Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

No Show - Lady Gaga has cancelled a concert in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, citing security concerns after protests by religious groups. The s

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14 March 2016

'The Rig' is a charitable organisation currently managed by Jason Robbins. It was originally set up in 2000 by parents of a local scout involved in the lighting and sound industry to help his group weather financial difficulties, and started off running local discos with some scouts on the crew.

Since then things have grown considerably. A team of 10 regular volunteers and others enable The Rig Scout Active Support Unit to provide a full range of technical production services for stage shows and events, in the process helping to support all scouting activities in the Huddersfield North District.

Robbins approached 5 Star's Keith Sykes - initially at the PLASA 2011 exhibition - aski

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14 March 2016

Triple E says it believes that its latest version offers significant advantages over the original design. Simpler mechanics and an improved slat design have reduced weight, and enabled a much smaller stacking distance. The new design incorporates an enclosure for both the lifting system and the stacked fabric with the bottom tray forming a closing panel.

"Our new variable acoustic system, Varibanner is the result of 15 years of experience in designing products that not only absorb sound but are also visually and architecturally pleasing," says David Edelstein, managing director at Triple E. "We're hugely excited to be introducing the industry to our new version at ABTT, which confirms our edge in this market."

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14 March 2016

The next two General Technical & Vector Control training courses will take place on 13 & 14 June and 11 & 12 July respectively. For full details, please visit the Kinesys website: www.kinesys.co.uk

The training provides both theoretical and practical tuition covering the fundamentals of Kinesys' innovative motion control systems under the banner Technical and Vector control.

It will be held at Kinesys' new dedicated training facility at the company's HQ in Hampton, Middlesex. This includes a special classroom set up with individual computers allowing attendees to work at their own pace, and a full practical training rig.

These latest courses, co-ordinated by Kinesys' training manager Andy Hicks,

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14 March 2016

Confirming that the PLASA Rigging Conference maintains a truly international profile, this year's key-note speaker, Roy Bickel, one of the original 'Disney Riggers' from the USA is followed by speakers from both sides of the globe.

Looking at Ground Supported Structures will be Malcolm Richards, a chartered structural engineer with extensive experience in all forms of entertainment industry structures. Supported by a panel representing manufacturers, suppliers, consultants and designers, Richards will be looking closely at the safety and science of the ground supported structure especially in the light of last year's tragic events, both in Indiana and in Europe.

New Zealand rigger and structural engineer, Nick Barnf

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14 March 2016

Since Rick Wilson, Harold Berlinski and Karen Haddon set up Le Maitre back in the '70s, the company has gone from strength to strength to become a global leader in its field of pyrotechnics and special effects.

"We've over 500 state-of-the-art products including the renowned PyroFlash and ProStageII ranges and we continue to bring out cutting-edge products. This year will be no exception with a stunning new range of pyro shortly to hit the scene as well as an exciting new development on the haze front later this year - watch this space," says Wilson.

"I'm delighted to be able to say that our product sales are greater than they have ever been. We have grown our distributor net

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14 March 2016

During the finale of the pageant, HMS Belfast fired two volleys from the turret guns to close the pageant.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The Acoustic Baffle from ShowTex proves ecology and noise level control can go hand in hand, says the company. The new acoustic fabric panels are made from 100% recycled material compressed together to optimize sound conditions. The flame retardant Acoustic Baffle comes in two sizes (2m long and 3 m long) and can be installed modularly for extra flexibility.

By combining the two standard formats, nearly any height or area can be covered. The Acoustic Baffle can be installed as a ceiling lining or around curves and corners. Custom formats and /or colours are available by request. The panels are finished off with Velcro for connecting together easily and can be used for temporary and fixed installations.

The Acoustic Baffle from ShowTe

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14 March 2016

A high performance dance and stage floor with the advantage of a 'print receptive' surface. CODA's construction allows for high resolution custom designs to be overprinted to meet a set designer's specification.

Durability in manufacture has been key, CODA is designed to tour as well as fixed for installations. This performance stage floor can be rolled out, used re-rolled, shipped, stored and still look great for the next show!

