Switzerland - The Opéra de Lausanne reopened October 5, 2012, with a new production of The Elixir of Love by Donizetti. More than 700 guests from the political, economic, cultural and media realm celebrated the re-opening in Lausanne. It will be one of the most anticipated seasons now that the historic building which has been closed for five years for renovations and expansion work, is finally welcoming its residents back from a nomadic life on the road.

The Lausanne opera house was built in 1871, and was then drastically modernized in 1930. The latest upgrades were made to the stage, the backstage, orchestra pit, the interior design of the public areas, and an extensive expansion. Winners of the expansion contract, architects and Ines Lamuniére and Patrick Devanthéry delivered the design challenge with grace. The result is a lyrical contemporary faca

Cape Town Tragedy - A woman died, and 19 others were injured, after scaffolding collapsed outside a Linkin Park concert in Cape Town, South Africa. The temporary scaffolding outside Green Point stadium came down in high winds just before the concert last Wednesday.

A statement from the band expressed "deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died". The concert went ahead, with the band only learning of the death afterwards.

Theatre News - St George's Theatre in Great Yarmouth has reopened after an £8m refurbishment, having been beset by months of construction delays and the relocation of several shows. The 300-seat venue, located within a 16th-century chapel, launched its preview season last week after Great Yarmouth Borough Council handed over the lease of the premises to the St George's Arts

UK - Due to the "undisputed recognition and popularity of the PASMA name as the sole industry-recognised training scheme for mobile access towers", the Association says it has been made aware that a small number of unscrupulous companies are attempting to pass themselves off as PASMA Training Members, without having shown that they meet the industry standards needed to become an accredited PASMA member.

Says the organisation, "There is certainly no guarantee that these fake PASMA training companies will offer the quality of training required and expected within the industry. Instead, training from these organisations is likely to lead to wrong or outdated information being given as well as sub-standard training, which could clearly create a very real safety risk and is, therefore, a waste of time and money.

"It is also certain that training from these provi

UK / USA - PLASA's month-long elections to determine positions on its European and North American Regional Boards, together with its central Governing Body, concluded at midnight on Wednesday 31 October.

Companies and individuals from PLASA's worldwide membership voted in the elections which were conducted via a secure online poll.

There were four positions available on the European Regional Board. Martin Hawthorn of Hawthorn's was re-elected to a second term as Treasurer and Mark Surtees of Outback Rigging successfully retained his position as Production Services Representative. Noreen O'Riordan of Entec Sound and Light becomes the new Rental Company Representative, while Steve Macluskie of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will take on a second term as the Organizational Representative.

Five positions were up for election on the North American Regional Board with Scott H

UK - Pearce Hire has announced some notable additions to their team, their hire stock, and their premises after one of their busiest summer seasons ever.

The Peterborough-based company has acquired the unit adjacent to their existing premises, increasing their available warehouse and office facility by over 4,000sq.ft. There has also been a significant investment in new stock with the addition of over £200k of equipment to their inventory including CM Lodestar, Outboard, Robe, Sennheiser and Studio Due products.

This investment in equipment has been complemented by the addition of some new team members to ensure Pearce Hire continues to serve the needs of their diverse client base.

"It's a big decision to increase the square footage of our warehouse, and to commit to a significant purchase of new kit," comments Shaun Pearce, managing director of Pearce Hire.

Belgium - ADB Lighting Technologies has, with great sadness, announced the passing of one of the company's longest serving friends, its popular sales manager, Dirk Van Nieuwenhuysen, on 13 November 2012.Dirk, aged 50, who was married with two children, had worked exclusively with ADB Lighting since the mid 1980s.The company said: "In three decades that saw immense change in the entertainment lighting industry, he contributed greatly to the company's development, and helped oversee the transition through its management buyout from former owners Siemens in 2002, to today's privately owned, independent and thriving company."ADB CEO Christian Léonard, who returned from a Far East business visit last night on hearing the news, said: "Dirk has been part of ADB's history and a great friend and a huge source of inspiration. He played a major role in helping to build

France - Christie has announced the opening of its new office in France near Paris. Historically located in Gennevilliers, the new refurbished facility represents the logical next step for Christie's presence in the French market, providing an unrivalled level of service and support to its clients and partners, says the company.

