India / UK - Navigator Systems, authors of the award winning rental management software, HireTrack Eclipse reports that they have extended their customer base to India, selling their software to Mumbai based Sound.com.

With nearly 1,000 different companies worldwide using HireTrack Eclipse, Navigator Systems, has been aware of the growing Indian professional production market, seeking a company like sound.com to help open up the market.

Director David Rose comments, "We are is delighted that this leading provider of professional concert sound and audio systems has recognised the reliability, robustness and ease of use of HireTrack Eclipse."

As well as being at the forefront of technology, Navigator Systems maintains its corporate responsibility with its'keep green' policy by regularly demonstrating their software over the internet using remote viewing systems and p

The Netherlands - Chief has announced a new suspended ceiling lift that claims to make installation up to 10 times faster than a conventional lift.

The SL220 features a quick three-step installation method that simplifies adding automation into an installation. It no longer requires two or more people to install; you only need one person and one ladder. No floor lift is required.

The lift measures 600 x 600 mm (2ftx2ft) to snap easily into ceiling grids and is made of lightweight aircraft-grade alluminium for easy handling. You can use this lift with any of Chief's popular projector mounts (RPA Elite or Mini Series). It will be shown at ISE 2011.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Theatre planning and design practice Fisher Dachs Associates has announced the opening of its new office in the UK. The Stratford-upon-Avon office joins FDA offices in New York City and Seattle, Washington, and will be led by Flip Tanner who comes to FDA directly from a 19-year career at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

Over the last nine years Tanner has been instrumental in developing both the temporary Courtyard and the permanent Royal Shakespeare Theatre for the RSC, where his work culminates when the company opens its new facility in January.

Joshua Dachs, FDA's principal, says: "I've known Flip for over 10 years and I've always been impressed by his incredible range of experience in the theatre. He also has the unique experience of sitting on the Client side of the table during intricate building projects at various scales. Further, the fact that he has a k

UK - The durability of VDC supplied cabling and live sound kit was put to the test by Placebo and LEE Engineering during a gruelling, two year world tour which came to a close last month - a test that it passed with flying colours. According to Ian Nelson, director at LEE Engineering and Placebo FOH engineer, the man who, with VDC, oversaw the specification and development of the tour's audio technical infrastructure, its performance and reliability was unparalleled.

He said: "When we came to pack away the kit after the last date in Brixton, Brandon Reece and myself just looked at each other in disbelief. I can honestly say that I have never seen a line system go more than four or five weeks without a problem cropping up, let alone two years, and I've been in this business for 15 years."

Niall Holden, MD at VDC Trading said: "It's always great when customers tak

USA - When plans took shape for the new Arthur Zankel Music Centre on the campus of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, J. R. Clancy was chosen to provide customized rigging.

The music centre's 600-seat Filene Ladd Concert Hall can accommodate performances of any size, from a single musician to a full orchestra and chorus. At the back of the stage, a three-story-high glass wall overlooks a nearby pond, adding visual interest and acoustical challenges. In addition, the hall can be scaled up or down in size for smaller and larger audiences.

To make the acoustical elements as variable and easy to manipulate as possible, J. R. Clancy provided seven motorized Patriarch tracks for front of house, and two motorized acoustical panel and lighting arrays onstage. Each 6000-pound array is lifted and tilted by custom line shaft hoists.

J. R. Clancy's SureTarget 10 rigging automati

UAE - RFW / SES reports that due to demand in the UAE region for their extensive range of power distribution products and accessories, they are having to re-locate to bigger premises.

Fragille Wade comments, "The demand for 'off the shelf product' has been incredible since we started the joint venture with SES, and we are having to stock more products to feed the insatiable appetite for quality product here in Dubai and other regions.

"This new facility within the Dubai Investment Park will also house our office, and will mean that all the stock will be under one roof making it easier for clients to collect at any time. With extended racking within the warehouse, we are able to stock more product and a wider variety, which our customers enjoy. Within easy reach of the Emirates Road and the Al Quoz industrial area, we can offer outstanding unrivalled service."

