UK - Specialists in lighting, sound and power provision Pearce Hire was contracted to manage the temporary power requirements for Birmingham's National Day of Commemoration with a spectacular Victory Fireworks Fantasia and a stage set on the lake in Cannon Hill Park. Continuing work with Birmingham City Council, after successfully providing power in recent years for the Jubilee celebrations, New Years Eve events, Diwali and Centenary Square, Pearce Hire has become a regular provider to the City Council.
Over 15,000 people enjoyed the fine weather and music at Cannon Hill Park's Victory Fireworks Fantasia. Chaired by Nick Owen of Midlands Today, a fabulous 1940s-themed afternoon concert starred British favourites Max Bygraves OBE and Joan Regan, while extracts from the Rat Pack Live featured music from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior. Rousing the crowd the world renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra played Holst's The Planets as Cannon Hill Park was lit up with a spectacular fireworks display and finally filling the visitors with national pride as British flags were raised and Land of Hope and Glory brought proceedings to a close.
Pearce Hire supplied a twin synched pair of generators, distribution facilities, cabling and breakers for the occasion to produce enough power to supply the main stage including lighting, the PA system and the catering areas through the event and backstage. Two screens were positioned at either side of the stage projecting live feeds from the stage show to the audience allowing the music to be heard by a
UK - Summit Steel kicked off a hectic end of June and early July with SmarTmast mayhem on a huge variety of events and festivals.
SmarTmasts, a Summit designed and constructed product, have become hugely popular with PA companies, production and site managers for their rugged load bearing capacities, easy construction, elegant aesthetics and small footprint.
In Portsmouth for Mice International at the Trafalgar 200 event, Summit supplied eight SmarTmasts used as PA towers for Capital Sound. These were dotted all over the Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard site at various performance stages and screen sites.
For the Leeds Castle Summer Concerts in June and July and for Clear Channel 's Summer Nights in July at the same venue, Summit supplied two SmarTmast2s and four SmarTmast1s, for PA companies RG Jones and Major Tom. Summit is also providing Major Tom with a single delay Mast for the following weekend's "Summer Nights" events at Warwick Castle.
Four double SmarTmasts and two singles are being used by RG Jones as PA towers at Kenwood House in north London for IMG's Music on a Summer Evening series. These span all weekends throughout July and August.
There are two SmarTmasts at Somerset House for its initial series of summer concerts, featuring artists like Bloc Party, Super Furry Animals and Queens of the Stone Age. The client is the Somerset House Trust and the PA Company is Britannia Row
Summit also returns for the fourth year running to the picturesque location of Henley on Thames for the Henley Festival of Music and Arts, supplyin
UK - Summit Steel is supplying a 45-way Kinesys Elevation 1+ vari-speed automation and control system to the current Oasis stadium tour - as specified by lighting designer Andi Watson. It is the largest ever Kinesys Elevation variable speed chain hoist system used to date.
Lighting contractor PRG Birmingham, and account handler Robin Wain contracted Summit to supply the system which is being used to move 12 lighting 'Quads' customised frames each holding 4 MAC 2000 moving lights and lined with PixelLine LED battens on the top rail and DJ Flash rope. There are two motors per quad, and these glide seamlessly in and out and up and down to create different patterns and configurations - effectively making a constantly moving stage set.
There are four further moving trusses taking up thirteen points, each of varying lengths and containing a total of 12 Syncrolite SX 3KW moving lights. Upstage of these are another eight Elevation 1+ controlled hoists, lifting four 2.6 x 2.6 metre Barco D-lite 7 LED video screens, each weighing approx. 850 Kg.
The motors are all run off the Elevation system's proprietary Vector PC-based software; the automation operator is Andy Beller assisted by Toby Rouse.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Mojo Barriers has supplied the crowd barriers for all of the dates of U2's sold-out Vertigo World tour.
