRIDE week. The event gets bigger and better each year, and you and your team play a big role in that. As I say every year, having been involved in many of these events over the years, I know that the logistics are always very complex, and that their ‘smooth running’ doesn’t just happen, but your team makes it look easy!
Thanks again, and kind regards!”
– CEO of M&B
