Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

According to the Opera House’s artistic directors Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, the passage of time and millions of visitors have taken their toll on a building that has received no major repairs to either its mechanical, technical or performance spaces since the late 1920s. The new 2,890-seat auditorium has been redesigned to be an aesthetically stunning and state-of-the-art performance hall worthy of housing Seattle’s world-class performances for years to come.

JR Clancy, specialists in the

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14 March 2016

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14 March 2016

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14 March 2016

The BGV C1 Lodestars have double the normal hoist safety factor, with a 10:1 chain safety factor; double brakes - each capable of stopping the full load; 4-position limit switches including emergency switches; 24V control; under/overload electronic protection and a slack chain detection device.

The FX Star has all t

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14 March 2016

Harkness Hall, which manufactures screens for a wide range of applications including cinema, AV, theme parks, attractions and special events, will now focus on its core screen manufacturing and distribution activities. Andrew Robinson, MD of Harkness Hall told L&SI: "The divestment of the theatre products division follows an opportune approach from its management. It will enable Harkness Hall to focus on developing our worldwide screen business based on our operations in Europe, USA and Asia.

"Our current range of screen surfaces and

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14 March 2016

The unusual request came from Park Avenue Productions, who were organizing a launch event for the Orange brand in The Netherlands. Fortunately, ESS had developed technology for the ‘Orange Experience’ in Bucharest the previous year, and was able to reapply some of the equipment used then. "We modified the original system with new 200sq.m front and back sheets and designed a brand new base unit of steel beams," said Smalldon. "The base unit interacted between the barge and the other components ensuring stability of the tall, sail-like marque (which measured 15 x 15 x 3m), even in adverse wind conditions." The entire structure was built in Amste

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14 March 2016

Dimitroff joined Columbus McKinnon as a customer service representative in 1996 and since then has held numerous titles within the organization. Most recently, he was a customer service supervisor while simultaneously handling a variety of duties on the entertainment side of the business.

CM has also announced that Stuart

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14 March 2016

They come in two sizes - the mini and the maxi (which can hold a load of 100kg) and are available in black and white in bags of 10s or 20s. Charles Haines, Halls’ managing director, said: "After years of making what felt like thousands of cyc stretchers and drape clamps out of 3 x 1 and sash cord in my days as a stage carpenter, I always thought there had to be a better way. There never seemed to be any left after a get-out and we had a ‘scraps box’ in the workshop - just for making replacements. Well, now we’ve got a better way - easy,

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14 March 2016

Stage Technologies provided the production with a single-axis performer flying system, using a BigTow winch for counter weight assist and a Juggler control console. In a play where nymphs, fairies, royalty and common folk all clash on stage in their frantic search for love, the pr

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14 March 2016

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Mark Ager and John Hastie founded Stage Technologies in 1994 to develop and supply theatres and entertainment venues internationally with computer-controlled systems to move scenery and fly performers. In the nine years since its inception, it has gone from strength to strength, and now has an impressive list of clients based around the globe. Most recently, the company has supplied automation systems for the new Wal

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14 March 2016

Adrian Brooks is one of the industry nice guys - at least in my book - something I put down to the fact that his feet remain firmly on the ground, despite the obvious success of the Litestructures operation.

Although he’d probably be the last to admit it, he is now sitting at the head of an impressive empire which offers the design, installation, sales and hire of a complete range of trussing, display and staging systems. Operating from a central HQ in Wakefield, with satellite offices in Nottingham and London, and an overseas distribution centre in Emsdetten, Germany, the company employs over 80 people across its four operations (including three install

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14 March 2016

The tour features an integrated show performed by both S Club Juniors and Seniors, with the Juniors’ high-action set kick-starting the evening’s entertainment. The live camera mix is directed by Blue Leach, working with an XL team of five. Leach was also involved in creating most of the Seniors&r

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14 March 2016

ELP were in charge of structural design and all rigging services. Their specialist crew made use of an assortment of rigging hardware, 'A' type trussing and sand ballast to create a solid and safe structure. Head rigger Richard Wythes remarked "Jack is genuinely scared of heights so it was a real ordeal for him.we had to make sure that every health and safety aspect was checked and double checked."