Mojo Barriers MD Patrick Jordan liaised with U2's Jake Berry from its Netherlands head office, to ensure the barrier design integrated into the U2 stage set to create a safe environment for both the band and their audiences. The tour started in San Diego (USA) where the Mojo Barriers US office supplied them with 130m of black powder-coated aluminium Mojo Barriers to go around the 'egg'-shaped walkway and to create a pen inside the 'egg'.
In Europe, Mojo Barriers supplied a total of 300m of its proprietary aluminium stage barriers for the outdoor shows. The U2 Vertigo outdoor stage has two 'bull horn' like thrusts on stage left and stage right and the Mojo Barriers followed the contour of these with its front of stage barrier. The company also provided a large curved secondary barrier. Mojo's Barrier's new Line-Up-Gates were also used on the U2 shows to regulate the people getting inside the secondary barrier.
Patrick Jordan, Mojo Barriers director, said: "We are very happy to be working with Jake Berry and his experienced crew once again and to be part again of a successful U2 world tour. After ZooTV, Zooropa, Popmart and Elevation this is the 5th time that Mojo Barriers have been chosen to be U2's supplier of barriers, Worldwide!"
When the show came into the UK, Mojo Barriers UK office managed the installation of the barriers in London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester. It supplied additional aluminium barriers for the two front-of-house mixing
USA - Tomcat has announced the dates of its 2006 Hoist & Rigging Workshop. The annual school includes workshops pertaining to hoist, rigging, truss, and fall protection taught by leading industry experts. Workshops will run over four days, from 1-4 March 2006, in Midland, Texas.
Making its second appearance after becoming a huge success among participants in the 2005 Workshop will be the Advanced Workshop. This two-day workshop covers a variety of interesting topics on hoist motors and truss design and is meant for those who have already completed Tomcat's four-day workshop and/or those with extensive experience working with motors and truss in the field. The advanced workshop is scheduled to take place from 3-4 March, also in Midland, Texas. Further information is available from the e-mail address below.
UK - Stagecraft, one of the UK's leading staging and live events companies, is celebrating a milestone of 25 years in business. The Salisbury-based company, which has achieved massive growth since completing its first year of trading in 1980, has been presented with numerous awards during its 25 years for commitment and dedication to the industry.
Stagecraft produces conferences and exhibitions, as well as providing equipment and technical support for corporate events, festivals, parties and meetings in the UK and abroad. Stagecraft Theatre Services supplies and installs equipment from all leading lighting and sound manufacturers to the educational, amateur and professional entertainment sectors.Managing director, David Goodrich commented: "It is incredible to think that 25 years has passed and I am proud to be part of an exciting and innovative industry . . . the trend has continued in the corporate sector where our clients now demand productions that rival a west end show."
The company has been responsible for the design, staging and organisation of numerous blue-chip international and national conferences and meetings. Stagecraft has also built up a strong reputation for its hire and sales departments through its work with schools, festivals and concerts throughout the South.
(Cheryl Constable)
UK - The 25th anniversary of the annual Mersey River Festival in Liverpool - celebrating the life, times and history of the city's river - benefited from additional investment and an injection of new ideas and enhanced production and entertainment elements this year. This included a massive increase in family facilities and children's activities, a fully equipped performance stage located at the Pier head site, which offered a diverse programme of artists throughout the three days and nights, plus large format building projections after dark.
It was the first year that the new events team from Liverpool Culture Company organized this event. "It was the 25th anniversary, 2005 is the 'Year of the Sea' and we wanted to refresh and revamp the event, make it more contemporary and broaden its appeal to a wider public than the traditional River Festival audience. We also wanted to increase the physical area" says Lee Forde, general manager of events for Liverpool Culture Company.
The result was that the Festival - staged in and around Liverpool's famous Waterfront - attracted more people, interest and interactive participation than ever before. All elements were free to the public.
The 12 x 13m Alpha stage was supplied by Essex-based SRC and the performance programme included country music, an international shanty festival concluding with Ned Skelly and his Swing Orchestra on the Sunday.