With a surface area that has tripled in size, the new facility now occupies over 1000sq.m and hosts a vast area dedicated to service and training. It also has several dedicated spaces including a showroom for staging live demos, several rooms for seminars and training courses, along with an extended sales open space.

The new office is headed by Pascal Gervais, regional director, Christie for France. He enthused, "Following more than ten years of constant growth and successful brand development in the French market, and since we exceeded our capaci

USA / UK - As part of its recent growth, Aphex has announced that it has expanded its international distribution network to include UK-based World Marketing Associates, under the direction of Francis Williams, and San Diego-based International Sales, under the direction of Joe Manning.

In their new capacity with Aphex, World Marketing Associates will be serving as manufacturer's reps for the territory of Europe, the Middle-East and Africa (EMEA). International Sales, on the other hand, will serve Pacific Rim, India, Australia, Latin and South America.

"The next year is going to be a big one for us, with many new product introductions and continued market penetration," stated Rick McClendon, Aphex general manager. "As we grow and evolve, our sales and support network will create vital links between Aphex and the marketplace, and we are really excited about our ne

Variety Celebration - The Royal Variety Performance has marked its 100th anniversary with a show in front of The Queen at London's Royal Albert Hall. Host David Walliams arrived on stage as James Bond, complete with jet pack. Girls Aloud, One Direction, 2012 Britain's Got Talent winners Ashleigh Butler and dog Pudsey, and Sir Bruce Forsyth were among the British artists. Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys, Neil Diamond and Andrea Bocelli were among the international stars.

The sold-out performance is due to be broadcast on ITV1 on 3 December at 19:30 GMT. All proceeds are donated to The Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund (EABF), which cares for entertainers throughout the UK who need help.

Theatre News - The Mousetrap has celebrated going into its 60th year on stage with a gala performance featuring stars including Hugh Bonneville and Miranda Hart. The Agatha

UK - The Board of Stage Electrics has unanimously endorsed the recommendation of David Whitehead (founding partner and majority shareholder) and Dan Aldridge (MD) to appoint Trevor Smallwood as the new Chairman of the Board.

A company statement says, "This appointment enables Stage Electrics to benefit from the wisdom of Trevor's highly successful career to date as an entrepreneur and business leader including roles as Chairman of transport operator First Group and Bristol International Airport.

"Whilst receiving treatment for cancer over the last year David has continued in the role of Chairman, advising and guiding the senior management team. The appointment of Trevor as Chairman at this time facilitates David's wish to spend more time with his family.

"As the majority shareholder, David remains fully committed to the continued success of Stage Electrics and

UK - From April 2013 Britannia Row Productions Training will be offering courses in live sound practice and theory to people seriously considering a career in live audio. There will be a three month intensive full-time 'Live Sound Technology' course covering all essential aspects of live audio production. Advanced courses will offer training to industry professionals who wish to develop their skills further in specialist areas such as mix engineering.

Since its formation in 1975 Britannia Row Productions has always been at the forefront of live audio. In the ensuing decades, touring credits include artists as varied as The Pink Floyd, The Cure, Neil Young, Frank Sinatra, Florence and the Machine, Paul Simon, Duran Duran, Kasabian and the Foo Fighters. The company has also provided audio for events such as Live8, the Golden and Diamond Jubilees, as well as TV events such as BRIT

UK - Forward-thinking problem solving theatre design consultancy Charcoalblue has provided full planning, technical systems design service and business planning for one of the most up to date, technically sophisticated UK training facilities for the entertainment industry.

The Charcoalblue team has used its hands on theatre and training talents to help develop The National Skills Academy (NSA) in Thurrock, Thames Gateway, which delivers industry-endorsed training for young people and professionals as well as a national centre, rehearsal and administrative space.

The £13m scheme is currently supported by more than120 leading employers working in the theatre and 'live' music industries and signifies an ambitious vision to provide world-class training for the world's greatest stages.

Charcoalblue's responsibilities included developing alternative master-planning proposals

UK - Key members of the Swedish House Mafia (SHM) crew are moving with the groove and becoming Movember Mo Bros, sprouting creative, wacky and wild selections of facial hair in the process of cultivating of eclectic array of moustaches to raise money for the Movember men's health awareness initiative.

