South Africa - The Hilton Arts Festival 2016 was once again a resounding success, Sue Clarence's diverse programme had festival goers spoilt for choice. The pick of South African Theatre was represented across all genres from John Kani directing his son in Sizwe Bansi is Dead to the one man masterpiece Dead Yellow Sands featuring the talented Graham Weir.

For those fortunate to see it the South Korean production Dallae's Story was the pick of the festival, a delicate and tender story told through the medium of mime and puppetry. Grahamstown Ovation award winners Graveyard and crowd favourite The Snow Goose were also well received.

Black Coffee, the technical suppliers for the festival once again outdid themselves. Brandon Bunyan (Mr. Black Coffee), for the second year running exposed a selection of COPA (Centre Of Performing Arts) students to th

Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan's failure to acknowledge his Nobel Prize in literature is "impolite and arrogant", according to a member of the body that awards it. The 75-year-old singer was named the shock winner of the prize last week. But all efforts by the Swedish Academy to contact him have failed, and he has not acknowledged the win in public.

Academy member Per Wastberg told Swedish television, "He is who he is," adding that there was little surprise Dylan had ignored the news. We were aware that he can be difficult and that he does not like appearances when he stands alone on the stage," he told Sweden's Dagens Nyheter newspaper in a separate interview. A reference to the prize was removed from Dylan's website last week. It is still not known if he will travel to Stockholm to receive the prize on 10 December. If he does not, a ceremony marking his career will g

Canada - Gilray Densham, owner and CEO of CAST Group, has won an Ernest C. Manning Innovation Award, a prestigious innovation award in Canada.

Densham has been awarded the David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction, the second highest achievement of the Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards, and a sum of $25,000 in recognition for BlackTrax real-time motion tracking system that offers production professionals with six degrees of freedom, including 3D and rotation.

To date, BlackTrax has been used in many of the world's most dynamic and exciting projects ranging from Cirque du Soleil productions, Marvel Universe LIVE! and Disney on Ice. It is also currently part of the Harry Potter production in London's West End.

Densham established CAST Group 22 years ago and the current portfolio includes BlackTrax realtime motion tracking system, wysiwyg lighting design and previsualisati

Europe - Belgian entertainment engineering specialist WIcreations was tasked with creating a neat and novel piece of technical wizardry for Coen Janssen, keyboardist with acclaimed Dutch symphonic rock band Epica who wanted to be able to move his keyboards up, down, along and around the stage throughout their energetic live performances.

WI's project manager Koen Peeters was initially approached by Epica's lighting designer Erwin van Lokeren - familiar with WI's work on various projects - and asked to propose a robust, reliable and tourable solution to enable Coen to whizz around the stage.

With only three weeks from receiving the order to delivering the finished completely bespoke product to the band in time for the start of a new world tour campaign for their seventh studio album, The Holographic Principal, WI designed and fabricated two different systems to suit differe

UAE - Support company Showforce has further cemented its reputation as global leader in the provision of experienced personnel to the entertainment industry by securing a three-year contract with Dubai Opera. The contract covers the provision of all the new venue's temporary event staff and crewing requirements including: stage crew, crew managers, forklift operators, senior console operators, lighting technicians, wardrobe assistants and make-up artists and assistants.

Showforce was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process, where it demonstrated its ability to deliver a global solution that encompasses an unrivalled network of specialised staff. Showforce's ethos complements Dubai Opera's multi-format event space - versatile and flexible. As the first venue of its kind in the Middle East, it can be transformed into a theatre, concert hall or flat floor even

UK - Edinburgh-based creative communications, digital, film and event production agency 20/20 Productions has made the shortlist at two top industry awards - The Drum UK Events Awards and the Institute of Internal Communication Scotland (IoIC) ICon Awards.

Recognising excellence in all aspects of internal communications, the prestigious IoIC Icon Awards shortlist includes nominations for three 20/20 Productions employees in the Best Visual Creator, Best Designer and Rising Talent Award: Best Young Communicator categories.

Editor Chuck Cumming has made the Best Visual Creator shortlist for his filming and video work with clients such as Standard Life Investments, Heineken, Tesco Bank and Akzo Nobel.