For the first time, the Pier Head site featured a huge 'bouncy' attraction area and continental market stalls, supplied by Geraed Markets, new water based activities were
UK - Serious Stages supplied a variety of stages, PA towers, roofing and decking elements at the 2005 Glastonbury Festival including to the Pyramid, Other Stage, Jazz World, East and West Dance stages, Roots and the John Peel Stage. Glastonbury 2005 has already been hailed as one of the most memorable, action packed and fun events for entertainment value, despite a violent thunderstorm and torrential rain for three hours on the Friday morning, which also rendered it one of the muddiest!
This year Glastonbury's famous Pyramid stage was flanked by two of Serious's new Goal Post PA towers, enabling SSE's Nexo Geo-T PA to be flown at a height of 60ft. The deck for the towers was two metres above the ground and each tower was ballasted by eight tonnes of concrete. This allowed SSE to angle the PA to throw right back across the hill. Pyramid highlights included headliners the White Stripes (Friday), Coldplay (Saturday) and Basement Jaxx (Sunday). The area was production managed by Dick Tee.
Serious supplied one of its newly designed 25m wide Space Roof Stages at the Other Stage, making it the largest stage on site in terms of usable area and cubic capacity. The stage Space Roof consisted of two 4.8m bays, one 2.4m bay and one 7.2m bay. One of the many features of this new product is its strength. Each arch is capable of taking a maximum distributed load capacity of nine tonnes, with the front cantilever arch supporting a distributed load of over six!
Accommodating several tones of lighting equipment for the event and on the Friday night, an additional six tonne LED w
UK - Automation specialists Kinesys has teamed up with cutting-edge product designers, Carallon, to develop a brand new motion control software solution - K2. The product will be officially launched at PLASA 2005, staged in Earls Court, 11 - 14 September. K2 is a ground-breaking motion control technology that is more powerful, logical, easy to operate and accurate than anything seen before say the company.
Kinesys initially approached Carallon to help realize K2 because: "Their pedigree is second to none" explains Dave Weatherhead The Carallon design team has extensive experience producing specialist entertainment industry hardware and software, including iconic products such as the WholeHog range of digital lighting consoles. The team's track record, combined with their energy and enthusiasm for K2, meant Kinesys knew they'd found the right partner with the right skills.
K2 features several innovative elements. Its ability to work with the actual moving items is central to the programming philosophy. Any item (prop, scenery, lighting truss etc), be it flown, tracked or revolved can be dealt with in terms of its own movement - rather than the movement of the devices that support it.
This flexibility hugely simplifies the communication between designer and programmer. A request like "tilt another five degrees" is programmed logically and practically as exactly that - rather than the more clumsy 'this winch up, this winch down, etc' as is so often the case.
In order to accomplish this radical method of operation, K2 provides 3D viewers so th
Uk - Blackout supplied three bespoke fibre-optic starcloths to exhibition expert Silver Knight Events, which are currently being deployed in London's Science Museum for its new pan-galactic interactive visitor experience -the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy Exhibition.
The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from Arthur Dent's kitchen to the far reaches of outer space. It brings to life the witty and satirical narrative of Douglas Adams' iconic story. Blackout's hire and sales co-ordinator, Nico Beukes, collaborated with Silver Knight's project manager, John Nearn, to ensure that the three bespoke drapes met his exacting specifications.
Designed in a range of sizes, the fibre-optic starcloths, measured 12.2m x 12.2m, four metres by one metre and three metres by four. They played an integral role in the rich set design, which combined over 200 original props, creatures and costumes that featured in the recently launched blockbuster movie.
Nearn commented: "Blackout's team were fantastic, they met our tight deadlines to fabricate the starcloth to our exacting specifications. It added to the magical inter-galactic experience and the overall success of the exhibition."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
USA - Tomcat USA is pleased to announce that Swing Wing received the award for Best Truss or Rigging Product at the recent AV Communications Excellence Awards Banquet, one of many events held in conjunction with InfoComm trade show. This is the second product award for Swing Wing since receiving the EDDY Award in 2003, say Tomcat. Tomcat USA CEO, John James said: "We constantly strive to create products that are innovative, but useful to the entertainment industry. This award is a great tribute to that mission. We are honoured."