USA - The Class of 2005 ETCP Certified Riggers who passed the inaugural examinations came up for renewal this November, as certification is valid for five years. Two-hundred and seven Rigger-Arena and Rigger-Theatre certifications were awarded and 94% of these certifications have been renewed. Those who are in the Class of 2006 ETCP Certified Entertainment Electricians will come up for renewal in October of 2011.

Eddie Raymond, chair-elect, PLASA North America, commented on the renewal rate, "Among those who took the first round of ETCP Rigging Certification exams in 2005 were some of the very best and most experienced riggers in the US. The fact that 94% of those who passed have chosen to renew those certifications speaks to the value garnered by the programme in the ensuing years. Being recognized as a Certified Rigger by a testing body led by their peers has meaning to t

UK - PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011, taking place at The Royal Armouries, Leeds on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 April 2011, is near to sell out. 120 companies have confirmed they are exhibiting, leaving only a handful of stands now remaining for this popular event.

The success of PLASA Focus was confirmed by a record-breaking event earlier this year in April, which saw attendance top 1800 - an increase of 30% on the previous year. The event hosted 130 exhibitors, including 33 first-time exhibitors.

Show director Nicola Rowland said, "This is a hugely popular event and that's essentially down to the unique PLASA Focus ethos, which is to offer exhibitors a straight choice between shell scheme and truss, keeping the event affordable and hassle-free for exhibitors. It also means that visitors have the opportunity to meet more companies and to see the first UK showing of products laun

UK - Cooper Industries plc has announced the acquisitions of Mount Engineering plc, a UK based manufacturer of specialty threaded adaptors and reducers for harsh and hazardous environments, and Apex Lighting Controls, a private manufacturer of energy management lighting controls also based in the UK.

Mount Engineering specialises in the manufacture and supply of thread-converting adaptors and reducers that are "Ex Certified" for use in potentially explosive or hazardous areas. Additionally, Mount Engineering is engaged in the sale and distribution of industrial valves and actuators to the oil, gas, petrochemical and process industries throughout the world. Mount Engineering will become part of the Cooper Safety division of Cooper Industries.

Apex Lighting Controls delivers integrated lighting control systems and services to manage lighting and energy usage for commer

Spain - VMB has introduced a new lift to its pro series range.The new TE-086 is now the largest in the Pro Series of telescopic lifts, lifting 300kg (661lbs) to a height of 6.5m (21.3').

The addition of the TE-086 now means that the Spanish manufacturer offers 15 different lifting solutions from the Classic, Pro and TL Series of lifters.

Like all pro series lifts the TE-086 includes ALS safety features, is BGV-C1 certified and is available in black or silver finish.

(Jim Evans)

Qatar - Dubai based Al Laith Event Services built the 2000 capacity Open Air Theatre - and main hub - for the 2010 Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) on the esplanade at Katara, Doha.

The impressive architecture of the temporary structure featured 14 large arches, the largest at 85m wide and 26m high. It had an overall weight loading capacity of approximately 100 tonnes and was designed by Jeremy Thom, production designer for the DTFF event.

In addition to the seating tribunes (also supplied by Al Laith), it also housed the 23m wide screen, a full orchestra stage, several technical areas for sound, lighting and projection and backstage facilities like dressing and green rooms. The project was managed for Al Laith by Jo Marshall.

The complex and demanding brief for the structure required it to be capable of hosting a world premier screening; to accommodate the 88 piece Qatar P

UK - Truss rarely enjoys a celebration of form over function, but there's always the exception . . . The set of the National Theatre's current production of Hamlet, staged at the Olivier Theatre, on London's South Bank.

In plain sight on the stage sits a framework of truss comprising three six-metre towers per side, supporting 12.5 metre stretches of Thomas 30.5cm box truss. Set designer Vicki Mortimer wanted to create a stark and oppressive space for the production's media-driven surveillance state of Elsinore, where the themes of duplicity and the paranoia of always being watched are brought to the fore.

