Rigging / Staging

Details

14 March 2016

PLASA London is offering free four-day passes for attendees who register before Tuesday 1 July. The show, which has been a pivotal date on the international entertainment technology tradeshow calendar for more than three decades, will return to ExCeL London for the second consecutive year on Sunday 5 October until Wednesday 8 October.

Exciting developments to the show's format mean that the registration offer is just one of many visitor incentives for 2014, as PLASA's director of events, Christopher Toulmin explains: "Having relocated to ExCeL last year and enjoyed a very positive response from exhibitors and visitors alike, we have no intention of resting on our laurels. As an organisation we're always looking at ways of improving what we offer - this will

Details

14 March 2016

Rubber Box was asked to provide a variety of its bespoke power distros to Delta Sound - the pro audio company behind the impressive sound at both the opening and closing ceremonies of Sochi. Paul Bates, General Manager of Rubber Box, comments: "Having worked with sound giants Delta before, we knew how important it was to provide solutions that were robust and reliable, helping them to get on with the job they do best."

NBC studios also used Rubber Box equipment to help them broadcast from the games. Having discussed their requirements at length, Rubber Box supplied NBC with a variety of bespoke power distros which met their needs.

"The Olympics aren't the

Details

14 March 2016

This move will allow both entities to focus on their core activities in order to better service the marketplace. For Prolyte this means dedicated concentration on the manufacturing and sale of truss, staging and complementary products like the ProLyft hoists.

Dark Arches Holdings meanwhile remains an independent family-owned group and has identified synergistic opportunities in the three project businesses of Brilliant Stages, Litestructures Projects and Perry Scenic Creative alongside its studio and equipment services business, LS-Live, and the Backstage Academy training model in Wakefield.

As Lambert Bouwmeester, CEO Prolyte Group states: "As a result of this latest phase in the str

Details

14 March 2016

Available in iOS & Android format, the Track Pricer app offers an easy to follow and comprehensive method of creating detailed quotations for a vast array of track configurations in all Hall Stage systems. Once installed, a site survey can be turned in to a list of parts for order directly from your mobile phone or tablet.

The Track Pricer app features all manual & motorised options, including Chaindrive and Series 600 belt drive systems.

Simply by following a logical graphic menu and making a series of product selections, a full quotation can be prepared in seconds and emailed directly to clients - or the Hall Stage sales department

Details

14 March 2016

Originally planned for just 11 dates, it's now on the road for 34 in total, running until June 2014. Mojo Barriers has been contracted by Live Nation's promoter's rep Max Burnham from iBurnham Ltd, to provide the safety barriers for every date.

Kevin Thorborn, Mojo Barriers' UK general manager, comments: "Touring has always been an important market for Mojo Barriers internationally, and in the UK we've seen significant growth in the area this year, also winning contracts for Katy Perry, Justin Timber

Details

14 March 2016

Written by Harry Hill and Steve Brown, the Syco Entertainment production of I Can't Sing was a sadly short-lived musical parody of The X Factor (see our full production report in the May 2014 issue of LSi magazine), and demanded the kind of framework on stage never seen before in the West End, let alone the London Palladium. Although famed for its cavernou

Details

14 March 2016

Headquartered in Shanghai, the company is owned by one of the largest media conglomerates in China - The Shanghai Media and Entertainment Group. This flagship studio was originally built in about 1985 and was in dire need of refurbishment. Lighting and sound designer David Parry worked as consultant on the project and appointed Langdale Technical to handle the installation. The decision to use Van Damme cable was a popular one with the Chinese technical staff given its historical use in Abbey Road Studios.

Langdale Technical's Bill W

Details

14 March 2016

"This exciting new range received an amazing response in its prototype form and is now ready for market, opening up the possibility for highly innovative lighting design," said Mark Chorley. "We have full pricing information available and we will be showcasing a selection of H Frames and Drop Arm configurations on the stand. Any one of the Doughty Engineering staff on the stand will be happy to demonstrate the product and answer any questions" he said.