September 2012 will see Le Mark Group celebrate 30 years of innovative product design. The Le Mark team of Leanne Baker and Steve Marshall will be on Stand 22 at the ABTT show.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

ShowTex is a corporate supporter of the Theatres Trust and will sponsor the conference this year for the second time. According to ShowTex marketing manager Jessica Ballenger, "Our focus is shifting more and more towards products that take environmental impact into account as well as durable investments vs. sho

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14 March 2016

The assignment has seen a 240m length of wall, extending to a height of more than seven metres, clad in black wool serge. It means the highly popular exhibition venue is able to mask the original brickwork, which was in a variety of colours, in addition to assorted electrical trunking, cables and piping.

As well as tackling the work in the venue's 3,100sq.m Hall 1, Thorns' team is also due to clean and repair similar fabric that has been in place for a number of years in neighbouring Hall 2, which measures 4,500sq.m.

The latest project has been tackled by the group's Classic Technical Services division, which is a leading supplier of lighting, electrics, theming, set design, audio visuals and sound syst

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14 March 2016

Kris Sparrow, a young entrepreneur from Manchester, is one of 500 finalists in a BBC competition and decided to stage a festival as part of the next challenge. He turned to LS-Live Backstage Academy and STS Touring Productions to provide advice, training and production support for the event, which showcased the city's finest unsigned artists and talent.

Said Sparrow, "I love music but I had never organised a festival before and I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone because you have to challenge yourself.

"I'm so grateful to all the sponsors that offered to support me in my mission. The festival production would not have come together without them and their guidance has been invaluable."

LS-Live suppl

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14 March 2016

Just weeks before, Bucharest based Standard Vision SRL, decided that the solution for a series of concerts they are organising, would be a Prolyte LT Roof system.

Standard Vion is a communication agency that covers a complete spectrum, supporting their customers from concept to creation with promotional material to organising live events, like outdoor concerts.

Once they had decided to buy a Prolyte Roof system, the appointed head rigger flew in to Leek, to discuss the rigging and above all, loading capacity needs with Ivo Mulder, senior brand engineer Prolyte Structures.

Knowing the set of Linkin Park would be one of the largest and heaviest to accommodate, this was a benchmark case for the LT roof. After calulations proved that this,

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14 March 2016

Debuting at ABTT (stand 35) is Doughty's 35mm Atom clamp, a "perfect fit for 35mm speaker stands". The smallest of Doughty's clamp range, Atom clamps are slotted to hold captive a nut or bolt head, have a SWL of 100kg and are suitable for lightweight truss as well as the majority of stands.

New additions to the Doughty catalogue are Reutlinger Cable Holders. Available in two different sizes to suspend loads of up to 130kg and up to 330kg on steel cables (wire rope), these cable holders have been specifically designed for applications which demand compliance with BGV C1 accident prevention rules.

Also being seen at ABTT for the first time is Doughty's all steel Beam Clamp which, with a wide adjustment range of up to 200mm, make

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14 March 2016

Triple E - respected for the kind of engineering expertise that enables inspired and dynamic scenic design - has released its upgraded TRA06, which works seamlessly with older versions of the product and with the company's industry standard Unibeam and Unitrack systems. It comes in two or four-wheeled (for curved tracks) versions and is built to carry a curtain or scenic cloth to a safe working load of 25Kg.

The latest version of the TRA06 features flanged ball-raced wheels, with Polyurethane tyres, fastened to a moulded 'U' shaped body. The body is manufactured from a tough, metal replacement, Polymer. A welcome design modification is that the curtain attachment now features a rotating swivel, which ensures that the curtain stacks more evenly..

Triple E managin

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14 March 2016

High density knuckle padding and finger guards to protect against impact, combined with micro perforated inner fingers to help keep your hands cool even in the toughest of environments.

The SRT is a result of collaboration between Dirty Rigger and nationally recognised crew service suppliers Crewsaders.

Designed to withstand vigorous manual labour in all weather conditions, be comfortable, look good, comply with relevant EN specifications and most importantly of all, be affordable enough to be used in high volume, says the company.

