Recycling Sets - Theatre companies can now advertise and recycle old sets and costumes on a new Freecycle-style website specifically designed for the sector. With the tag line "giving your unwanted set a new home", Set-exchange.co.uk has been launched with the aim of encouraging production companies to share unwanted sets, costumes and props with other theatre organisations across the UK for free. Companies including the Royal Court, Glyndebourne and the Lyric Hammersmith have already pledged their support to the website.

Set-exchange was set up by lighting designer and production electrician Peter Harrison. He told The Stage, "The idea came from me working with some of the small companies as well as the big companies and seeing waste in one and scrimping and saving from the other, so it came out of trying to share resources."

Set-exchange is structu

World - PLASA has released a draft voluntary code of practice on Artificial Optical Radiation (AOR) for comments or observations from the global professional lighting industry.

The background to the document lies in the introduction of new EU Directive and national legislation regarding AOR, and the subsequent agreement, by manufacturers attending a presentation that PLASA's Ron Bonner and the Health Protection Agency gave at the PLASA 2010, that guidance should be created.

In short, the new legislation requires employers to assess the exposure to the workforce of AOR and if the exposure is believed to be above permitted levels, the employer will need to measure the levels and take action to reduce the exposure. Manufacturers will also have a duty to supply relevant safety information. In the UK this is enshrined in health and safety law, but will also be part of the conformit

UK - Designed by David Chipperfield Architects with auditorium design by Charcoalblue theatre consultants, the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield opened to the public on Saturday 21May 2011.

Built to house works created by its namesake, sculptress Barbara Hepworth, as well as other British contemporary artists, visitors will be able to augment their visual experience through a variety of multi-media talks, presentations and lectures in the Charcoalblue-designed auditorium.

Charcoalblue's design director, Gavin Green, collaborated with Chipperfields to deliver a balance of style and technical wizardry in the space. Green, who is fresh from the launch of the RSC's new 1,000-seat theatre, says , "Working alongside a world-respected, multi award-winning architectural firm like Chipperfields has been an honour and an extremely rewarding learning experience. In addition, contributin

UK - At this year's ABTT show, The First Night Riders (FNRs), will once more be shaking their money raising buckets in aid of theatre charity, The Theatrical Guild.

On the 15-16 June, at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London, the money raising motorcyclists will be showcasing photo highlights from last year's charity ride. However this year they will be looking to top last year's total of £12,000.

This photo slideshow, which features backstage images of number of historically important UK venues, will be displayed on a large screen, generously provided by Blitz Video and positioned in the Lawrence Hall Foyer.

FNR organisers will be on hand on both show days to sign up any motorbike-riding volunteers looking for adventure! The ride will depart on 18 June from outside of the National Theatre, London, escorted by London police motorbike outriders.

FNR organiser David Ed

USA - The explosive growth of computer networking technology (IT) has produced huge benefits for many industries, and the AV market is no exception. The advantages of digital media networking have been clear for some time, but until now many felt that there were too many limitations and too much to learn in order to make the switch.

Peavey Commercial Audio, and Audinate along with Allen and Heath, Lab.gruppen, and media partner Sound & Communications, will be presenting "a morning of insightful and real world presentations by the industries top A/V manufacturers" on Tuesday 14 June at the Rosen Centre in Orlando.

The seminar also includes AV design consultant Stefan Mathias of the Hartmann + Mathais Partnership. Mathias will also be speaking about their Goethe University AV installation in Frankfurt, which recently won a Sinus Award at this year's PL+S. In add

UK - CUK Audio has announced that Simon Druce is joining its sales team. Druce will be bringing his sales and technical expertise to support the complete line of brands distributed by CUK Audio, including Audica Professional, Community, Clair Brothers Systems, DIS (Danish Interpretation Systems), Digigram, MTSi, Powersoft, Sabine, Symetrix and Work.

Druce previously spent 10 years at beyerdynamic, and subsequently Polar Audio, as national sales manager. More recently he was employed by Audio-Technica as UK sales manager, pro-audio and installation.

CUK Audio MD, Stuart Thomson comments, "We have grown rapidly during our early years and acquired distribution of an excellent range of advanced technology brands. For our next phase of growth we need to step up our customer support, and that's where Simon's experience expands our capabilities.

