General

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14 March 2016

The new places were made available by the departure of Paul Adams (PAI Group) and Paul Hinkly (LMC Audio) from the committee. Paul Adams stepped down at the end of 2001, having served on the committee for 11 years, including four years as chairman (1995-98) and three years as vice-chairman (1999-2001). Paul Hinkly, who took the decision not to re-stand for election at the end of 2001, had served on the committee for 18 months and had been a valued member of the team during that time. At the December 2001 meeting of the committee, PLASA Chairman Mick Hannaford acknowledged the valuable contributions that both men made to the

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14 March 2016

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14 March 2016

This is the first time that the Association has received funding for this event: eligible participants will receive 60% of stand and constructions costs, up to a limit of £2,300. To benefit from the grant companies must be registered in the UK and exhibit predominately UK products and services. You don’t have to be a PLASA member to benefit. If you are interested in NSCA call Norah Phillips on 01323 410335 or e-mail norah@plasa.org. The deadline for return of application forms is 28th February 2002 so don’t delay.

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14 March 2016

Over 11,000 directories are printed: in addition to being distributed to the full mailing list of L&SI (which includes architects, consultants, designers, distributors, engineers, installers, hire companies, production crews and venue managers), the Directories are also despatched to all British embassies worldwide and circulated widely at industry trade shows and events.

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14 March 2016

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14 March 2016

The 90-minute awards ceremony was hosted by radio & TV personality Mike Read and featured live entertainment from The Commitments, snooker star-turned-recording artist Peter Ebdon, rising all-girl pop act the Four Tunes, and multimedia dance outfit Future Vision Project.

And the winners were...

Live Production of the Year - Robbie Williams - Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs & Stadiums Tour

Best Production Manager - Bill Leabody

Best Tour Manager - Henry McGroggan

Best Front Of House Sound Engineer - Robbie McGrath

Best Monitor Engineer - John Roden

Best Sound Rental Company - SSE Hire

Best Lighting Designer - Nick Sholem

Best Lighting Rental Company - Bandit

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14 March 2016

Within the automotive sector there are also some key projects ahead with the team, headed up by John Furneaux, looking forward to working with Skoda to create its stand for the Birmingham International Motor Show, in addition to major projects with Citroen and Bentley Motors. Ray Hole, architectural directo

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14 March 2016

The analysis focuses on the key players, making suggestions of how these companies will "move forward". Fastening on 10 key areas of attention, the analysis shows how current performance might change and how the company will respond to competition.

Not saving any punches, this analysis names 12 losing pace, three of which had sales of over £6.1 million. These companies are not alone in their retreat, as 11 other companies have been named that require a period of great change in order to compete. Many companies have elected to capture market based on debt. Whilst the risk associated with this strategy is high, the short-term effect on others is profound. This method of survival is in

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14 March 2016

(Ruth Rossington)

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14 March 2016

VFG Plc went into administrative receivership on 20 December 2001, having found itself over invested in new equipment. The new operation will operate as a private company, and is headed by executive chairman Bill Gore who has been advising the company for some time on the restructuring process. By mutual agreement Richard Dunkley steps down as managing director. Bob Sutcliffe will be joining the board as a non-executive director and Keith Long will be its new finance director. Graham Hawkins and Bill Summers remain as heads of the camera and lighting operations respectively.

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14 March 2016

Focusing on stage technology in its widest sense, and covering all types of performance venue, this is the first international conference structured to attract theatre technicians, architects, consultants, designers, engineers and acousticians, as well as administrators, building owners and project managers. The conference includes discussion on the current trends in stage machinery and other stage technologies, alongside debate about the types of, and need for, new buildings. The implications of new and existing regulations are to be examined, as well as the process of designing and constructing one of the most complex types of building. The conference, which is being presented by the Association of British Theatre Technicians in conjunction with its In

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14 March 2016

From there, AC offered to loan a desk to Jaeger for a forthcoming production of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch, Essex. The production, directed by Matt Devitt, with set design by Dinah England, was set to run through seven weeks in December and January. Jaeger, along with the Queens Theatre’s house technician Dave Starmer, who handled the programming of the show, were full of praise for the system, with particular emphasis on the system’s programming facilities. "It&rsqu

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14 March 2016

Theatreshare will operate as a theatrical investment and production company, its main remit to develop and produce a range of new productions for London’s West End. To fund the venture, the company has gone for the rare approach, in West End terms at least, of inviting large numbers of small investors to buy in to the venture for a minimum stake of £2,500. The target is £2million.