The Best Designer category includes senior designer Graham Gilhooley following outstanding work with Heineken, Standard Life and Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Associatio

UK - The annual DiGiCo Rental Company of the Year Quiz saw the pro audio world come together to do battle to claim the title of brainiest audio rental company in the UK.

Amongst the action James 'Al Murray' Gordon and Dave 'white wine for the ladies' Webster guided the teams through the evening with a series of questions that taxed the knowledge of the participants and a raffle, with prizes donated by the teams, that achieved a record breaking result.

Each year, DiGiCo looks to support the industry with the funds raised during the night. This year, the newly re-branded Backup, the Technical Entertainment charity was selected as the recipient. Backup (previously- Behind the Scenes UK) is a UK charity specifically created to give support to anyone working in the Live Events industry who may need it.

DiGiCo has been a long-time advocate of Behind the Scenes UK and when th

Bat Out of Hell - The Jim Steinman musical Bat Out of Hell will receive its world premiere in the UK next summer at the London Coliseum. Featuring a book by Steinman and Stuart Beattie, with music and lyrics by Steinman, the musical includes songs such as I Would Do Anything for Love and Bat Out of Hell.

Old Gold - Elvis Presley has overtaken Madonna to claim the most number one albums by a solo artist. The Wonder Of You features Elvis' voice above an orchestral score performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It sold 63,500 copies after being released last week. Elvis' number one albums also span the longest period of time by the same artist. There are 60 years between his first - Elvis Presley Rock N' Roll in 1956 - and this latest release. It comes almost 40 years since he died in August 1977.

Speechless - Bob Dylan s

Belgium - Entertainment engineering specialist WIcreations celebrated its 10th birthday in style over the weekend with a large party for its many fans, friends, clients and acquaintances in home town Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium.

The company was founded by Hans Willems in 2006 to 'tackle all those challenging, crazy and innovative projects that occur in the industry - with style, flair and imagination'.

Back in 2006 Willems had a big dream, which was to work with like-minded people to realise ambitious projects that pushed the technical envelope and required custom solutions.

Now with 14 full time staff, all with multi-disciplinary knowledge, a team of top project managers, an extensive R&D department, an international portfolio of clients and numerous projects, large and small, standard and esoteric on the CV - there's every reason to celebrate the first decade of WIcre

Brexit Fears - More than three quarters of the arts and culture sector believe UK productions will be damaged if freedom of movement within Europe is reduced. The finding comes from a new Arts Council England report, which claims increased administration costs from any further restrictions on movement are "likely to damage" business models across the sector.

The survey asked 1,013 organisations how they thought leaving the European Union would affect the arts in the UK. It reveals that, of 267 applicable responses, 75.3% said this would affect their UK productions by having a negative impact on their ability to bring artists and organisations into the UK. A large number of those surveyed were worried that barriers on bringing artists into the UK would result in a dip in artistic quality. Threats highlighted by arts organisations included "less sharing of skills, ideas and prac

UK - When this year's Stand Up to Cancer fundraising event was held at Central Hall Westminster on 1st October, a team of Showforce's experienced crew was on-hand to assist with the install and de-rig. Broadcast live on Channel 4, the show included a mix of comedy, music and celebrity appearances. Presenters Davina McCall, Alan Carr and Adam Hills hosted a seven-hour long telethon that raised an impressive £15,700, 222 for Cancer Research.

Working directly for TV production company, Princess Productions Ltd, the Showforce team was onsite from 11th - 22nd October. Crew numbers fluctuated between 14 and 56 per day in the run up to the event and de-rig, with 222 crew shifts amassed in total. The crew were tasked with unloading and setting up all equipment onsite, this included: lighting, rigging, set building, video, sound and carrying out show calls.

Split into two mai

South Korea / USA - Samsung Electronics and Harman International Industries Inc have entered into a definitive agreement under which Samsung will acquire Harman for $112.00 per share in cash, or total equity value of approximately $8.0 billion (£6.4bn). Samsung says the transaction will immediately give them "a significant presence in the large and rapidly growing market for connected technologies, particularly automotive electronics, which has been a strategic priority for Samsung, and is expected to grow to more than $100 billion by 2025". Harman is the market leader in connected car solutions, with more than 30 million vehicles currently equipped with its connected car and audio systems, including embedded infotainment, telematics, connected safety and security.