Doughty will also have a selection of its clamps and truss adaptors on display on the stand. All made from solid, high

Details

14 March 2016

The seven-figure investment spearheads Altrad's move into the entertainment sector via Altrad Beaver 84 Ltd, which operates from 12 UK locations. Star Events becomes a subsidiary of Altrad Beaver 84 but will stay based at its own Bedford premises.

Chairman Dr Mohed Altrad, whose philosophy is to create 'a collegiate group of companies, embracing their differences', says his group's financial commitment will not change the make-up of the successful Star Events team, or its methodology. The same philosophy has been applied to the six previous Altrad acquisitions in the UK.

Star Events' director, Roger Barrett, comments: "For some time now we have been aware of the need for substantial investment to en

Details

14 March 2016

Known principally as a solutions and rental company, Unusual Rigging is also the sales partner for several companies, including Lyon, the leading provider of equipment for work at height and distributor for companies such as Petzl, Maillon Rapide and Beal, all well respected names in the industry. As such, the range of PPE products now available to buy from Unusual Rigging has grown enormously, encompassing body harnesses, helmets, pulleys, waterproof and kit bags, gloves, hauling lines, karabiners, lanyards and ladders . . . the list goes on.

Also new to Unusual's products for sale is a range of high performance, rugged chain bags. Available in five sizes, they fit all the main chain hoist b

Details

14 March 2016

Sales teams from AC-ET's four specialist product divisions will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss the latest technologies from leading marques which AC-ET are the exclusive UK dealer for, as well as over 200 leading brands available for immediate despatch from the company's multi-million pound inventory.

After receiving an overwhelmingly positive response when showcased at another recent UK tradeshow, the AC-ET stand will feature models from the UK-exclusive Prolights line-up of lighting and effects products. The impressive lighting range features an extensive portfolio of product lines from a wide selection of LEDs, including Pars, battens, moving lights,

Details

14 March 2016

Designed to meet a 5:1 safety factor - 60% higher than competitive products - DL-Lite has a safe working load of 150Kg, with the Hall Stage quality guarantee and warranty to back it up. Featuring Laser-cut 3mm steel side plates - no light gauge pressed materials - the pulleys are fabricated from high grade materials and components to complement the standard Halls Dynaline 8:1 units, sharing the same comprehensive selection of fitting & fixing options.

Finished in Hall Stages' non-reflective and durable powdercoat, DL-Lite pulleys feature triple cable retainer guides to secure ropes in the sheave profile and are fully proof load tested & CE marked prior to shipping.

Avail

Details

14 March 2016

A platform to showcase fashion's future rising stars and known for launching careers of the likes of Stella McCartney and Julien MacDonald, this year's GFW attracted over 25,000 guests, hosted 20 catwalk shows and showcased over 40 talented universities.

The annual event, in its 23rd year, made the move to the edgier East End, deciding on the Old Truman Brewery as its new venue. Blackout's experienced rigging and draping team were called in to install two catwalk structures; one using ground supported truss and the other flown using 10 half ton motors.

"The two catwalks were held in completely difference spaces, Catwalk A was upstairs in a much lighter room with skylights and Catwalk B was located on the ground floor," explaine

Details

14 March 2016

The Temptation tour, which travelled from Wolverhampton Civic Hall and finished at The O2 Dublin in April, replaced cancelled shows from 2013 and showcased music from his Disc-Overy album and the more mature grime-pop sounds from his recent album Demonstration.

LS-Live welcomed the opportunity to work with Tinie Tempah and the team once again to design, build and modify the set at its arena-sized rehearsal unit. LS-Live designer Gaz Mallon worked closely with show designer Anthony Randall and production manager Phil Broad to ensure their creative vision was aptly brought to life for the relatively brief, but big-bite, tour.

Said Gaz, "They wanted to create the look of an underground, grimy car park, like those you find beneath city apartment block

Details

14 March 2016

But to ensure the venue could play host to the spectacular musical phenomenon, it needed a little assistance from the team at Unusual Rigging, specifically to make the grid of the King's compatible with the magnitude and distribution of suspension points required for the show.