She explains: "We were looking for a containing structure which would communicate layers of meaning to the audience including an acknowledgment of the theatrical metaphors in Hamlet, and establish most particularly the constraints of a society designed to

USA - When the acoustical tiles became frozen in place in Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Centre for the Arts, theatre consultants Westlake, Reed, Leskosky turned to J. R. Clancy.

The 2,400-seat Whitney Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, is the heart of the arts centre, presenting a full range of performances year-round: touring Broadway shows, productions by the Kentucky Opera and the Louisville Ballet, and concerts by the Louisville Symphony Orchestra.

To accommodate the acoustical requirements of so many different groups, Whitney Hall's ceiling includes wooden acoustical tiles that can be repositioned to adjust the sound quality. Recently, however, the hydraulic hoists that control these tiles have become stuck in place, so house acousticians can no longer adjust the house to improve the sound.

J. R. Clancy will replace the hall's original hydraulic hoist system - installed when

UK - For a limited time, LSI Online has slashed the price of over 130 titles in the Technical Book shop, with many books discounted by as much as 50%!

To take advantage of this offer, head over to the Technical Bookshop now or contact Sheila Bartholomew at Sheila@plasa.org or on +44 (0)1323 524137 for more information.

Offers are subject to availability and strictly while stocks last.

(Claire Beeson)

South Africa / UAE - Johannesburg based In2Structures - part of the Gearhouse South Africa Group of Companies - has sold one of its Supa (SP) Dome structures to Abu Dhabi based Flash Entertainment LLC.

The eight-bay 84mlong by 36m wide SupaDome structure is known as the Flash Forum and will provide a multi-purpose venue with up to 5000 capacity on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for at least the next three years.

The first event staged in the Flash Forum took place during the weekend of the final race of the 2010 Formula 1 Championship, when it was managed by Beirut club, Skybar.

(Jim Evans)

UAE - Dubai-based Al Laith Event Services supplied a substantial steel stage and roofing system for the Formula 1 Championship Abu Dhabi's after event concerts at Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. These were headlined by Kanye West, Linkin Park and Prince respectively, and attended by capacity audiences of 40,000.

Working for event producers Flash, Al Laith also designed and built all of the relevant and related production metalwork infrastructure needed on site including an extensive FOH mix area, side screen supports and wide wings, delay and spot towers, wheelchair access platforms, as well as all the Mojo barriers and even the concession stand framework.

Flash was promoting the entire 'Yasalam' weekend of F1 connected events in and around the city, which included appearances by 64 leading international artists across several venues. The project was managed for Al Laith

The Netherlands - ShowTex Netherlands manufactured and installed all stage draperies and tracks to finish off the total renovation of the historic DeLaMar theater in Amsterdam. Opening this month, the extensive construction was made possible by the VandenEnde foundation.

Performances in the 950 seat theatre and 600 seat capacity hall will range from classical theatre to musicals, cabaret, and comedy. The cultural venue will also house a specially commissioned photography collection with works from prominent photographers like Koos Breukel, Hans Eijkelboom, Cuny Jansen, Erwin Olaf, Viviane Sassen, and Rineke Dijkstra.

The grand drapes for both of the theatre's stages were created from ShowTex's Gaudi Mohair Velvet velour sewn into Wagner curtains that part in the middle to reveal the stage, instead of being raised or lowered.

All acoustic drapes, borders, legs, and stage skir

UK - The Arena Group supported the tournament organisers in transforming the O2 Arena into a tennis heaven this November providing a range of temporary events overlay and interior design, including a new Fan Zone, hospitality and media structures and courtside bespoke media boxes for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

This was the second year of a five year contract for which Arena Structures project manager Daniel Bluff and Arena Seating special structures commercial director Martin Clark worked alongside clients ATP, drawing on their experience from last year and expanding the events temporary overlay and hospitality offering.

The Group extended the facilities to include a Fan Zone which comprised of a 40m x 50m TFS structure housing two practice tennis courts and 400 tiered seats to expand the visitor experience and enhance the value of the sought after tickets.This led in

UK - 5 Star Cases is mid-way through the supply of a large amount of cases - currently around the 1000 mark and set to double - to AV rental and staging company, Central Presentations (CPL), with bases in Birmingham and Bristol.