Oh-Hyun Kwon, vice-chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics comments: "Harman perfectly complements Samsung

India - With ever increasing demands for events in India, the PRG Alliance has announced a new partner in the region. The new addition to the membership of the PRG Alliance is passionate about great results and meticulous in execution.

DynaMix Media is a company recognized in India for their remarkable contribution to events and entertainment, having introduced the 270 degrees projection format to corporate presentations, and the first 300' wide projection to the local market.

The company has a growing number of immersive projection and projection mapping jobs under their belt. DynaMix Media was founded in 2005 and is led by Mr. Suresh Madan. The company brings to PRG Alliance its vast understanding of video playback and networking systems, and its one-stop rental shop and services across India - offering complete services in video, audio, lighting, trussing, project manag

Off The Campaign Trail - While the American Music Awards is designed to celebrate the best in US music, many artists instead took the opportunity to comment on the election of Donald Trump. Green Day were perhaps the most vocal group on the night. During a pyrotechnic-filled performance, they turned their track Bang Bang into an anti-Trump song. President-elect Trump has previously declared himself a fan of the punk rock group's work, having seen their musical American Idiot and describing it as "excellent".

Sting took home a lifetime achievement award and his acceptance speech seemed to make reference to current affairs. Rock music is "perhaps America's greatest and most influential export," he said, before saying the genre has been "always open to all colours in the spirit of welcome and inclusion". He added, "A mixing of culture, of rhythm and passion is what

UAE - The IBS (International Building Services) Group celebrates 20 years at the top of the entertainment production industry in Dubai, having gained a solid reputation for building ambitious bespoke sets, providing detailed and elaborate décor as well as specialist draping and soft goods.

The company is headed by Alan Scoley and embraces all types of events from high profile corporate activations to live performances, cultural shows to conferences and exhibitions to lavish weddings.

There are three directors in addition to CEO Alan - Scott Davies, Nigel Smith and Terry Murtha. Alan is the only one involved in the daily operation, while Terry is busy heading up UK based drapes, soft goods, video and special FX S+H Technical Services together with other ventures.

Twenty years ago, they had a collective hunch that Dubai had all the ingredients to become a major pl

UK - A.C. Special Projects Ltd. (ACSP) has supplied and installed a bespoke entertainment technology system to Reach Academy Feltham - a pioneering, all-through free school for pupils aged four to 18 in Hounslow, west London.

The school approached ACSP with a brief for a fully flexible lighting, video and sound system for its main hall - which is used for a wide array of events, including plays, dance shows, presentations, social functions and workshops. The system had to be user-friendly and intuitive, so that teaching staff and pupils could work it with ease.

In practice, ACSP managed the entire project. As well as devising a bespoke technical solution, the company supplied and installed it - subsequently providing training for school staff and ongoing technical support.

ACSP Director, Lance Bromhead felt that the high-performance ProLights lighting range would offer

USA - Behind the Scenes has announced the creation of a new granting programme, the BTS Counselling Fund, which is designed to provide early access to mental health and addiction counselling for entertainment technology professionals by assisting with the associated financial burdens.

Behind the Scenes was approached earlier this year by Karen Sherman with the idea of creating the fund, "I'm a choreographer whose day job is as a stage technician; I've worked both sides of the stage for over 20 years. Stage technicians tend to view themselves as invincible, working as they do in a physically demanding, dangerous industry that shuts them away in a darkened theatre for days, nights and weekends, and through it all asks them to remain unseen and unheard. While depression, anxiety, and substance abuse occur across every profession, many aspects of the stage production industry rein

UK - Theatres Trust has announced an Urgent Repairs Scheme, a new fund set up in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation. Theatres in need of immediate repair and maintenance, and which could otherwise face closure, will be able to apply for grants of up to £15,000.

The scheme is open to all theatres operating a year-round programme of live performance. Theatres that are not statutory listed will need to demonstrate the architectural significance of their building. Two funding rounds will take place in 2017, closing on 15 March and on 16 September.

