UK - SLX has announced it is providing lighting, control and power to the theatre adaption of Virginia Woolf's novel, Orlando.
London's Garrick Theatre welcomed the debut of this captivating play in November 2022, with its star-studded cast, visuals and directorship stealing the show according to critics' reviews.
"As specialists in supplying long-term kit to theatres all over the UK, our team is driven to overcome whatever challenges transpire to help ensure every performance is a success," says Ruari Cormack, business development manager at SLX. "It's been an honour to support Howard and his team design this rig, bringing the play's journey through four centuries of gender-defining history to life in the historic Garrick Theatre."
Working with lighting d

UK - VDC Trading has moved to a freshly renovated warehouse, five minutes’ walk from Tufnell Park station in North London.
Formerly at VDC House in Kings Cross - which has now made way for a modern life science facility - the firm has relocated to Unit 5, Bush Industrial Estate. The newly refurbished HQ includes custom-designed office space and purpose-built warehousing, providing a good platform for future growth.
In conjunction with this move, VDC has also acquired a large satellite warehouse in Hampshire to house non-urgent cable stock.
Niall Holden, CEO of VDC Trading comments: “After six long months of late night planning, pulling our hair out and drinking wine, we finally nailed the layout of our new home. For the past 26 years, we have been operating from a large ramshackle office block that didn’t really lend itself to our operations, so this time

UK - Contacta Systems, UK-based specialist leaders in assistive listening technology, has appointed Prosound Pty as their South African distributor to help manage and drive growing demand for their products in the region.
With a near 40-year history in the supply, design and integration of AV technology, Johannesburg-based Prosound will supply integrators, installers and venues across the country, and parts of central Africa, with Contacta’s hearing loops, RF, IR and window intercom systems.
Prosound is one of the longest-established audio specialists in the region. Founded in 1973 to support the live events scene, they were South Africa’s first dedicated audio specialists. They supplied AV equipment to the country’s biggest events including Nelson Mandela’s homecoming and the 2010 World Cup, and now focus solely on the installation of high-quality audio, AV, l
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Case Study: Hans Zimmer Live

When award winning film composer Hans Zimmer brought his smash-hit tour Hans Zimmer Live to North America fall 2024, the show's audio team sought out to bring infrafrequency bass to the show to add new depth to the show's audio experience. The team chose Danley Sound Labs.

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has announced the latest addition to its annual ABTT Awards, the ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability.
The award will be presented to someone who over the past 12 months has made a significant contribution to furthering environmental sustainability within the theatre industry.
The award will sit alongside the established ABTT Technician of the Year Award and Award for Emerging Excellence which recognise the achievements of individuals both starting out and well-established in their backstage careers.
The ABTT Awards are one of the Association’s flagship events which this year will take place on Wednesday 7 June Alexandra Palace and the ABTT would like to extend an invitation to those in the industry to attend the ceremony and Theatre Show social, which will take place following the first day of

UK - Wharfedale Pro, has announced the launch of a new live sound solution in the form of the Isoline-AX series. This active column PA system promises ‘a discrete yet punchy sound, with high adaptability in a practical, portable format’. The series consists of two new models with differing subwoofer sizes and array configurations: Isoline-AX510 and Isoline-AX912. Both models are an upgrade to Wharfedale Pro’s earlier Isoline products, with a variety of new and innovative features.
“We were enthusiastic to take the technology we’ve developed in our larger line arrays and installed solutions and deploy them in a format that is easy to use and relevant to a wider audience,” explains Simon Godfrey, sales director at Wharfedale Pro. "We are also proud to say that Isoline-AX has been designed and engineered in the UK.”
Along with a practical form factor, consis