CPL has been using 5 Star for its case requirements since late 2006, and is currently in the process of replacing all its existing road cases for both locations with new cases and ensuring that every piece of equipment - from the largest, including Barco FLM projectors, Sony HXC100 camera channels and Grass Valley HD PPU to single hand-bag sized microphones - has a new case.

All the new cases are finished in a striking red high pressure laminate and range from lightweight briefcase styles right up to large tour grade trunks.

Over 1000 cases have already been delivered by 5 Star to CPL which has nearly completed the re-casing project for the Birmingha

USA - Staging Concepts has announced a new addition to its line of performance products - the rolling and folding SC Choral Riser. The versatile SC Choral Riser can be arranged in either straight or half-round configurations and will create "an ideal performance environment at a moment's notice with its easy set up and mobility". Because of a lift assist, the SC Choral Riser can be unfolded into a performance configuration and folded to its storage position by just one person, no tools required.

The user-friendly 3-tier SC Choral Riser is designed for use in any performance setting. When set up, the riser's dimensions are 6ft wide by 56 inches deep; when folded for storage, the riser measures at only 2ft wide. Constructed of aluminium, the SC Choral Riser is lightweight and durable with a variety of surface options including black polypropylene (poly vinyl), carpet, un

UK - Structural aluminium systems specialists, Litestructures, (now part of the Prolyte Group) were recently commissioned by Sony's creative agencies, PD3 and Engage Production to create a new experience at Heathrow airport's new T5.

The experience brings to life Sony's new global strap line, make.believe and presents Sony as an entertainment brand to the visitors of T5. The interior of the helix structure that was built by Litestructures is made up of 22 screens. Powered by Sony technology, they display a bespoke 360-degree film journey that mixes filmed footage of the airport with created animation and Sony content.

The film transports passengers through the roof of T5, past the London skyline and the surrounding countryside, and then into a hyper-real galaxy. Once in space, the make.believe 'dots' explode into film, game and music content all from the family of Sony

USA - All three ETCP examinations will be given at USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Charlotte, NC. The entertainment electrician exam is scheduled for Friday, 11 March 11; the arena rigging exam is to be given the morning of Saturday, 12 March and the theatre rigging exam is scheduled for that afternoon.

Candidates who wish to take multiple exams will receive a discount for the second exam. Interested applicants must submit their application, along with supporting materials and fee, to the ETCP office no later than 10 February 2011.

Candidate information, including eligibility requirements and applications, is available on the ETCP website (http://etcp.esta.org).

Additionally, Rigging examinations are given daily at over 190 computer based testing centres across the US and Canada.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Trussing specialist Milos UK has designed, manufactured and installed a super-grid with three moving sub-grids, a pile winding winch movement system and a full set of blackout drapes for Milton Studio One on the campus of the University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

The venue is a magnificent Grade II listed theatre space within a former Methodist Church, now part of The Milton Building and home to the University's Drama, Theatre & Performance department.

Milos was one of eight companies invited to tender for the project by David Wainwright, senior technician and manager of resources for drama, theatre & performance.

Studio One is used extensively by the University's BA Honours in Drama and its Technical Theatre Foundation Degree courses, as well as for numerous visiting productions, and as a learning resource for other departments across the university.

The facili

USA - When did the theatre industry move from hemp to counterweights? Who invented the sophisticated automatic release system for fire curtains? What did the first computerized rigging control system look like?

These and many other questions are answered in the catalogues of rigging products published by J. R. Clancy throughout its 125-year history. Members of USITT soon will be able to see digital files of every page of these catalogues, beginning with the first from 1886.

In celebration of J.R. Clancy's 125th anniversary year, the company has scanned and digitized all the pages and cover of every catalogue. J. R. Clancy has provided access to these digital files to USITT in acknowledgement of the company's 45-plus years as a member of this organization. These files are available to educators, students, faculty members and other researchers with a serious interest in the hist

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