France - A total of 13 Roland M-48 Personal Mixers have been specified by renowned sound designer Thomas Strebel for use in the acclaimed production of The Fearless Vampire Killers at the Mogador Theatre in Paris. This new production of the musical comedy by Oscar winning director Roman Polanski is an adaptation of his 1967 movie of the same name. The musical has been produced in a number of European cities since it debuted in 1997, but this version marks the first time it has been staged in Paris, where the 81-year-old Polanski resides.

Supplied to the theatre by sound, lighting and video specialists DuShow, the Roland M-48 Personal Mixers are used by the orchestra in the pit and enable each musician to control exactly what they want to listen to during their performances. All musicians, plus the musical director, have their own M-48 with each individual monitor mix set

Germany - On 9 June at Stage|Set|Scenery 2015 in Berlin, an award presentation took place to honour the winners of the competition presented by the Theatre Architecture Commission (TAC) of the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) and the winner of the Weltenbauer Award presented by Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft (DTHG).

The Weltenbauer Award honours the most accomplished technical realisation of an artistic challenge in the context of a stage performance, show or event production. Yesterday evening, for the first time, the presentation took place at Stage|Set|Scenery. Katharina Thalbach gave the introductory speech.

Orpheus steigt herab, a production by Münchner Kammerspiele was the winner of the Weltenbauer Award which was received by Fabian Iberl, deputy manager and manager of Special Construction. The jury

UK - Panasonic has announced a long-term corporate partnership with Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the independent charity which manages six former Royal residences in the UK. The partnership brings Panasonic the opportunity to showcase its latest technologies, while enabling HRP to provide an improved visitor experience for its customers, the manufacturer says.

The first joint initiative saw 12 Panasonic high brightness projectors used as part of the 500th anniversary celebrations at Hampton Court Palace. A 22-minute projected artwork, which told the architectural and cultural history of the palace, played for three nights over the Easter weekend.

Panasonic laser projectors are being used in a new exhibition in the palace, bringing animation to Hampton Court's stories. A total of eight projectors have also been installed within the Tower of London jewel house, helping to inter

USA - Firehouse Productions once again relied on DPA Microphones for the recent 2015 Tony Awards, held at New York City's Radio City Music Hall and broadcast live on CBS. The audio team used a variety of DPA d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional and d:fine 4088 Directional Headset Microphones to capture the vocals of the production's performers, including co-hosts Kristen Chenoweth and Alan Cumming. A number of the 4061s were also used in the orchestra pit. In addition, singer Josh Groban's audio team selected DPA's d:dicate 4011ES Cardioid Microphones for his performance, which was accompanied by a piano.

For the last several years, Firehouse Productions has used DPA microphones for the sound quality and ability to keep up with the demanding, rigorous rehearsals and live performances, while effortlessly blending in with the various costumes. As part of the production process, each show

UK - Lighting and production designer Will Potts has chosen to use an array of Clay Paky fixtures for quadruple Grammy-award winning artist Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour UK tour.

For his stripped back yet stylish design described by The Standard as 'spectacular lighting', Potts specified six Clay Paky B-EYEs, 12 Sharpys and 22 Sharpy Wash 330s from PRG. The tour covered such venues as the 02 Academy Brixton and Manchester's 02 Apollo.

"We wanted the show design to be simple and classy because Sam's the focal point the whole time, so it's key here to reinforce that and not over-embellish," explains Potts. "The original design was built for enormous arenas on the previous North American run so we have scaled that back while still making use of the full space with layers. As some of Sam's tracks are delicately intimate and others are more full and bo

UK - VER UK has hosted a series of open days to present the latest in available 4K technology, spanning indoor and outdoor high resolution screens as well as the latest products in 4K projection and broadcast technology.

The first two-day showcase was hosted in the modern event facilities of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), for which VER traditionally provides support for RADA's in house productions and has a long-standing association.

A further event was hosted at VER UK's London facility, by the VER Dry Hire team. Scott Russell, Ellie Johnson and Lucy Taylor welcomed UK and European customers to demonstrations of the latest in Video Technology available for hire.

Director of European sales, Adrian Offord, commented, "VER continually strives to be at the forefront of new technology. We look forward to holding these showcase events frequently demonstrating the

Kuwait - Middle East lighting and sound company iLight of Dubai was called on to provide lighting, sound and stage design for this year's Hala Febrayer Festival and turned to Elation Professional lighting and LED video equipment to light performances by top Arabic artists.

