The stage engineering specification for the Phase 1 work called for a fully automated flying system that could handle multiple shows and cues together with operational controls that would be intuitive, straightforward to use for a variety of personnel but designed with budgetary constraints in mind.
Centre Stage's success in winning this contract was based on its new Artisan power flying system, launched at PLASA last year, and soon to be installed in the new Corby Cube later this year with 21 zero fleet angle hoists with 350kg SWL and a maximum speed of 1.2m/sec.
The system installed at the Crucible included two special features, one of which was a non-directional wireless pendant controller that provided both hoist direction and speed control. The other feature was the installation of three point hoists that have the ability to be converted from four lines down to one line via a custom designed travelling clew system and fully adjustable diverter pulleys.
The Crucible stage crew, finding the system easy to use and set up, are said to be "very happy with the flying system" that permits performance flying cues to be repeated at the press of a button, precisely as they have been rehearsed.
The Artisan will be demonstrated at this year's ABTT show on 10 and 11 June, together with Centre Stage's new manual 350kg hoist.
(Jim Evans)