"Simon will work alongside

UK - Audac has released a new model within the SP Series, the SP20HA, a version specifically designed for hanging purposes. The SP series are high efficiency sound projectors designed to provide good speech intelligibility and background music in a wide variety of applications. They can be used indoors as well as outdoors and are suited for usage in large 100V broadcast systems such as train stations or airports. The enclosure is made of white weatherproof ABS with a white weatherproof coated aluminium front grill.

The SP20 is a humidity proof 20 Watt sound projector that ensures "good, powerful sound reproduction", making it suitable for speech and music. It is fitted with a 4" broadband loudspeaker, the power is adjustable by the integrated 100 V line transformer and can be altered using the four different power taps for 20 W, 10 W, 5 W and 2.5 W.

The mounting

UK - At this year's ABTT Theatre Show, both the organiser - the Association of British Theatre Technicians - and an exhibitor that has appeared at the show every year since the show began - White Light - will mark important milestones, with the ABTT celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, and White Light turning 40.

While marking historic moments, both organisations will, as always, be concentrating on the future, showing some of the latest advances in lighting technology. White Light is taking two stands at the show.

Filling these will be some of the latest LED fixtures, which see LEDs move into the world of framing spotlights rather than just washlights: both the new Coemar Reflection LED ko and the Juliat Aledin spotlights will be on show.The Aledin takes the established Juliat profile spot bodywork and adds a white LED source, while the Reflection offers either white or colo

USA - Technomad is set to introduce "the world's first completely weatherproof, all-in-one, self-casing portable PA system for the commercial pro audio market" at InfoComm 2011 in Orlando.

The DragonFly, adapted from Technomad's rugged military technology, is idesignedfor mobile pro audio and staging events that require "outstanding audio quality, lightweight portability, quick setup, ease of operation and durable construction for outdoor events". The self-casing, 100-percent weatherproof design fully protects the system components from moisture, dirt, shock and other elements in outdoor environments, supporting everything from ceremonies and parades to sporting events and concerts, says the company.

The inclusion of green, rechargeable and long-lasting battery power, along with a potent audio output, supports mobile audio free of extension cords for crowds

Sweden - Lab.gruppen and Lake have announced the release of the latest version of Lake Controller software (v5.7) with accompanying firmware for both the PLM Powered Loudspeaker Management products and the LM 26 Digital Audio Loudspeaker Processor.

Working alongside both industry partners and leading end-users, engineers at Lab.gruppen and Lake have taken a significant leap forward with this latest release of Lake Controller; designed to offer "ever greater flexibility and compatibility for end users, further optimizing system audio performance".

New levels of functionality are provided as PLM Series products now support a new processing module type. The extensive filtering can be used to create both crossover and driver EQ, facilitating linear phase, minimum phase or arbitrary phase filters. The filters can also be used to create classic crossovers and specific driv

UK - Goboland UK has chosen ABTT 2011 to launch its new website. The new user-friendly layout gives easy access to "all the information you need about Goboland gobos and products including the Black Steel Gobos, the famed Credit Crunch Gobo, GoboSlides, film slides, Black Holes, Tweakers and its bespoke etching service, Gobo Creative". Details of Goboland UK's specialist services for image size calculation, keystone distortion and pincushion correction and its Green Scene gobo recycling scheme are also to be found here.

To coincide with the new website, Goboland UK is also presenting a new catalogue at the show which can be downloaded directly from the website. Choose between Black Steel, Premier, Designer and Glass Gobo Collections.

Following its launch at PLASA 2010, Goboland UK will be promoting its GoboSlides, the economical film-based alternative to full colour

Belgium - ArKaos has announced its new hardware A30 media server. Built for the MediaMaster software, the A30 is the result of the latest research made by ArKaos in terms of raw performance but also structural strength, vibration protection and heat tolerance, says the company.

The case has been designed to allow a very efficient air flow. Several fans, protected by a dust filter, are located at the front of the case and can be easily serviced without opening the rest of the case. This is done through a special door that gives access to both the fans and the filter without exposing any cables or electrical connections. This is very handy when working on long tours.

