Set-exchange was set up by lighting designer and production electrician Peter Harrison. He told The Stage, "The idea came from me working with some of the small companies as well as the big companies and seeing waste in one and scrimping and saving from the other, so it came out of trying to share resources."
Set-exchange is structured along the same lines as free recycling website Freecycle. It features a message board on which production managers can post information about their available items. Other member companies can then offer to take the items free of charge, although they must arrange for collection and transport from the original venue. Harrison will be moderating the site for any inappropriate adverts.
The website states that users are free to post anything "as long as it is yours to give away, as long as it's legal and as long as it's free".
Look out for the June issue of LSi for more on sustainable practices in theatre & event production.
Duran Postpone - Duran Duran have cancelled the remaining dates on their UK tour after singer Simon Le Bon was told to rest his voice while he is treated for ongoing throat problems. The dates in Bournemouth, Cardiff, Manchester and Sheffield are to be rescheduled and the band have advised fans to hold on to tickets. Duran Duran have already postponed gigs in London, Newcastle and Brighton.
In a statement on the band's offical website, Le Bon wrote: "I know how difficult this has been for all of the fans, as we've been postponing shows with very little notice, in the hope each day that the improvement would have been significant enough for me to sing again without risking any long-term damage . . . I am now focussing on getting back for Berlin - which is on June 8th."
(Jim Evans)
