Page 11 - Fujifilm Exposure_1 Michelle Pfeiffer_ok

by the show, judging by the frenzied reaction at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena.
And while Warwick is quick to recognise the importance of live audiences to the success of the show, they still present him and his cohorts - recent recipients of a Team Work award at the Royal Television Society prizegiving - a whole new set of challenges.
“We have 8,000 people per show and there are two shows a day,” says Warwick. “So 16,000 pass through the gates of the NIA per day. The whole show lasts up to four hours and of course we have to entertain those people while the lighting is being changed or the games are being put in place by the set boys.” Americanised it may be but we do seem to be rather good at it. It is perhaps a rare
example of the Brits refining someone else’s idea and making it a success. Not that Warwick’s record in this particular arena isn’t without the odd hiccup in the past.
“We came up with the names for the Gladiators, of course,” he laughs, “and Nightshade was one we wished we hadn’t. People were calling her Lampshade not to mention a load of other connotations we hadn’t even thought of. But a rose by any other name would smell as sweet ... Once you become used to the person, seen them perform, well ...” The same could be said for Warwick’s hugely successful show. ■ ANWAR BRETT
Gladiators is originated on Fuji Digital Betacam, Betacam SP and Fuji DAT Tapes.
Photos: Facing page: The Gladiators
Left: Getting to grips for Hang Tough Top: Rio (right) in action during Whiplash Above: Rebel, Rio and Falcon between games Right: A typical Duel in Gladiators
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