The custom-made case provides a convenient display on the front which allows the server to be used without the need to connect to an external display. The front cover also provides a large LED strip that gives feedb

New Zealand - Philips Selecon head Jeremy Collins has announced he will be leaving Philips Selecon at the end of June.

Collins, who bought the company in 1985 (with colleague Andrew Nichols) and has been instrumental in building the Selecon brand over the past quarter of a century, says he is moving on "to a new stage' in his life".

Since Philips acquired Selecon in April 2009, Collins has been a driving force in ensuring a smooth transition and further development of the Philips Selecon products.

"For 25 years Selecon has been a major part of my life,' says Collins. "To my Selecon New Zealand colleagues and those around the world, a very special thank you - we successfully worked together and created a successful global business, which led our niche in many markets around the world. A fantastic achievement, which I hope you all take pride in, as I do.

UK - The CometFlame, distributed by Le Maitre, is "a spectacular new machine which produces incredible flames up to 6mhigh and is designed for both outdoor and indoor use". It fires for five seconds at a time and can be set to fire in high frequency or at preselected intervals. Further, the flame can set at five different firing angles - 45, 22, 0, 22 and 45 degrees - to create different effects.

A feature of the system is that unlike other models, the flames can be produced in multiple colours, with six colour fluids in the range: red, green, yellow, blue, purple and orange.

The CometFlame doesn't need any gas, which means there is no need for any external pressure vessels containing gas or CO2. The absence of gas makes the system much safer and enables it to be used in environments where gas systems may not be used. No special license is required to operate the sys

Germany - On 1 May, Alexander Donath accepted the position of sales manager Western Europe for Electro-Voice. In his new role, he will be the contact for distributors operating in Western European countries.

Donath states, "Rental companies and building clients on installation projects are obliged to invest in future-proof technology and therefore require comprehensive support from the planning stage right through to the commissioning and day-to-day operation of the equipment.

"Under the Bosch umbrella, Electro-Voice and its distributors are able to offer customers this high level of service and products. These are the most important factors contributing to the satisfaction of our customers, and I'm delighted to be working for a company with such a strong tradition and with such outstanding prospects for the future."

An academically qualified engineer and enth

UK - PR Lighting has announced the release of its new XS 1200 Spot - a versatile, bright moving head, with rapid beam movement. Its power is due to the use of a 1200W short arc discharge lamp, which is optimised by the super-efficient optical system, says the company.

The XS 1200 is fully featured, with smooth CYM colour mixing system with macro function, six dichroic colour filters (plus white) and linear CTO, as well as five indexable rotating gobos and seven fixed gobos plus white (all easily interchangeable). There is a motorised 12°-22° linear zoom, extended to fixed 26° (16-bit adjustment).

Other features include: DMX controlled, linearly adjustable focus (8- or 16-bit); 0-100% linearly adjustable dimmer and 5-100% adjustable iris; 1 linear lens, two frosts and one prism (bi-directionally, rotatable, indexable); effect wheel with one CTC, one CTO, one bi-colo

Ukraine - The Opera Café has opened in Odessa's Arcadia Plaza hotel, complete with a QSC sound system.

Installed by the engineering department of Real Music, QSC's Ukrainian distributors, the venue takes its name from the world-renowned Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre. The Café itself is located right in Odessa's late night tourist mecca.

Operated by a local entrepreneur, the former private members club and restaurant within the hotel has been completely restored and repositioned as an elite karaoke restaurant. The venue is divided into four zones - the main karaoke hall, two VIP rooms and a dancefloor.

Real Music submitted the best technical solution, fulfilling the clients' request for a QSC sound system - which was preferred to other brands they had experienced.

Real Music set about the design, installing four QSC lightweight, portable active K8 8in full r

UK - The ABTT has teamed up with leading insurance broker Jelf Insurance Brokers to present its 2011 Awards.

Jelf Insurance Brokers are part of Jelf ,an independent consultancy that supports both businesses and individuals, giving expert advice on insurance, healthcare, employee benefits and financial planning. Jelf is launching a bespoke insurance package for ABTT Members at the Theatre Show and it represents their first move into the theatre and entertainment sector.