USA/UK - At a private event held at the Hollywood Bowl, L-Acoustics announced the new L Series with its patented Progressive Ultra-Dense Line Source (PULS) technology. Having debuted at the BRIT Awards with pilot phase partner Britannia Row/Clair Global, on tour with Helene Fischer and pilot phase partner Solotech, and at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with support from RAT Sound, L Series will continue its pilot phase validation with PRG, Tokyo Sanko, Novelty and Winly, before it becomes available in production this fall.
“L Series is a breakthrough concept in concert sound that is made possible through the culmination of 30 years of intensive R&D in software modelling, loudspeaker technology, and electronics,” says Germain Simon, director of product management, loudspeakers at L-Acoustics.
“When we analysed hundreds of projects using line source

UK - Peerless-AV has announced the schedule of Tech Talks at this year’s AV Showcase at Lord’s, 16-17 May 2023. In these technical sessions, showcase vendors will present key innovations and complete solutions with forward-looking market insights, product competencies and real-life examples of successful installations. Those registering and attending the two-day event will be in with the chance of winning Ashes tickets at Lord’s this Summer.
The event is focused on leveraging and building valued partner relationships and delivering all-important training and networking opportunities to ensure a successful, productive two days for end user and reseller visitors.
“The demand for technical knowledge and information is on the rise, which is why we’ve worked closely with our exhibiting brands to bring a compelling and varied line-up of professional speakers and in
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OPUS X4 PROFILE – the most powerful LED moving head from Cameo to date

The OPUS® X4 PROFILE is the new flagship model from Cameo and is among the most powerful LED moving heads on the market. Equipped with a 1,400-watt LED white light engine, this spot profile moving head produces an enormous light output of 50,000 lm, providing powerful spot and gobo projections on even the largest stages and much more.
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UK - White Light has recently added new ETC fixtures and consoles to its rental inventory including 50 Halcyon Titanium moving lights with Ultra-Bright engines.
The Halcyon range – which consists of the Gold, Titanium and Platinum – is the powerful, latest addition to ETC’s family of automated fixtures. Engineered to fit into any design, these new framing luminaires offer increased output at a reduced cost and weight. Halcyon Titanium outputs at 40,000 lumens and is packed full of features, a big zoom range and a best-in-class colour system. It was selected as a good all-round fixture for WL’s hire stock, meeting a broad range of their client’s requirements for a modern LED moving light.
WL has also invested in ETC’s ColorSource Spot V and Source Four LED Series 3 fixtures as well as Eos Apex 10 consoles and Eos Apex 24K Processors. The Apex consoles are ET

UK - Marsh McLennan, insurance broker and risk adviser, made the decision last year to move their office out of Norwich city centre to create a more flexible working space to meet the needs of evolving hybrid working patterns.
Since the pandemic began, workplaces are adapting to meet these new requirements, and in this case Marsh McLennan approached Insight Visual Systems to lead the project. The space was completely refurbished with furniture, and audio-visual technology equipment, sourced from Audiologic.
Matthew McGill from Insight says: “We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver a bespoke service that reflects our client’s identity, whilst also resonating with their values. For this project we needed to provide a seamless AV experience that met Marsh McLennan’s global AV standards to ensure consistency across their regional offices. As our audio supplier,

Germany - Known for her spectacularly acrobatic shows, Helene Fischer kicked off her 71-date Live 2023 tour on 11 April at Barclays Arena Hamburg for a 15-city run through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and the Netherlands. Although Solotech has long provided technological solutions globally, this is among the first times Solotech’s Live Productions Division, Europe, provides a complete 360-degree solution in Germany.
Produced by Live Nation and created by Cirque du Soleil, the tour comprises multi-night mini-residencies, with audio, lighting and video production needs provided including L-Acoustics’ new compact and powerful L Series line source array. Additionally, Solotech provided Avid S6L and Yamaha consoles, wireless in-ear/microphone packages, Roe Visual Vanish 8T LED panels, robotic cameras, a full lighting rig, and other related infrastructure.
Significa