Some 80,000 tourists converge on Kuwait in March to attend the annual Hala Febrayer Festival, a month-long event featuring cultural activities and entertainment that includes live television performances by some of the region's most popular singers. The most watched live TV show of the year in the Middle East, Hala Febrayer consists of five concerts over five nights with three artists performing each night. Produced by entertainment and production company Rotana Audio Visual, this year's show, broadcast on Rotana TV and held at the Kuwait Ice Skating Rink, was postponed until March due to the death of King Abd

Canada - Rational Acoustics has appointed GerrAudio as the exclusive distributor for all Rational Acoustics and Smaart branded products in Canada.

For over 30 years, GerrAudio has been a leading distributor of professional audio equipment for the live performance and broadcast industries, with a product portfolio including DigiCo, Outline, DPA, Audio Precision and Apex.

"GerrAudio has been involved in measuring and aligning sound systems in live performance spaces for four decades," says Bob Snelgrove, president of GerrAudio. "It has been our pleasure to have been involved with Smaart from its inception, and we are proud to have seen it evolve into the advanced, powerful and industry-leading instrument that it is today. Our job going forward is to ensure that new and seasoned Smaart owners alike receive the opportunity to be properly introduced to the host of so

Poland - Located adjacent to the Centennial Hall in Wroclaw, Afrykarium is an attraction that shows the different ecosystems associated with some of Africa's aquatic environments. Nineteen aquariums and pools, with a capacity of nearly 15m litres of water, are incorporated into the large complex which combines a three storey 9000sq.m building with 7500sq.m of external grounds.

Each zone is designed to represent an African region and combine the environment and wildlife of that area. Regions included are the beaches and coral reefs of the Red Sea, the river Nile, the land of the Great Rift Valley, the Mozambique Channel, the beaches of the Namibia's Skeleton Coast and the jungle of the Congo Basin.

Afrykarium is now home to a vast array of native African wildlife, living within their natural flora and fauna. In addition to serving as an attraction with great educational value,

Germany - The Meyer Sound Leopard and 900-LFC linear sound reinforcement system recently made its live concert debut at Germany's Moers Festival. The Leopard system significantly enhanced the audience experience as it transformed the venue from a large reverberant hall into an intimate club venue.

All performances took place in the 1,500-capacity Festivalhalle Moers, where the patent-pending Leopard and the 900-LFC delivered clear audio despite the challenges present in the reverberant space, according to Gerhard Veeck, technical director for the Moers Festival. "Leopard brought the audience closer to the stage, giving the hall the intimacy of a club. This transformation is exactly what we aim for when we bring this type of music to a big stage."

Leopard's quick deployment made a strong impression on Björn Wiesehöfer, systems engineer for Overath-based contour, pro

UAE - Wireless Solution Sweden has announced its newest distributor of W-DMX products, ProCom ME Audio & Lighting System Trading LLC, with distribution in Middle East. The partnership was finalised during the PALME Middle East show in May.

Wireless Solution joins a well-respected group of products represented by ProCom including Clay Paky, Avolites, Eurotruss, Antari, Philips Showline, and Philips Selecon.

ProCom CEO Raja Harfouche said, "W-DMX from Wireless Solution Sweden is number one in Wireless lighting control, we work with the best and to choice was simple to make."

Niclas Arvidsson, CEO of Wireless Solution added, "ProCom Middle East is the best distributor in the region with great focus on customer service and fast delivery."

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Show designer Gunter Hecker brought a flourish of industrial style to the lighting, video and stage environment that he created for the latest tour by German superstar Herbert Grönemeyer, prolific singer, composer, musician and actor and one of Germany's most successful ever recording artists.

Once again Gunter worked closely with Marc Lorenz as his lighting director and technology integration specialist, and together they brought a unique look and energy to the show with a centerpiece comprising six automated pods containing video screens and a total of 96 Robe Pointes.

These can move on multiple axes into a variety of positions, and completely transform the shape and feel of the performance space.