From a stackable, self-contained transport position to a functional rigging position when flown, Swing Wing Truss is an intelligent pre-rig, say Tomcat. Designed to hold a wide variety of conventional and intelligent fixtures from the X.Spot and VL1000 ERS to the Martin 2000 and Studio Colors, Swing Wing accommodates virtually any fixture. Similar to Tomcat's Heavy Duty pre-rig in it's 30" X 30" form, the main cords are fabricated from 2" OD X 3/16" aluminum and the diagonals are fabricated from 1-1/2" OD X 1/8" aluminum. Swing Wing comes equipped with a steel spigot arrangement, supports up to 3 lamp bars and is available in 8ft and 10ft lengths. Recent tours with Swing Wing include Eminem, Janet Jackson, Creed, Dixie Chicks and Veggie Tales Live and Metallica.
(Lee Baldock)
Germany - The new VMK hoists (distributor: Think Abele of Nufringen) conforming to the BGV C1 standard are equipped with two independent noiseless brakes, an integrated realtime load measurement module capable of discerning the real load as well as the values for overload and slack chain, and a thermo sensor that continuously monitors the operating temperature of the motor. A friction clutch is not necessary for VMK hoists because of the principle upon which they operate, which allows uninterrupted closed linkage and a positive fit between the motor and the load.
The VMK hoists are equipped with high resolution incremental encoders that make it possible to position the hoist to within +/- 1 mm (in combination with V-Motion) permitting precise target runs with the highest degree of reproducible accuracy. Combined with the V-Motion controller modules, the VMK hoists can execute variable speed runs for path and time synchronized runs; whilst with the MPC 4IC1 controllers, fixed speed runs of up to 12 m/min are possible.
Used in conjunction with V-MOTION controllers, speeds from 0 to 29 m/min are possible - as a closed loop system with full torque even for runs over the zero point (reversal of the run direction without the intervention of the brakes). This is particularly useful in the theatre, as it makes it possible to perform complex changes of scenery smoothly, silently and without interruption say the company.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Stardraw.com recently announced that it has incorporated support for WebBrick technology from UK-based home automation products and solutions company O2M8 into its award-winning application, Stardraw Control.
Stardraw Control generates standalone, customized control programs that can manage and monitor any type of addressable equipment from any manufacturer using any protocol over any communications infrastructure. This approach frees systems integrators from closed or proprietary architectures and applications, offering instead the ability to create a single application that can control many different products with as much or as little complexity as the end user needs.
O2M8 Ltd is a UK-based company creating innovative smart home products and solutions using standard technologies and open source software to reduce costs and drive growth in the smart home industry. WebBrick is a web-enabled control and monitoring unit that incorporates a range of interfaces including eight configurable trigger inputs, eight TTL or open collector digital outputs, four digital monitor inputs, a multi-temperature sensor input bus, a rotary encoder input, an analogue input and two analogue outputs. A web server and network interface allow for easy configuration, control and monitoring by other nodes on the TCP/IP network. The WebBrick is now fully supported within Stardraw Control.
John Guyatt, O2M8 managing director, is enthusiastic about the development: "I'm excited about improving the user interface choices for WebBrick technology" he commented. "There is no
Germany - The V-Motion variable motion controllers from Movecat (distributor: Think Abele of Nufringen) are designed for use with the German manufacturer's VMK hoists, in which combination intelligent and safe variable-speed hoist systems complying with BGV C1 can be created. These versatile controllers can be configured for use with a variety of VMK hoists - the V-Motion 15 for drives rated at up to 1.5 kW and the V-Motion 30 for those rated at up to 3kW.