Singapore - Located 11 floors above the Vista Exchange district, atop the celestial inspired Star Performing Arts Centre, The Star Loft offers breathtaking views from its interior space and enchanting rooftop terrace. This panorama, however, was not the only impressive site that visitors to Chauvet’s Singapore Open House got to enjoy in early April. The two-day event treated guests to an array of innovative, new products from Chauvet Professional and its sister brands, including Kino Flo and ChamSys.
Featured in this lineup was the Color STRIKE M motorised strobe, along with the Maverick Storm 4 Profile and Storm 2 Profile, COLORado PXL Bar 16 and PXL Bar 8, the STRIKE Array 2, STRIKE Array 4, the Rogue Outcast 3 Spot, and more.
Kino Flo was represented with products such as the Free Style Air, while ChamSys showcased the MagicQ Stadium Connect, MagicQ MQ70 and QQ2

Europe - French loudspeaker manufacturer, Focal, continues its push into the custom installation (CI) and commercial sectors by partnering with specialist AV distributor, CUK Group, to supply and support its full range of integration products in the UK.
Focal's integration offering has expanded significantly in recent years, with the launch of the Littora outdoor and marine range, and the growth of its in-wall loudspeaker line, which now mirrors the performance levels of its hi-fi offering, through to the 1000 Series Utopia models, which feature signature Focal technologies such as 'W' composite cones and beryllium tweeters.
Although the ink is still drying on the partnership agreement, there is already a wealth of Focal knowledge within CUK Group as CI channel manager, Phil Roe, explains: “In my previous life as an integrator, I have had the pleasure of demonstratin

UK - By 2027, more than 100m AA batteries will have been saved from landfills, according to Shure. The number is based on data calculations from customers worldwide in music production, theatre, touring, education, business, government, houses of worship, and more.
With previous technology, disposable batteries were used to power microphones and transmitter packs. And audio engineers would frequently replace batteries – even when those batteries still had power – to ensure an uninterrupted performance with fresh batteries.
However, new innovation from Shure has converted those products to rechargeable options, creating significantly less waste. In fact, for David’s Byrne’s American Utopia Broadway show, the monitor engineer estimated they saved about 21,000 AA batteries from being disposed of in landfills because they used Shure’s rechargeable system

Final Curtain - Andrew Lloyd Webber has warned that the days of original shows opening on Broadway "ended long ago", with the composer calling on the industry to work together to secure a future for new work in New York’s theatre district. The composer, writing in the New York Times as his musical The Phantom of the Opera played its final performance on Broadway after 35 years, warned that the costs of running musicals in New York were so high that it was forcing producers to find shows with "small casts and minimal sets" and leading to an increase in jukebox musicals.
Writing in the paper, he said: "The era of the big original Broadway musical ended long ago. Massive hits such as Hamilton and Phantom did not originate on Broadway, unlike West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof.
"Who is taking a risk, as Hal [Prince] did so w

UK - Loudspeaker manufacturer Funktion-One has welcomed Andrew Low as its new director of business development. Low joins the company from Solotech UK, having previously worked with Shure, HHB Communications and Audio Pro International.
With over 15 years in the pro audio industry behind him, Low brings experience and expertise in both business development and marketing. He will initially work alongside Bill Woods, who is set to retire in June after 11 years with the company.
Commenting on the appointment, Funktion-One’s Ann Andrews said: “We’re delighted that Andrew is joining the Funktion-One team as director of business development. We’ve known him since his Audio Media International days and have always kept in touch. He gets us - our ethos and approach – and really appreciates the impact great sound can have. In addition to his professional ski

Europe - Sony has announced the MDR-MV1 Reference Monitor Headphones, designed for professional sound engineers and music creators. The headphones combine sound quality with long-lasting wear and reliability. Their open back design enables accurate reproduction of a wide sound field, making them a suitable option for mixing and mastering immersive spatial sound, such as 360 Reality Audio, as well as stereo sound with hi-resolution capability, says Sony.
“With the rise in spatial sound and high-quality streaming music services, we are seeing a demand for headphones that can adaptably address and enrich all of these immersive needs,” said James Leach, category head for connected content acquisition at Sony Europe. “Sony’s deep heritage in audio is on display with the introduction of the MDR-MV1, a flexible and stylish new option for home or studio use. The headphones p

