The Week in Light & Sound
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MP for Colchester, Quince raised the issue in the House of Commons last week. He said: “Some may ask: Why shouldn’t theatres and other performance venues play their part in saving the environment? Well, the theatre and entertainment industry do want to play their part, they fully support the sustainability agenda and are taking steps day by day to improve their environmental standards, however introducing these regulations without having an exemption in place will have a serious negative impact across European entertainment industries. This would far outweigh the positive intention behind these proposals.”
Quince told MPs that the total cost of replacing lighting fixtures, if the regulations were introduced, would be an estimated £1.2 billion to the UK theatre industry. He added: “The introduction of these proposals would stifle innovation and as a result we would be left with little more than harsh, unflattering floodlights with which to light our productions. The technical problems with LED lighting would severely affect the artistic quality of the performances. The richness in lighting for a live event lies in the diversity of light sources, colours and intensity. Without it our world-famous productions would be left flat.”
School Building - Arts Educational Schools in London has been granted planning permission for a £12m redevelopment. The project will see a new studio theatre built at the drama school’s Chiswick home, as well as additional rehearsal and teaching spaces. Principal Chris Hocking said: “We are delighted to be able to move forwards with our refurbishment plans and provide our students with facilities that match the exceptional quality of our teaching – ensuring that future generations continue to leave ArtsEd as outstandingly confident and creative young performers.”
Goodbye - Boyzone have announced that they are splitting up, 25 years after forming as a band. Put together by music producer and former X Factor judge Louis Walsh in 1993, the Irish boyband had six UK number one hits. A statement on their website from current members Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Michael ‘Mikey’ Graham thanked fans for their support and said they would be saying goodbye with a final album and farewell tour.
Farewell - DJ Fontana, the last surviving member of Elvis Presley's band, has died at the age of 87. The drummer, whose full name was Dominic Joseph Fontana, played on more than 450 Elvis songs, including Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock. He also featured on Elvis's legendary 1968 TV show, which has become known as the 68 Comeback Special.
Fontana eventually left the band in 1969 over a pay dispute with the star's manager Colonel Parker. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2009 and joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later that year in the sideman category.
(Jim Evans)
19 June 2018
