AVW has created similar designs before, including a radio-controlled birthday cake and washing machine for a Ray Cooney farce at the Whitehall Theatre some years ago, plus the boat in Phantom of the Opera. AVW Controls has also taken over the maintenance of scenery control for Phantom at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. Having worked on the show in Holland, Switzerland and London, managing director Anton Woodward and AVW project manager John McBryde, who previously worked as chief electrician at Her Majesty's Theatre, ensured the smooth-running of what has become the most successful musical ever produced. Grossing more than $3 billion worldwide and still rising, Phantom features some strikingly melodramatic effects, including the famous falling of the chandelier, and, having premiered in 1986, the show continues to play to packed houses in London's West End.
And from Monte Carlo to Rochdale. At the beginning of November, on behalf of PMC Stage Services, AVW installed a control system for three motorized lighting bars in the Gracie Fields Theatre, Rochdale. Officially opened by Dame Gracie Fields in 1978, the 688-seat purpose-built venue has since become the home of Rochdale Pantomime.