Gunter and Marc often use Robe products for their work, the last time being earlier in the year, for the 2014/15 tour by rappers Die Fantastischen Vier for which they

The Philippines - The importance of the Philippines to the global financial industries requires little introduction at this point - nor the corresponding need for superlative hotel and conferencing facilities. Located in the heart of Manila's economic district, the New World Makati Hotel is acutely aware of the need to maintain a high-level technical spec, in which context it recently instigated an upgrade project to guarantee fast and flexible audio distribution to multiple areas of the hotel.

Locally-based AV and lighting systems specialist Systech Lighting & Controls had undertaken a previous AV upgrade project at the hotel. For its latest engagement, the firm was invited to propose an audio processing and distribution infrastructure to cover the primary ballroom, several meeting spaces, a limited number of guest bedrooms, and various hallway areas. The need for reliability w

Germany - The opening night usually decides how successful a play will be. In the case of Stage|Set|Scenery 2015 the debut can be summarised as follows: satisfied exhibitors, enthusiastic trade visitors, high-ranking political figures and a substantial international appeal, say the organisers.

From Tuesday, 9 to Thursday, 11 June 2015 over 6,000 trade visitors came to find out about the latest trends in event technology from 270 exhibitors representing 24 countries at the Berlin convention. Attendees represented planning, architecture, film, event services, stage, lighting, sound, video and media technology, make-up, costume and stage-set design, acoustics, studio, exhibition and museum technology.

Besides Prof. Monika Grütters, State Minister for Culture and the Media, Brigitte Zypries, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and Tim Ren

UK - As a wave of consolidation passes through the video sector of the concert industry a new contender has emerged. Currently engaged on the Take That tour, Video Design founded by industry veteran Alex Leinster is already contracted for the Heaton Park 'Parklife' festival in Manchester and the series of concerts that fills the summer months in Hyde Park, London.

Leinster laid out the fundamentals of Video Design's operation. "We have already been investing in new camera gear, all Sony HD, and new PPU's built to our own specification with the latest Karrera K-Frame switchers from Grass Valley, Kaleido Miranda multi-viewers and d3 video servers. It's been nice to re-package to 2015 standards, Take That for example always demands systems that go in fast and easy; no small consideration when we are providing 220sq.m of 9mm LED.

"Speed is a given when working on Chris V

USA - The 67th annual Parsons Benefit fundraiser-fashion show took place at the River Pavilion at Manhattan's Jacob Javits Convention Centre. A multi-faceted lightshow energized the runway during this prestigious event, thanks in no small measure to a collection of Chauvet Professional Next NXT-1 panels provided by WorldStage.

Lighting designer Shawn Kaufman of CS Lighting arranged 44 of the moving LED panels on the sides of the runway to heighten the visual impact of the fashion show and benefit dinner, which raises money to support scholarships at the New School which has served as an incubator for many famous fashion designers at the start of their careers. The New York-based LD used the intensely bright moving fixtures to accent the models on stage, change looks to fit the varied moods of the show and create aerial effects that dazzled the audience, which included A-list fas

UK - Working with producers Vision Nine Arts & Entertainment, XL Video supplied a multi-channel camera system and video projection for the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular UK live concert tour.

The tour, which showcases the compositions of Murray Gold for the much-loved TV show includes the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and performers from the BBC National Chorus of Wales, conducted by Ben Foster.

Hosted by Peter Davidson, who played the fifth Doctor, the tour includes live appearances from an array of Doctor Who monsters including Daleks, Cybermen, and the Ood.

The show design aims to immerse the audience via the music, coupled with the big screen footage of Doctor Who, and live action appearances by a multitude of monsters in the arena. To help achieve this across a variety of large-scale venues, XL Video supplied a video projection system and accompanying cameras, which

UK - PFS Group Ltd (PFS), a Baldwin Boxall Gold Status customer, was chosen to replace the voice alarm system in the Odeon Birmingham Plaza.

Located in the heart of the city, the Birmingham Plaza is a comprehensive family leisure and entertainment centre. The site offers several options for entertainment for the whole family - making it a key destination for many. Among these is the UK's biggest cinema chain - Odeon. The Birmingham Plaza Odeon has an impressive twelve screens - including a "big screen, big sensation, isense 4K screen".

Odeon approached PFS regarding the replacement of the voice alarm system installed on the premises and PFS was delighted to win the project. A full site survey and an assessment of the necessary works was produced. PFS then placed their order with Baldwin Boxall for their VIGIL2 voice alarm system.

