Shooting an awards ceremony - what is your go-to setup and why?

Hi!

I’m a long time interiors photographer who has been asked to shoot an event, favour/mates rates kind of thing. Will involve a few hours of mingling, speeches and awards presentation.

My questions:

One body will have a 70-200mm 2.8. The other with hot shoe flash.. what would you suggest? I have a 50mm 1.2, or should I look I get a 24-70mm 2.8 to make life a little easier?

What aperture is best for this sort of event flash shoot? Is a larger or smaller aperture better?

Hotshoe flash setup? Diffuser? Point directly at subjects or up?

What other gear would you recommend?

Any insights from experience welcome!