Objective
When ITV signed US popstar Katy Perry to perform an exclusive 90-minute show that would also be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX it knew it would require a central London location that would be able to deliver in many areas.
An awe-inspiring venue with capacity to hold a star-studded audience of 1,000 people and with state-of-the-art AV infrastructure to support both the live performance and broadcast onto TV channels, ITV and ITVX, were essentials.
TV production company Talkback Thames also had some creative ideas for the performance, including indoor pyrotechnics and rooftop fireworks, that required support of an experienced events team to ensure the performance went without a hitch.
To service a production of this scale, there was a crew of 200 who needed additional space for equipment.
Musicians and dancers, as well as the star herself, were also in need of dressing room space.
With a high number of celebrities attending alongside the main star, there were also additional challenges around access and security to be managed, as well as extensive catering requirements for Katy Perry – singer of hits such as Firework, Roar, and Feels – and for 200 crew members.
Execution
The Katy Perry event merged a live performance with TV broadcasting, therefore creating a dual-purpose set-up that demanded flexibility, quick turnarounds, and innovative problem-solving.
Central Hall Westminster’s extensive experience hosting broadcasting and TV events, including BBC One’s New Year’s Eve Concert and Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser, meant that the venue and its team were well placed to host Katy Perry’s Night of a Lifetime performance.
To prepare Central Hall Westminster’s Great Hall for Katy Perry’s show, the client had exclusive use of the building for two days prior to the performance.
The stage was custom-built for the event and adaptions were made to accommodate additional and specialist AV equipment supplied by the artist’s production team. The extra kit was used in conjunction with the Great Hall’s state-of-the-art PA system and audio solution, upgraded in early 2024.
To enable live broadcasting of the performance, the team worked closely with the production team to carefully position cameras within the Great Hall and to secure safe cabling routes from the hall to the broadcast truck outside. Support was also provided for power distribution and LAN connectivity.
With rooftop fireworks, indoor pyrotechnics and large-scale laser displays planned as part of the act, Central Hall Westminster’s expert team had to also take necessary steps before the night to ensure they could all happen, working tirelessly in the lead-up, seeking permission from the council, creating bespoke safety measures and meticulously planning to realise the production company’s creative vision.
It wasn’t just the Great Hall that was used, the venue’s 22 other spaces were put to good use, including three main dressing rooms for Katy Perry, her dancers, and musicians; catering space, and equipment storage for the 200 crew members.
To ensure everyone had easy access, the Central Hall Westminster team ensured its many entrances were used to full capacity, with the Tothill Street entrance – affording easy access to the third-floor foyer for a drinks reception – used for celebrities and VIPs; the entrance from Matthew Parker Street used for production, press, and other guests and Katy Perry and her crew using the loading bay.
Results
The short preparation timeline and dual-event nature—catering to a live audience and TV broadcast simultaneously—were significant challenges faced by the team, but using meticulous planning, extended working hours, and open communication across all teams involved, the performance was a huge success.
The Great Hall’s ability to transform into an immersive space, with its flexible rigging systems, and multiple access points, plus the attention to detail by the team, make Central Hall Westminster a premier choice for high-profile broadcast productions like Night of a Lifetime.
Sarah Franczak of Central Hall Westminster, said: “We were thrilled that Katy Perry’s performance (literally) went with a bang and look forward to continuing to be the choice venue for live broadcast events in 2025 and beyond.”
Josh Hoskins, Line Producer at TalkbackThames, said it was a big collective achievement: “Everyone, from ITV to Katy Perry herself, was really pleased with how the event ran on the night and the finished transmission. Central Hall Westminster provided a spectacular location and the team there helped deliver a very smooth event which we are all extremely grateful for.”
Header Image Credit: Matt Crossick/TalkbackThames.