A phased installation was planned t

USA - Country super group Rascal Flatts is back on the road for their latest headlining tour with lighting provided by Bandit Lites. As one of the hottest-selling acts on tour in any genre, the trio recently kicked off their Riot Tour 2015 with special guests Scotty McCreery and Rae Lynn.

Drew Gnagey of Magneto Live Design and Raj Kapoor of Raj Kapoor Productions collaborated on the production design, where the core concept focused on everything wrapping around the band. By utilizing curved trusses, curved band risers and a curved video wall to encapsulate the band, they mimicked an engrossing look that could be communicated to audiences even in large arenas.

"Since the band was looking for a more intimate looking show, it really changed how we had to look at the design," Gnagey explained, who acted as lighting designer and Co-Production Designer. "Instead of be

Poland - ARAM Poland was in charge of the design and technical production of the largest gaming event in the world, the ninth World Final of the Intel Extreme Masters, and Clay Paky Mythos played a significant role in lighting this game show for the first time ever.

The event was held in Katowice for the second year in a row, but this time it was split between two venues: the Spodek arena and the newly built International Convention Centre. The show broke all audience and visitor records. The official figures will be released shortly, but it is said that more than a hundred thousand visitors attended and millions of others followed the games online.

ARAM was in charge of designing and putting on the four-day show, and dealt with its production, full logistics, supervision and implementation.

The company has several years' experience in successfully producing events "fro

Italy - Notti di Maggio (May nights) is a popular, continuously evolving, big event, conceived and produced by the Associazione Notti di Maggio Sagraioli and coordinated and organized by Andrea Widmann. It consists of three days of music, concerts and DJ sessions with a busy programme of live events, all illuminated by Clay Paky lights.

Several Sharpys were arranged along two battens in the centre and at the back of the stage and various Aleda B-Eye K10s were hung on four tubular supports as backdrop lighting with the precise aim of enhancing the beautiful effects created. All the lights were programmed by Mario Zanella and Bruno Maffei using a Chamsys MQ 200.

On the Friday night, Notti di Maggio turned into an important cultural showcase for local 'Trento music' and the stage was given over to several Italian tribute bands.

On the Saturday - the true heart of Notte di Maggi

Ireland - A major JBL Intellivox digitally controlled beam steering sound system has been installed in the restored St. Mel's Cathedral in Longford, Ireland by Sound Productions.

Originally built between 1840-1856, and situated in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, this flagship cathedral is considered one of the finest Roman Catholic churches in Ireland.

On Christmas Day 2009 it was completely destroyed by fire, leaving only the perimeter wall intact. A long rebuilding process, true to the original, began and the new altar was finally consecrated in March last year, with the reopening on Christmas Eve.

In charge of the project was the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Colm O'Reilly.

AWN Acoustic Consultants were engaged to acoustically model the proposed rebuild and make predictions and recommendations in respect of materials that might be used to reduce the previous

UK - ProQloud is a new web-based service designed to make website construction and business management easy for freelancers and studios in the audio, film and broadcast industries. Aimed at studio owners, sound engineers, record producers, session musicians, location sound recordists, editors and cameramen, ProQloud offers "an easy-to-use drag-and-drop website builder, allowing users to get a site up and running quickly with their own branding, leaving them more time to be creative".

The new business has been set up by a group of Welsh audio professionals, who have faced the problem of creating a convincing on-line presence for their studio. "Ten years ago we simply had to commission and build our own website," explains Donal Whelan, managing director of ProQloud. "These days, while there are countless companies offering easy website construction tools,

UK - Recently, the National Theatre organized a fundraising gala evening, Fast Forward, with the goal of raising money for the NT Future foundation, which been established to ensure the theatre's future by providing new facilities for audiences, artists and young people.

The venue was the largest of the National's three theatres, the Olivier Theatre, where the dinner took place on the stage leaving the remaining auditorium free for the surprises of the evening, which included performances from Damon Albarn, James Graham, Patrick Marber as well as the Southbank Sinfonia and the London Community Gospel Choir.

Alongside the team from National Theatre worked London-based lighting specialists, White Light, with the support from event production company, Blueprint, who supplied LED tubes from SGM.

The full kit provision from White Light incorporated new LED equipment, which had pr

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