A Joy to Rig - Unusual provides the rigging infrastructure for spectacular Joy Awards 2025

17th March 2025

Done and Dusted enlisted the expertise and experience of the Unusual Rigging team for the impressive production of the JOY Awards 2025. Held at Boulevard City’s new arena The Venue in Riyadh, this year’s ceremony expanded dramatically from previous years, with the event transitioning to an arena five times larger than its previous home, showcasing the ambition and vision of its organisers.
Sam Carter, Senior Production Rigger at Unusual Rigging, detailed the impressive rigging operation: “We executed an ambitious three-week pre-rig before Christmas, returning for an intensive 3.5 weeks starting January 2nd. The highlight was installing an enormous 3D ceiling featuring 158 individually angled triangles, each with unique projections. This complex installation drew heavily on my experience in film rigging and set building, demanding precision and innovation.”
The production utilised a remarkable 520 hoists and a tenfold increase from previous budgets, reflecting the scale and sophistication of the event. Collaborating with Done & Dusted and other leading industry players like Tait, Stage One, WI Creations, PRG and Creative Technologies, Unusual Rigging delivered intricate automated features, including moving stage elements and giant automated LED screen.
Sam added, “We also designed and installed catwalks for roof access, essential for technical teams. The rigging design itself was a first for me, involving multiple layers of subgrids and careful planning to facilitate practical and safe operations.” 
Despite a relatively small crew of 12, the team successfully completed the complex project, assembling the entire production in six weeks and dismantling it efficiently in just three days.
Sam concluded: “As a team, Unusual continues its commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence, reinforcing our position as an essential partner for high-profile events worldwide. We are seeing a trend, specifically in Middle East, whereby events continue to get bigger and push the boundaries of design further and further each year. Fortunately, for a company like Unusual, that thrives on making the seemingly impossible happen, is a challenge we’re always happy to accept.”