Gavin Snelling, project manager at Unusual Rigging, said, "The main problem in staging Wicked at the King's Theatre was the overall weight of the show. The King's grid was not strong enough to provide the suspension points required and so Unusual was brought on board by Mike Jackson, ATG's external consulting engineer, to install an array of ste

Details

14 March 2016

TSL have decided to establish a separate rigging division to focus on a wide range of projects, requiring equipment rental, design and specification. TSL's MD Sam Tamplin commented, "We are glad to have Tim's experience and skill to add to our team and to focus on growing our capabilities in the rigging market."

Tim Roffey added, "I am excited to be involved with TSL, as they continue to expand as a brand and operation. TSL's commitment to investing in quality equipment and their high production values are smoothing I am proud to be associated with. I am looking forward to getting i

Details

14 March 2016

The company is headed by two industry professionals - Cristiano Giavedoni and Amedeo Guizzi. They bring many years of experience and a vast knowledge of the professional entertainment industry to the equation as well as their respective individual areas, plus imagination and an innovative approach.

Amedeo is a structural, mechanical and materials engineer with extensive experience working for high profile live entertainment projects. He is a skilled performer flying project & technical manager and has been technical director for numerous live shows and festivals.

Details

14 March 2016

Details

14 March 2016

Speaking of Mathew's appointment, Laurence Dyer, Doughty's UK sales representative, said, "In the short time that Mathew has been with us, we've already noted his great potential. He hit the ground running on day one and has demonstrated his excellent customer service skills, expertly dealing with some very challenging customer requests. Being a full time member of the export department, Mathew's skills and experience will allow me to focus on carrying out my customer facing role to greater effect, which will inevitably lead to a better experience for both new and existing clients."

Mathew, who was previously with K-Tech R

Details

14 March 2016

Over the last three years, Dirty Rigger have worked closely with one of the UK's largest crew service suppliers, Crewsaders. By sending in a selection of new, existing and under development rigger wear to be worn by the Crewsaders team, Dirty Rigger have been able to closely monitor the performance of their gloves throughout the varied industries in which Crewsaders work.

From event security to rigging crew, the trained Crewsaders staff have provided report sheets which help to pinpoint any weaknesses in the gloves and identify areas of possible improvement.

Dirty Rigger's Steve Ma

Details

14 March 2016

Brian Logan, Eve's divisional manager in the North, comments, "The breadth and depth of sporting events in Scotland this summer is unprecedented. It's hugely exciting to be involved, in and around Glasgow and at Gleneagles, alongside our traditional work."

The Ryder Cup, which pitches the cream of European golf talent against the United States, comes to Scotland in September, for the first time since 1973, and Eve has committed new trakway panels to the project.

Edward Kitson, match director, Ryder Cup Europe, comments, "We have had a very good working relationship with Eve, built up over years of service at the Scottish Open, so we know they always put an outstanding team on s

Details

14 March 2016

The range of complementary modular products was showcased on the Doughty stand and has been designed to allow designers to quickly create robust and professional lighting or scenic structures of varying drops and shapes.

Accepting the award from Olivier award winning actor Lesley Manville, Julian Chiverton, sales director of Doughty, said, "Until now, the Drop Arms, H Frames and T Bars have only been seen in prototype form. so we really weren't expecting to be in the running for this award. But feedback on the stand from lighting designers and others has been amazing and we're honoured that our new range has grabbed the attention of so many of our peers and industry exp

Details

14 March 2016

The racks are manufactured using extra thick steel and are powder coated. The units come with SES's new Digital meter and complemented with two LED rack lights which are new to the SES range. The racks are fully engraved to indicate all the outgoing functions and have the customers Logo, which is now a standard feature on all 19" racks where space allows.

(Jim Evans)

Details

14 March 2016

Utopium's hire and sales manager Ben Knowles commented, "It was great to work with the festival organisers putting together the full scale production to ensure it translated for every element of the event.

"It was also a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our new lighting technology live for the first time. We supplied six SGM X-5 LED Strobes, 12 Chauvet Legend 419 Washlights, 16 Chauvet 230 SR Beams and 18 Chauvet Nexus 4 x 4 panels, which allow f