The high-profile hook is the promise of a share in potential profits from ticket sales, theatre transfers and film and TV adaptations. The less appetising downside is made clear in smallprint on the company’s website - "this carries a high degree of risk and may result in t

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14 March 2016

A glass panel, one of 100 designed to improve acoustics at the venue, fell onto seating during a recent performance of the ballet Excelsior. Fortunately, the seats beneath were empty, cleared because technicians felt uneasy about cracks that had started to appear in some of the panels. Inevitably, this has led commentators to speculate on the safety of the theatre, which was constructed in just over two years in order to be ready for the start of the 2002 season. The theatre is currently closed whilst further investigations takes place.

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14 March 2016

In common with many other companies in the entertainment industry, Bytecraft owes its existence to dear old Strand Electric. During Strand’s sojourn as part of the Rank organization, it operated in Australia as part of Rank Electronics, a company that manufactured and marketed everything from telecine chains and stage machinery to consumer electronics and language laboratories. Amongst other projects, Rank Electronics had won the contracts to supply the stage lifts and wagons, lighting and audio to the Victorian Arts Centre (VAC), in Melbourne. The project was in the process of complet

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14 March 2016

Part of that objective will be met by Ra’alloy’s new modular aluminium stage system - Rapi-Stage - which incorporates integral truss supports eliminating ground support, and allowing virtually any shape platform to be erected. Designed in conjunction with a temporary staging structural engineer, and within the guidelines set by The Institute of Structural Engineers, the system complies with all loadings and maintains lateral stability. Rapi-Stage can be used as an extension to an existing st

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14 March 2016

"We had close to one hundred visitors," notes White Light’s general manager Bryan Raven, "many of whom hadn’t had the chance to visit our new building since we moved here last October. I think they were quite surprised at the difference between our old base in Fulham and where we are now - but were relieved to discover that all of the familiar White Light faces they know are still here. Albeit all with a little more room to work in!"

Amongst those at the open day were theatre lighting designers Si

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14 March 2016

The move comes after lengthy negotiations with the Society of London Theatres (SOLT) - the association which represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of 50 theatres in central London. Even an eight- hour session at ACAS couldn’t help the two sides resolve their differences.

In the latest round of talks SOLT increased its original offer from 1.6% to 3.25%, but withdrew its undertaking to backdate the award to 18 November 2001. This would increase the average wage to £6.54 an hour, but, according to the union, would still leave seven of the West End theatres’ 10 pay grades below the Council of Europe's £7.39 decency threshold - and five below the Low Pay Unit’s threshold of £6.82.

BECTU sa

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14 March 2016

Sarner, which has recently been bought-out by two of its directors, Michael Bennett and Ross Magri, will be responsible for the design and production of special effects for the new visitor attraction, while ESP will project-manage the fit-out of the centre, bringing life to the dramatic designs - from the spectacular hanging celestial sphere, through to the ‘Journey To The Stars’ space-time machine.

IASC, which is part of the continued regeneration of Liverpool’s Wirral district, is scheduled for completion in Easter 2003.

Visitors will be taken on an interactive journey through time and space using multi-sensory technology, simulated time travel, projection and special effects.

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14 March 2016

Developed by Peter Ed, who, since beginning his career at Theatre Projects in 1978, has worked with some of the industry’s most influential entertainment technology companies, PE Consulting helps its clients towards a clear definition of their objectives and the method of achieving them. "The most successful companies involve everyone pulling in the same direction and all resources having the same end in mind," said Ed. "PE Consulting looks at all aspects of marketing from growth planning and international market development, marketing strategy and product pricing, to internet marketing and customer relationship management, image building and public

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14 March 2016

Jason Ward moves from his post at global conference and exhibition company Mice International to join as production manager. Ward, who moves from London to the company’s headquarters in Skipton, will manage technical design and resourcing, freelance production staff, and the scheduling, technical and administrative requi

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14 March 2016

Brad will be working in partnership with Nomad Cases, a manufacturer of custom-built flightcases, polypropylene cases and padded bags, based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Ron Bonner, PLASA’s new Health and Safety Standards Officer hopes that members will make use of the Forum to debate and offer comment on all aspects of Health and Safety issues that are having, or may have an impact, on the way in which they conduct their business. The Forum will also serve as a useful reference on how other members are approaching their duty to this very important and necessary area.

The Forum is open to members only and can be accessed via password by logging on to the PLASA website at

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14 March 2016

8 From 1st February 2002, the new maximum award for unfair dismissal increased to £60,100 made up of a maximum compensatory award of £52,600 and £7,500 basic award. Compensation for unlawful sex, race and disability discrimination remains unlimited.

8 In October 2001 the requirement in the Working Time Regulations that a worker must be employed for 13 weeks before becoming entitled to the statutory four weeks paid annual leave became illegal. Workers are now entitled to paid leave from day one of their employment, although in the first year it can be taken by accruing it at the rate of one twelfth of their full entitlement every month.

The M