A large, backlit LCD displays the operating state (including the run direction, run speed, position and other operating parameters) of all the connected hoists. The main and safety processor monitors all functions. All the contactors and safety circuits needed to protect against overload and slack chain are integrated along with work limit switches and emergency shutdown systems. In addition, the execution of, and internal operating conditions resulting from, all run commands are continuously monitored and assessed.
V-Motion controllers support speeds of from 0 to 29 m/min - as a closed loop system with full torque even for runs over the zero point (reversal of the run direction without the intervention of the brakes). This removes all constraints on the implementation of path- and time-synchronized group and load runs as well as complex transformation sequences, such as those featured in modern studio, theatre and event productions, all of which can be realized without contravening safety regulations.
The clearly laid out user interface makes the configuration and use of the controller intuitive and simple.
UK - Mojo Barriers UK supplied all of the stage crowd barriers to the 2005 Download Festival at Donington. 50,000 heavy rock fans descended on Donington to 'rock out' to over 60 bands featuring Black Sabbath, Velvet Revolver, Slayer, Slipknot, Feeder and Garbage.
Mojo Barriers UK director Jim Gaffney managed the project and liaised with Clear Channel's festival manager John Probyn and site manager Andy Pearson to agree an effective barrier design to create a safe environment for the exuberant fans. Jim explained: "There a lot of factors to consider when deciding on the best barrier configuration for the show. We have done lots of shows at Donington, as has John (Probyn) so it was great working with someone who had some great ideas whilst listening to our advice. The music/audience type and slope of the ground (left to right) were the two over-riding factors in deciding on the central finger barrier for the main stage."
In all there was 360m of steel barriers on the main stage. The central finger barrier not only reduced side surges within the crowd, but it was extended around the front of house mixing position affording the production team (and mixing equipment) easy access throughout the festival. It also meant that Showsec's security team had easier access to assist the 'lively' crowd and proved popular with bands such as Velvet Revolver who used the finger to get off the stage and closer to their fans.
Jerry Millichip, who recently joined Mojo Barriers UK, team-managed the team of six on site through the event, ensuring the barriers were safe on al
UK - Vertigo Rigging has supplied the largest InMotion 3D / CyberHoist motion control system yet rigged in the UK, to provide special effects for the 50th anniversary production of the L'Oreal Color Trophy at London's Earls Court 2 arena on 16 May. The L'Oreal Colour Trophy, the most respected awards ceremony in the hair and fashion industry, tours the UK to find regional finalists before culminating in an exhilarating Grand Final in London. To mark its 50th anniversary, the production company that developed the event, Surrey-based CS Media staged a night to remember at Earls Court, with technical production management by MJK Productions.
The event included four hair shows (by hairdressers Charles Worthington, Antoinette Beenders, Trevor Sorbie and Toni & Guy), a three-course dinner, and an after-show party. The action took place on a main stage with an array of mobile and fixed video screens, a 77m long catwalk whose centre section flew into the air to reveal an ice rink, a second stage at the catwalk's far end with a flying reveal, and four long radiating trusses from which aerialists swooped over the seated audience.
Vertigo's involvement included the four main precision lifting elements, all flown from CyberHoist motors and tracked horizontally by a Stage Technologies winch system: the catwalk 'bridge', the flying aerialists, a pair of main stage 'reveals' (lifting two large boxes to reveal dancers), raising four giant video screens, and lifting a 5m gauze box over the 'B' stage as a dramatic entrance for a troupe of dancers. All the motors were under the con
Dave King of LTM (Lift, Turn, Move) was joined on stand by the industrious Adrian Forbes-Black of Columbus McKinnon, manufacturer of the Lodestar hoists which are a mainstay of LTM's services. Forbes-Black, who began working for Columbus McKinnon in the UK and Europe a little over two years ago, reports that CM has doubled sales of its entertainment hoists in that time. This was the first PALME for LTM, which was formed just last autumn, but King was having a worthwhile time nonetheless.