Germany - Robe will be showcasing six new products – iForte FS, iEsprite, iPainte, iTetra2, iBeam350 and Footsie – at Prolight+Sound 2023, as well as highlighting several other innovations including RoboSpot with full networking capabilities.
Robe’s iSeries range of products will take centre stage, taking the concept of IP-rated lighting fixtures to a whole new level, and a spectacular live performance show and lighting extravaganza will again be integral to the stand and run five times a day.
The third in Robe’s highly topical All Environments trilogy, this is designed to illustrate the waterproofness and durability of iSeries products with an eye-catching, entertaining, and relevant narrative.
Robe’s On the Road show truck / mobile showroom will be parked up on a paved area in front of Hall 12 for people to check out ahead of its summer 2023 f

USA - At the 21st Parnelli Awards in Anaheim, Bandit Lites was once again named Lighting Company of the Year and Michael T. Strickland accepted the honour.
“Bandit is again humbled to be so honoured by the industry we love so much,” stated Bandit founder and chair Michael T. Strickland. “To have our peers bestow this honour upon us is amazing. Everyone at Bandit works tirelessly each day to allow our clients to ‘experience excellence’, and that is what drives us.
“The number of great firms in this industry makes the win even more special,” he continued. “Bandit will always go to extra lengths to assure the highest quality of service and people in the industry. And speaking of people, I wish to thank the entire Bandit family for making this happen. Without them, there is no Bandit.”
This is the eighth Parnelli Award for Bandit Lites, who has bee

USA - There are things you will always see at a Parker McCollom show, like the rising young country star getting down close and personal to interact with fans. From the moment he walks out on stage, the ACM’s New Male Country Artist of the year, puts things in high gear with his melodic voice, rolling out a welcome mat for fans, inviting them to get up to dance and sing-along.
Such a warm, embracing mood lends itself to being supported by an inviting tungsten-like glow of light, believes McCollom’s lighting director, Alex Sanchez. And that’s precisely what the Texas-born star is getting on tour with a Chris Lisle lighting design that often immerses the star and his band in an evocative amber glow created with Chauvet Professional fixtures.
“I personally love using ambers,” said Sanchez. “They warm up the stage beautifully and looks great in photos. This yea

South Africa - Cape Town-based Oakhill Church, formerly known as Durbanville Family Church, has invested in a Waves eMotion LV1 and DiGiGrid portable desk from DWR Distribution. The church was established 20 years ago by Louise and Lizette Du Piesanie and has become a place people call home. The volunteer-driven worship ministry is part of the glue that creates community, and Oakhill Music released its first single in 2022.
Chris Truter is a software engineer and volunteer at Oakhill Church, and as part of the audio industry from a young age, he has always kept his eye on DiGiCo which is how he discovered Waves in the first place. For some years, Chris had been using Waves in his studio, but wanting to keep up with technology, he pitched the idea of Waves eMotion and received a resounding "yes" from everyone on the team.
The church technical team, mostly volunteers, ar

UK - A celebration of Mike Oldfield’s landmark debut album Tubular Bells, the Tubular Bells 50th-anniversary tour has recently finished up its UK concert circuit.
Released in 1973, Tubular Bells gained critical acclaim, going on to become the highest-selling instrumental album of all time following its use as the instantly recognisable soundtrack to The Exorcist. The concert tour, conducted and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator, Robin Smith, featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who performed the entire album in sold-out venues across the UK in the Spring of 2023.
A full EM Acoustics system, consisting of HALO and EMS series loudspeakers accompanied the tour and was deployed in a total of 32 venues over the course of two months.
AV installation and rental company Show Works became involved in the project during the initia

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