The point of Movember is to have fun, raise money and get people talking about the often overlooked issue of men's health, specifically in relation to prostrate and testicular cancer.

The eight-strong SHM Movember team were energised by tour manager Michael 'Curly' Jobson, whose attention was drawn to the issues when his father in law was diagnosed with prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men in the UK.

Joining Curly as Mo Bros are lighting designer Ian Tomlinson, FOH engineer Wayne 'Rabbit' Sargent, monitor engineer Carlos Herreros, production manager Mark Reuben, adva

Rolling On - The Rolling Stones returned to the London stage on Sunday night in the first of five concerts to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood were joined by their original bass player Bill Wyman at the 02 Arena. Music critics hailed the rockers' return a success. Reviews of the gig described the band as "still leading the pack" and "at the cutting edge of pop".

"They have a combined age of 273, but the four Stones remain an extraordinary live proposition," John Aizlewood wrote in the Evening Standard.

"Jagger, camp and louche, was a preening but energetic peacock; Richards was as cool as a man sporting a red hairband and turquoise jacket could possibly be; Ronnie Wood was a chirpy mascot and that ocean of serenity Charlie Watts showed the tiniest of drumkits can make the

UK - With only four stands remaining, exhibitors need to act now to secure a presence at the fifth annual PLASA Focus: Leeds 2013, taking place at the Royal Armouries, on Tuesday 30 April and Wednesday 1 May 2013.

Following record attendance in 2012, the premier entertainment technology trade show in the North has attracted even more companies that are keen to access the 50% of visitors who do not attend any other trade show during the year.

Mark Priestley, project manager at Unusual Rigging explains the rationale behind their decision to book for the first time: "Although a committed supporter of PLASA, 2013 will see Unusual Rigging making its exhibitor debut at PLASA Focus. We have completed a lot of projects in the north of England and Scotland but we believe we will be able to introduce our range of services to new customers at Leeds. When we visited the show last yea

Off Stage - Stevie Wonder has pulled out of a concert raising money for the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces. The singer had been scheduled to perform at the Los Angeles event on 6 December. In a statement, Wonder said: "I am and have always been against war, any war, anywhere."

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is currently in place, after a week of violence in Gaza last month. But tensions still run high. This week's gala concert supports an organisation which raises money for Israeli soldiers and their families. Wonder said the United Nations had recommended cancelling his performance because he is an official UN Messenger of Peace.

Festivals 2013 - Rihanna and Mumford & Sons have been announced as headliners for next year's T in the Park festival. The event, Scotland's biggest festival, is celebrating its 20th year in 2013 and will see US singe

Future Sounds - Fifteen of the most promising new music acts have been named on the BBC's Sound of 2013 longlist. Aimed at showcasing talent for the year ahead, the list was compiled using tips from 213 tastemakers, who each named their favourite three new acts.

Soul singer Michael Kiwanuka came out on top last year, with Adele, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding among past winners. The 2013 line-up includes boy-girl pop duo AlunaGeorge, Birmingham indie group Peace and Californian sisters Haim. Other acts tipped for success include all-girl post-punk band Savages, Glasgow electro-pop three-piece Chvrches and London rock quartet Palma Violets, whose debut single Best Of Friends was recently named track of the year by the NME.

The Sound of 2013 winner will be announced online and by DJ Huw Stephens on the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show on 4 January.

Theatre Awards - Danny Boyle's

UK - University Campus Oldham (UCO) and Oldham Coliseum Theatre are launching a Teaching Theatre Partnership that they say will "lead the way forward in offering the opportunity to study performance and technical theatre at university level, combined with experience within a professional repertory theatre".

Debbie Bridge, Head of University Campus, says: "We are very proud of the opportunity that we have created for students at University Campus Oldham. We offer 15 places on each course to generate the same experience you would have if you were part of a small theatre company, the resources we have are excellent and added to this we have the partnership with Oldham Coliseum to provide the dynamic of live theatre."