Penn Elcom, S+H Technical Support, Freestyle Music and Metalworx (the manufacturer of Penn trussing) joined forces with Middle East distributor IBS Decor - which also manufactures flightcases in Dubai. S+H has put down roots in the region, having had a Dubai office for 14 months. The company reports plenty of business for its plain drapes in the UAE, as well as for its own starcloth product. Coming soon is S+H's second generation of remote table pinspots, with DMX control capability, which will be of interest to event organizers everywhere.
UAE - During the PALME exhibition in Dubai, L&SI was invited to visit the premises of Production Technology LLC - better known as Protec. Protec is a world class event production company and the region's largest supplier of sound, lighting, AV, hydraulic and motor control equipment.
The latter elements are a particular area of Protec's strength, as a tour around its facilities reveals. Everywhere are the remnants of large-scale motorized set pieces, waiting to be called upon. There are set pieces purchased from the selling off of the Millennium Dome's contents; there are large, customized, articulated truss sections, huge spheres and steel and aluminium forms of all kinds of construction; it's like a giant's Meccano kit, with lots of bits that you can't get from the shops. There's enormous potential for creativity here.
Protec is owned by Stephen Lakin, the industry veteran who founded Gearhouse in 1988. Lakin purchased the VLPS Dubai office, along with its extensive moving light inventory, in 1999. Lakin, who has now lived and worked in Dubai for 12 years, has built a respected reputation among the region's wealthy elite clients. Protec's involvement with the launch event for the Lord Foster-designed Al Faisaliah tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia became the subject of a fascinating television documentary aired in the UK. For this massive project, working with lighting director Nick Jones, Protec dressed the tower with what became known as 'Lakin Battens' - custom-designed mountings which were bungee-strapped to the tower, with rubber-faced clamps to protect the buil
UK - Production manager Steve Rebbeck needed an automation system for the many and complicated scene changes in Billy Elliot the Musical, he turned to AVW Controls. Back in 2002, Rebbeck had specified AVW Controls' Impressario system to provide the automation for the intricate flying manoeuvres on Our House and was sure the system would be right for Billy Elliot. Meanwhile, Patrick Molony was looking for set automation that he could rely on for The Far Pavilions. Having previously used the Impressario system on horoughly Modern Millie, he too turned to AVW.
For The Far Pavilions, award winning set designer Lez Brotherston had to create sets which took the action from the snow-capped Himalayas to the hot and dusty deserts of Rajasthan. A raked triple concentric revolve - the three sections of which can move simultaneously, in different directions and at a different angle - is used to create the peaks of the Himalayas, while the lavish set also employs a total of 11 flying pieces.
Extensive use is also made of a revolve for the many scene changes in Billy Elliot. Here, another award winner designer, Ian MacNeil, takes the audience from Billy's home, through the demonstrations of the 1984 miners' strike and on to the stage of London's Royal Opera House. Billy's 4m tall house comes up through the stage's main trap door on a hydraulic lift, revolving - and, on occasions, with Billy dancing up and down the stairs - as it appears, so the control has to be absolutely smooth. Billy's bedroom is another device which appears through
UK - Theatre Royal Newcastle has been awarded training partner status with Stage Electrics. The award, say Stage Electrics, is in recognition of the Theatre Royal hosting and promoting industry specific training days to entertainment workers from all over the country.
In February this year the Theatre Royal hosted two days of intensive training workshops on behalf of Stage Electrics, which included courses on electricity at work and pyrotechnics safety awareness. As Brian Cleary, business development manager for Stage Electrics explains, support from organisations like the Theatre Royal is key to raising awareness across the industry of important health and safety issues. "We think it is very important to raise the standards within our industry and recognise the skills people have achieved."
He continues: "We have a wide range of courses on offer and it's great that we can use spaces like the Theatre Royal to provide people with practical experience inside a working theatre. The Theatre Royal is the first organisation in the country to be awarded training partner status and we have plans to introduce the scheme to other venues throughout the UK."