Interim director at Theatres Trust, Rebecca Morland says, "Over the last few years we have become increasingly aware of the challenges facing theatres in terms of maintenance and repair. When budgets are tight, theatres often find it difficult to prioritise adequate spending on repairs and this leaves them vulnerable to un

Trumped - Sir Elton John will not perform at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, a spokeswoman for the singer has said. Anthony Scaramucci, a member of Trump's transition team, had told BBC HARDtalk that Sir Elton would perform in Washington DC in January. "Elton John is going to be doing our concert on the mall for the inauguration," Mr Scaramucci said. But this was "categorically denied" by Sir Elton's representative in London. "There is no truth in this at all," she told BBC News.

During the election campaign, Sir Elton had expressed support for Mr Trump's opponent, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Performing at a fundraising event for Mrs Clinton in Los Angeles in October, he was reported to have told the crowd, "We need a humanitarian in the White House, not a barbarian."

Mr Trump had used Sir Elton's songs Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer -

UK - EnTEEtainment's Dick Tee received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Festivals at the UK Festival Awards, London, 28 November 2016.

Over 600 festival professionals headed to The Roundhouse to celebrate the hard work, vision and creativity of the UK festival industry in an award ceremony hosted by DJ and music journalist, Mary Anne Hobbs. Dick Tee was honoured with

The Outstanding Contribution Award which was presented to him by Greenpeace's Bob Wilson, Dick's first client, who said, "This award recognises Dick's consistent high levels of production management across a career spanning three and a half decades in the live events industry. Anyone who has worked with him will recognise he has never been one to rest on his laurels. By always striving for new and better ways to do things, Dick has been bold in introducing a variety of production innovations which hav

South Africa - DWR Distribution has announced the appointment of Annalise Hodgson who will lend a helping hand to Duncan Riley as a much-needed assistant.

Annalise previously worked at sound company Tadco before joining Christie Digital Systems as office manager. Her joined DWR Distribution at the start of December. "It's a great team and I will find my feet, once I've done the filing," she says. "I am so excited to be here."

Duncan Riley adds, "It's an honour and a privilege to have Annalise as part of our team. I wish her many happy years. I'm hoping that her input will mean I can spend more time with my family."

(Jim Evans)

Diplomatic Spat - South Korean pop stars appear to have become pawns in an escalating diplomatic spat between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of an American missile defence system.

Entertainers from the colourful Korean music scene, K-pop, have been mysteriously barred from entering China to perform, Korean TV shows and films have been blocked, and actors replaced by Chinese stars in advertising campaigns, say local press reports.

Wembley Bound - Adele has added two further dates at Wembley Stadium next year, after the initial concerts sold out. Dubbed The Finale, the four shows will see her play to more than 300,000 fans as she wraps up her world tour. The new shows will be on 28 June and 2 July, 2017, with tickets on sale from 7 December to members of her fan club.

Take That hold the record for playing the most dates at Wembley, having staged eight night

South Africa - DWR is setting up a charity organization aimed at freelancers. When freelancers fall ill, injure themselves or sometimes even pass away, it puts their family under immense pressure.

This charity will hopefully help a few people, on a merit basis, with basic assistance. This can either be in the form of helping to pay for school fees for a few months, maybe cover the rent, or providing grocery hampers. Each case will be submitted to the charity where a board will decide who we can assist and how.

Says DWR, "At the end of each year, DWR Distribution usually take pleasure in giving our clients gifts. This year, instead, we will use the money we would have used to buy presents to kick start the charity. It's something we believe will make a difference to someone who may find themselves in trouble when times are low. DWR will initiate the charity by donating R150

UK / Australia - Power distribution specialist, ide Systems, is branching out to Australia with its range of British-made power distribution equipment. The equipment includes distribution units, transfer switches and power cables for sectors that need temporary power such as events and exhibitions, construction, healthcare, industrial and offshore.

The company started the expansion with its recent delivery of an Australian order for a range of bespoke 400A power distribution boards. Ide Systems responded with the prompt delivery of the customised product. The client chose ide Systems specifically because of its high-quality products made in Britain and its reputation across the UK.

The company has adapted many of its electrical products destined for the Australian market, such as using the red, white, dark blue and black colours for power cable insulation. With 22 year

Latest Issue. . .

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline
Advertisement
If you accept, the ads on the page will be adapted to your preferences.
Google Ad
Accept
Decline