Crewsaders health and safety director Pat Fellows says, "Seventy per cent of our onsite injuries are to hands. I am confident that being h

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14 March 2016

Submissions can range from the simplest problem-solving product to unusual or complex uses of technology to projects that highlight the collaborative nature of our industry. If you've seen something that's impressed you in the last year, now is your chance to tell the world. It could be a piece of equipment you worked with, something you saw at a trade show, read about in an industry magazine, or an event you experienced. It could also be something your com

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14 March 2016

The first line of Trusst is 12" (290mm) square truss that utilizes a conical connector system, that easily mates with other major brands of truss of the same size and connector style. Trusst offers modular components that combine to create nearly limitless configurations and increase design flexibility.

Built for convenience and ease of use, Trusst is available in six different lengths and seven types of corners. For added stability, base plates are available in four sizes while easy-to-install

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14 March 2016

The stage, which was being set up for the final show on the North American leg of Radiohead's world tour, collapsed at 4.00pm local time, around one hour before the gates were due to open, killing 33-year-old Scott Johnson, a British drum tech who was working on the stage at the time.

Of the three people injured, a 45-year-old male suffered head injuries, but these were reportedly not life threatening. The two others were less seriously injured and were treated at the scene.

A message on the Radiohead website says: "We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague. He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny, a

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14 March 2016

Yann KOZIOL, ESL's purchasing manager, says: "This is a great opportunity for ESL to extend our range with the addition of high quality VMB products. The value for money is also very interesting with the VMB range and the product is already very well received in the market."

ESL president Alain Cornevaux adds: "The partnership between VMB and ESL is an exciting challenge and completes our strategy of distribution of quality products."

VMB's export manager Ben Sinclair comments: "ESL's reputation in the French market is well established and it was an obvious choice to hand them the distribution of VMB. We have always had a stron

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14 March 2016

With judging taking place throughout the day and final decisions made late in the afternoon, winners were presented with their hook-clamp trophies in the Truman Brewery's Corbet Place Bar, in front of exhibitors, guests and ABTT members. The winners are as follows:

ABTT 2012 Theatre Show Engineering Product of the Year: Metool Reels - Multicore Contactless Reeler.

Judges' comments: "We are pleased to find a method of feeding multicores on a drum that does not use slip rings. The panel was impressed by the tool-less cable installation and ability to run Ethernet on a cable reeler."

Eric Marks-Oldham, sales di

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14 March 2016

Of particular interest was Doughty's new Follow Spot Mount, specifically designed to enable a follow spot to be firmly positioned on a rail and give an exceptionally smooth movement. With rotation of a full 360 degrees, the Follow Spot Mount, which has a low friction plate to ensure an easy, smooth movement, complements Doughty's existing Follow Spot stands, stand tops and spigot. Like all Doughty branded products, it is engineered in the company's own factory in Ringwood, Hampshire.

Also on show at ABTT was Doughty's Studio Rail walk along track kits, a neat and inexpensive solution for schoo

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14 March 2016

"PLASA extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Scott Johnson and our fervent hopes for the speedy recovery of those who were injured in the stage collapse in Toronto over the weekend.

"It has been the mission of PLASA's Technical Standards Program since its inception in 1994 to make the industry a safer place to work through the development of Technical Standards. As part of that program, ANSI E1.21 - 2006, Temporary Ground-Supported Overhead Structures Used To Cover Stage Areas and Support Equipment in the Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events was first released in 2006.

"Since the tragic accident in Indianapolis last summer, PLASA has focused on making the industry and governmental authoriti

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14 March 2016

A number of groups have been looking at this problem recently, to try to find a solution; generally, these have relied upon using fixtures and fittings in the lighting grid, so would only be applicable in theatres having those items.

Aluminium Access Products (AAP) recently asked for a meeting with the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and outlined two possible methods for such a rescue. Both methods require adjustments/additions to the Tallescope but, once applied, can remain fitted during storage and use, so will always be there should they be required. Crucially, neither method relies on