Alan Partridge laser light show brings Norwich Christmas light switch-on to brilliantly ridiculous climax
By Rich Leigh on Wednesday, November 27, 2013
To promote the release of (the fantastic) Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa on Blinkbox on 2nd December, Norwich’s finest export was brought to life as an enormous light sculpture, closing the city’s Christmas light switch-on by TV presenter Jake Humphrey – also from Norwich.
A giant illuminated Alan Partridge sang along to Cuddly Toy by Roachford – the song he mimes along to in the film’s opening credits. The impressive light show stunt, entirely in keeping with the ruddy, ruddy peculiar nature of Partridge, can be watched below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJojyHWADIc
The light show climaxed, obviously, with lasers being shot from Alan’s eyes, projecting ‘80ft giant dancing Alans’.
According to Taylor Herring, the agency behind the stunt, the light display took a team of designers a month to create, and used more than ten thousand lights. The structure also utilised 500 meters of light rope, pyrotechnic explosions, and ‘used enough electricity to run a trouser press for over 25 years.’
Coogan/Partridge was unable to attend, so screen ‘friend’ Michael (played by actor Simon Greenall) read out the following note:
“Dear people of Norwich, and to a lesser extent anyone here from Suffolk – welcome! I’m genuinely heart-broken not to be there with you, but it’s quiz night at the Rose & Crown and I’m the designated driver. You’re about to witness the biggest turning on of lights since the end of the 3-day week. The electricity used to power the illuminations is enough to run a trouser press for over 25 years. Instead, it’s powering an LED effigy of my face and body, lighting up the Christmas night just as the Archangel Gabriel did over two thousand years ago. I hope you have a wonderful festive season. A-HA!”
Read more: Taylor Herring blog
Involved agency: Taylor Herring