UCO offers two-year Foundation Degrees in Performance, and Technical Theatre, which can lead into the final year of the BA (Hons) at Huddersfield

Norway - German media and broadcast specialists Studio Hamburg MCI have followed up the installation of four independently-configured BroaMan automatic routing systems for Swedish national broadcaster SVT, by specifying the same brand for an OB van fit-out at NRK in Norway.

This was the first project MCI had executed for NRK and was the result of winning a competitive tender. A BroaMan fibre solution had been in their mind right from the outset, according to project manager, Götz Ahlert.

Explaining the challenge, he said, "The task was to set up quickly, and with a minimum of cabling, a reliable connection between up to four TV cameras and an OB van - connected via satellite to the broadcast centre in Oslo. The BroaMan fibre units are designed to be located in a stagebox on the camera side, and inside the OB truck on the corresponding side."

BroaMan supplied was a

US Invasion - Adele has been named Billboard's top artist of 2012, while her hit record 21 was named top album of the year in the music magazine's annual review.The 24-year-old is the first to receive both accolades two years in a row. Londoner Adele was also named top female artist, with hip hop star Drake named top male artist. Former X Factor contestants One Direction rounded off a successful year of US invasion after being named top new artist and Maroon 5 were top group.

The honours for Adele come in a year which saw her win six Grammy awards and dominate the US charts. Her second album 21 went straight to number one when it was released in March 2011 and did not leave the top 10 until the beginning of September this year. During that time, it spent 24 weeks at the top spot.

Play It Again - A piano that features in the classic 1940s film

Denmark - Schouw & Co., parent company of Martin Professional, has entered into an agreement with the global 'infotainment' and audio company Harman International Industries to sell Martin to Harman. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in Q1 2013.

Through this new combination of two worldwide industry leaders, Harman and Martin believe that their comprehensive offering of audio, lighting and video solutions for the live stage and events, as well as permanent venues and installations, will 'provide new, exciting opportunities and will take customer satisfaction to even higher levels'.

This transaction will create a one-stop-shop for the professional entertainment market. Adding Martin to Harman's USD $4.4 billion organization and combining two of the largest R&D budgets in the audio and entertainme

UK - The APRS, in association with PLASA and the MIA, has made great progress in stimulating interest in exploring the Brazilian market since their scoping visit with the UKTI trade Mission in September. 15 UK companies have expressed interest in participating in a joint, national stand to create the best possible impression for their first time appearance in Brazil. The combined Booth/APRS/UKTI trade 'Embassy' could offer an opportunity to gain vital experience of the Brazilian market place, meet importers and distributors and make informed decisions about how to establish a foothold in this exciting country at a particularly auspicious time.

In addition to the 10 £1,800 grants available to eligible companies, the APRS is hoping that there will also be some additional funding for what UKTI call 'enhanced activity' during the event which will offer a Consular event to intr

UK - PRG reports that it has created a consolidated production department, with John McEvoy taking the role of head of production from 1 January 2013.

The new department aligns the teams within PRG, focused on the installation, operation and pre-production of projects across the concert touring, theatre, corporate & TV markets. The new team is centred around PRG's SW London premises, where the company's WYSIWYG studios and demo spaces are located.

As well as site based engineers, crew chiefs and technicians, the team also includes specialists in digital media and all aspects of pre-production, supporting PRG's lighting, video and rigging projects. John McEvoy has a long history in the technical production industry, having started his career at VariLite Production Services. John latterly ran the Full-Service Division at Essential Lighting which became a part of Production Resou

USA - Tait Technologies has appointed Jim Kempf as its new director of design for automated rigging, based in the Lititz, Pennsylvania office. Kempf will oversee the newly-formed winch and hoist design department, in addition to the existing track and rig design department. He will also support the permanent installation and rental/touring markets.

Joining Tait with nearly 15 years' experience at PRG Scenic Technologies, Jim's most recent positions there included director of technical design, as well as design development and estimating lead. With an impressive portfolio, he has served as the project lead on over 100 Broadway shows, including 42nd St., Wicked, The Producers, Spiderman, Book of Mormon and more.

Originally hailing from Long Island, New York, Jim's educational background consists of a BFA in Scenic and Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon and a MFA in Technical D

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