The Week in Light & Sound
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Stage Invasion - The anti-media campaigner who interrupted SuRie's performance in the Eurovision final managed to invade the stage after climbing into the venue's camera run while being pursued by security. Organisers the European Broadcasting Union said the man - believed to be a so-called "philosopher, activist and DJ" who goes by the name of Dr ACactivism - made his way to the stage via a bridge.
"He climbed into the camera run and reached the main stage via the bridge, pursued by security," said a spokesman. "He was removed off stage after seven seconds and was questioned by police. We take security very seriously and an investigation into what happened is already underway." The man previously stormed the stage during the final of The Voice in 2017 and the National Television Awards in January this year.
Autism Friendly - The Prince Edward Theatre has become the first West End venue to receive an award from the National Autistic Society, honouring its efforts to welcome autistic audience members. Currently home to Aladdin, the theatre has won an Autism Friendly award from the society, recognising what the theatre does to make the experience more comfortable for people with autism, including training staff and adapting performances.
For Aladdin, dedicated autism-friendly performances include adapting the foyer to include quiet areas, adjustments to the performance itself – including reducing “jarring sounds” – and a specific website that helps people with autism prepare for their visit. Prince Edward Theatre general manager Graham Bradbury said the award reflected the “hard work, dedication and commitment to staff training” at the venue. The next autism-friendly performance of Aladdin will be held on August 28.
Hardcore Fans - A hardcore of 'superfans' buy more than two-thirds of all the vinyl records sold in the UK, according to new data. The Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) says these collectors fork out more than £400 every year, accounting for 72% of sales. With the average LP costing £20.31, superfans are each purchasing at least 19 albums.
The figure illustrates how niche the "vinyl revival" is, despite record-breaking sales over the last few years. In total, 4.1m vinyl albums were sold in 2017, the highest number since the 1990s. But the format only accounts for 3% of the total music market, and in 2015 a BBC/ICM poll found that almost half (48%) of the vinyl records people buy never get played.
Safe Space - A free fortnightly event designed to create a safe space for actors to relax and develop techniques to overcome stress and anxiety is being launched in the West End. Wellbeing for the Arts will be held at the Dominion Theatre on Wednesday mornings, starting on May 16.
The event will then continue every two weeks, with the aim of creating a “safe and open space for people in the arts industry to relax, learn tools to deal with stress management and align their mind and body”. The sessions are being led by Sian Willett, an events manager at the Dominion, and Tom Keeling, who runs health and wellness events.
In the Saleroom - George Harrison’s first electric guitar will be among the highlights of an upcoming two-day music auction 18-19 May in New York and online, Julien’s Auctions has announced. While the first day will solely focus on the belongings of the late musician Prince, who died in April 2016, the second day will include historic music items from George Harrison, Elvis Presley, and Bob Dylan, among others.
Harrison’s first electric guitar, a Hofner Club 40 that hasn’t been seen in public since 1966, is one of the most highly anticipated items. Harrison played the guitar in the early days of The Beatles when they performed around Liverpool as The Quarrymen, according to the auction house.
Harrison donated the electric guitar to a band competition during The Beatles’ 1966 German tour. A German musician won the competition and owned the guitar until he passed away in 2017. His widow offered the guitar for auction, Julien’s said. The guitar is estimated to fetch between US$200,000 and US$300,000.
(Jim Evans)
15 May 2018
