These speakers will be complemented by a number of international players - including Himanshu Burte from India, Sergio Pascolo from Italy, Martien van Goor, Louis Janssen and Gerbrand Borgdorff from the Netherlands, Gerry van Hezewyk from Canada and Duncan Webb, John Coyne and Peter Rosenbaum from the US. Representatives from many other countries will be involved in the debates and discussions about the form of auditoria, backstage facilities, uncomplicated spaces for drama, and theatre building on a budget. Present booking from overseas represents more than 50% of the delegates, the organizers report.
Major buildings such as the Wales Millennium Centre, the Esplanade in Singapore and the new Copenhagen Opera House will also be examined, in order to understand the ideas behind their planning, auditorium form and selection of equipment. Focused sessions on the design of the proscenium and of the orchestra pit will include acousticians Rob Harris and Nick Edwards, as well as lighting designer Rick Fisher and sound and set designers.
The range of currently-available power flying equipment will be reviewed by Mark Ager of Stage Technologies, Reind Brackman of Trekwerk, Charles Haines of Hall Stage and Herbert Tober from Waagner-Biro. Other technical subjects include the development of the grid and fly tower with consultant Clive Odom and structural engineer Oliver Plunkett, and the importance of maintenance, where Mark Priestly and Eric Rouse will speak about their experiences and Bill Sapsis will report on some of the failures he has seen in the US. An update on the work towards a possible European Standard for lifting equipment on stages will be provided by Olle Södeberg from Sweden and John Ketchell, Director of CEN/ISSS in Brussels.
Amongst the 30 sessions on offer to delegates is an examination of the duties of the client and consultant in starting a project in the right way, led by David Staples, and an analysis of stage floor constructions by flooring specialist, Bob Dagger of Harlequin and Peter Ross of Arup, with Adam Huggard reporting on the research being carried out in the US on dancer injuries.
The planning and facilities necessary to help a concert hall or conference centre augment its income with dance, drama or opera presentations will be examined by consultants Alan Russell and Steve Roberts, and David Wilmore, Peter Longman, Barry Pritchard and others will consider what the liberties we should take with historic theatres to make them more suitable for current productions and modern audiences.
These and presentations on the cost of running performing arts buildings, and debates on factors in their success, including an update on a study currently being carried out by Cambridge University, are typical of the wide range of important topics offered in London between 11-13 June 2006.
Those interested in attending the Conference can visit the web address below and book on-line to obtain a £10 discount.
(Lee Baldock)