"We're delighted to be able to show our support of the ABTT by sponsoring the 2011 Awards," comments Andy Tedstone, partnerships director (Insurance) at Jelf. "It is the ideal showcase for us to launch our insurance package to ABTT members, which is specially tailored to meet the needs of professionals working in the theatre business. We are also honoured to be part of an Awards scheme that celebr

UK - Adele is in the midst of a world tour that sees the soul/R&B singer visiting Europe and North America in support of her second studio album, 21.

Handling production design for the tour is Rob Sinclair who has created a minimalistic, elegant design that reflects the feel and emotion of the singer herself.

The set is dominated by a series of warm lampshades with Martin Professional MAC 101 washes used as backdrop lighting and Martin MAC 700 Profiles rigged overhead.

Sinclair, who uses the lighting more for mood and performer lighting than effect, says the MAC 101s have performed and held up "really well" and that he chose the compact moving heads for their small size and bright output in an affordable package.

Lighting supply for the spring European leg of the Adele 21 tour was by UK company Neg Earth while Upstaging is handling the North America

Spain - On the outskirts of Vigo, a new 1.5m Euro studio complex, VigoSónico has recently opened giving local young musicians, producers and sound engineers the opportunity to explore their creativity in a world class studio environment.

The recording studio itself centres around a 24-channel Audient ASP8024-CS console, complete with Digidesign Command 8 and Protools 9 HD. Designed and installed by Audient's local distributor, Reflexion Arts the high-end equipment list also includes a comprehensive selection of quality microphones and outboard gear.

Sergio Castro, of Reflexion Arts comments, "The Audient desk fits into this set-up perfectly. We have every confidence that its solid, professional appearance along with Audient's well-known sonic clarity will serve VigoSónico very well for many years."

Already attracting the attention of local young artists, the Vigo

Attendance Figures - Star performers, including Keira Knightley, helped ensure that the proportion of West End theatregoers watching plays in 2010 rose again. The share of attendances for plays last year was 26.2% - up 0.7% from 2009, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) said. It was already up 4.3% from 2008. The share for musicals was 59.5% - down 1.2% from 2009. It fell 4.4% from 2008 to 2009. Total attendances topped 14m. Figures refuted "claims that musicals are taking over", the SOLT said. Plays also achieved a record attendance total of 3,702,031, while the musicals attendance total was down 3% to 8,423,430.

In its box office data report, the SOLT states that "the big driver" behind business in 2010 was major name actors in plays. They included Knightley and Damian Lewis in The Misanthrope, as well as Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall and Matthew M

UAE - Melody House, distributor of HK Audio speaker systems has recently supplied Dubai-based rental firm Abacus Rentals with a ConTour Array system from HK Audio. The rental firm decided on the purchase after a comprehensive demonstration that highlighted the power, flexibility and clarity of the system from the German company.

"Abacus Rentals are a growing rental firm and this latest purchase will take them to new heights," commented Dino Drimakis, business development manager at Melody House. "With this second ConTour Array system in the UAE, HK Audio is gradually building a strong reputation in the live sound market."

(Jim Evans)

UK - MHA Lighting has been recognised for its outstanding performance by being shortlisted in the Energy Innovation Awards 2011.

The Atherton-based lighting specialist was today announced as a finalist in the Existing Performance Improvement category. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at The Hilton, Manchester, on 23 June 2011.

The awards, now in their second year, are the brainchild of the world-class Energy Innovation Centre, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations flying the flag for energy innovation and sustainability.

Entries were received from across the UK and as far afield as Eastern Europe, from a wide range of organisations including start-ups, research centres and multinational organisations.

MHA Lighting managing director Tom Harrison said, "Innovation is paramount to tackling national and global energy dema

Kuwait - Hala Febrayer is Kuwait's leading music and poetry festival and one of the cultural highlights of the Gulf, attracting some of the most creative and talented musicians, singers, writers and intellectuals from across the Arab world.

Currently in its twelfth year, the series of concerts was televised by Kuwaiti TV Network Al-Watan over the course of several nights, starting 3 February 2011.

Once again, ACT Lighting Design of Brussels, Belgium were invited to design the production and given responsibility for the set design, lighting design, and video content. The challenge was how to raise the bar set high from the previous year. ACT principal Koert Vermeulen took on the role of lighting and production designer working alongside ACT set designer Marcos Vinals.

The team proposed a striking design dominated by concentric rings of video arranged in stacks across the stag

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