Despite blustery conditions the event was a great success and became one of the most memorable episodes on red nose day. ELP managing director Ronan Willson co

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14 March 2016

The system allows for the quick and easy raising/lowering of suspension or lighting bars for scenery and lighting equipment with a motor-driven unit. It can be installed onto any style of fixing or structure, including universal beams, trussing, channels and barrels. Tony Griffiths sees it as a cost-effective alternative to the more sophisticated power-assisted winch sets: "Unibar fills a gap between these types of products and manual winches or hemp sets. It’s ideal for schools, colleges, sports halls, smaller

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14 March 2016

The Open Day will include presentations from a number of key speakers including representatives from PLASA, the DTI and IIR Exhibitions. The presentations will focus specifically on doing business in Russia, emphasizing changes in the business culture, the types of assistance that can be accessed, the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities available. The event will be a half-day session starting at 11.00am and concluding at 1.15pm with a buffet lunch to follow.

All interested parties are invit

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14 March 2016

Engineering specialists Stage Technologies are no stranger to enhancing high profile music tours with automation solutions having worked with artists such as Janet Jackson on her ‘All for You’ tour in America and Westlife’s ‘World of our own’ UK tour.

The elaborate centre stage production incorporates a similar design to the 200

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14 March 2016

The three-day event format ran for over three weeks, during which invited delegates were treated to a variety of experiences with the new cars being central to the presentation throughout. "Essentially," said Stage One’s Simon Wood, "the first day consisted of three distinct areas where delegates were treated to different aspects of the vehicles and entertained along the way."

The first of these was the Plenary area, where the company’s logo was displayed on the back wall behind a stage area with two lectern positions, a

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14 March 2016

ELP fixed over 150 lights including assorted Arri fre

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14 March 2016

The pharmaceutical giant’s NiQuitin brand will be displayed on the front and sides of their cars as well as on the sleeves of their drivers, Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. The new livery was on display at the recent San Marino Grand Prix in Imola - and the estimated value of the sponsorship is £9 million a year.

Blackout’s Chris Brain collaborated with PCI’s Richard Jarman to achieve a stunning effect in a tight

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14 March 2016

The draft standard describes recommended practices for lifting and transporting performers to create the illusion of flying or levitation in theatrical performances. Anyone that has an interest in flying effects with live performers is invited to review it and offer comments. Public review and comment is being sought so that the draft standard may reflect the consensus of informed opinion in the industry.

The standard is a project of the Rigging Working Group, part of the ANSI-accredited standards committee E1, Safety and Compatibility of Entertainment Technical Equipment and Practices.

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14 March 2016

Also noteworthy, though attracting less press attention, is the fact that this is the first new opera for both creator/composer Richard Thomas and the National Theatre, chosen by incoming National Theatre director, Nicholas Hytner, to premiere as his first production in the Lyttelton Theatre.

Lighting designer Rick Fisher was first involved with the show when it premiered at Edinburgh last year. The production h

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14 March 2016

Under contract to Lucas and Roberts, and on behalf of Granada Productions, a team of four specialists from ESS in the UK along with six locals set to work in mid-December last year. The build took place in a tropical rainforest near to the town of Murwillumbah just south of the border between Queensland and New South Wales and was finished by 15 January.

The crew were exposed to snakes, leeches, funnel web spiders and a host of other nasty creatures that never feature in Australian travel brochures. "The first thing that happened when we arrived

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14 March 2016

Managing director Maddy Sheals explained to reasons behind the move: "We took the decision to concentrate on staging and structures three years ago and our first move was to sell our sound division. As our core market sector has become increasingly complex and requires ongoing investment to remain at the top, we have now passed on management of the