Nathan Reynard, chief electrician for the Theatre Royal said: "We are very proud to be associated with Stage Electrics as they have such a good reputation in the entertainments industry. The Theatre Royal is very supportive of training and development in the workplace and it is something we actively encourage within our own organisation. "We will be hosting many more workshops in the futur
UK - Stage Electrics is promoting new products from Prolyte, Apollo, Teclumen plus its own brand Encore at this week's ABTT show.
In March 2005 Stage Electrics was appointed UK distributor for Prolyte trussing, Stage Dex Staging and Prolyft chain hoists. Both Prolyte H30 and X30 trusses are light to medium duty and offer strength flexibility and compactness.
"The relationship with Prolyte has been a natural development for Stage Electrics. We have made a large investment in inventory but the wide range of products they offer and the quality of their manufacturing meant that it was an easy choice to make." said Adam Blaxill, head of purchasing at Stage Electrics.
Ed Gamble Business development manager Ed Gamble adds, "Customers have been extremely receptive to the Prolyte range, both the durability and the design features of the products make them intuitive to use."
Apollo colour scrollers are a new product to Stage Electrics, while Teclumen follow spots are also being promoted at the show. New to the Encore range is the Wingnut Spanner. Designed to be used on 10mm, 12mm, 17mm and 19mm wingnuts the spanner design also incorporates the added attraction of a bottle opener!
(Jim Evans)
UK - Lifting, and rigging sales specialists Lift-Turn-Move launches its new Equipchaine electromechanical chain lifting device into the UK at ABTT 2005. The device has been specifically designed for theatrical applications. The Equipchaine is an electromechanical chain lifting device that has been specifically designed for theatrical applications. Each device consists of several modular elements connected together to suit the structural environment. Several chain drop positions are linked by the same drive mechanism that can be used to lift lighting bars, stage sets and curtains of various lengths.
Equipchaine is appreciated by theatre consultants and architects throughout Europe; it has been installed in a diverse range of over 130 theatres and multi purpose spaces. Existing applications range from single to 40-device projects. Using simplifies any structural problems, as it fits into existing structures, allowing service spaces and back stage areas to be freed up from large lifting machinery, say LTM.
Equipchaine's lifting mechanism is fully integrated within its own slender truss structure - for easy fixing into existing spaces. The length of each Equipchaine corresponds almost exactly to the fly bars that it lifts. The forces transmitted to the supporting structure are all verticalEquipchaine is easy to install; it can be simply placed on a primary structure and moved manually. It also exists in a format integrating a system of trolleys - for quick and simple deployment of one or several Equipchaine units to the required position above a scenic space.
In ad
UK - Following the Muziektheater in Amsterdam, The Royal Opera House in London is the second theatre of international fame that has replaced all current fly bars, as part of the complete theatrical installation, for an installation based on the ProTrac system from Prolyte.Prolyte distributor White Light brought the two parties together after they were informed that the Royal Opera House was looking for a new fly bar installation.
A regular fly-bar does not have the required strength if the uniformly distributed load needs to be upgraded from 300kg to 500kg and the point load from 40kg to 150/200 kg. Therefore, the single round tube is often replaced with ladder beams, usually made from steel. ProTrac offers a better alternative than these steel ladder beams, being specially designed to meet the demands from a modern theatrical environment and the CE compliance for lifting equipment, say the company.
Prolyte says ProTrac is a combination of an aluminium extruded rectangular profile underneath which a round tube of 60mm or 48.3mm is attached. ProTrac is very flexible in use; several lengths can be easily combined and connected.
The system that is delivered to the Royal Opera House is based on the standard Pro Trac system, but uses a custom-made, high-grade aluminium extrusion to comply with the particular specifications of the theatre. The total installation comprises of 121 fly bars of 24m length, including suspension points, which is over 24 tons of aluminium! The fly bars were delivered in lengths of 12m, where they were coupled to obtain the total required le