LATEST ISSUE

As 2020 draws to a close (no doubt a relief for many of us!), we continue to detail the productions and technology that have managed to forge ahead despite adversity. Our cover story this month concerns Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s recent spectacular al fresco performance on the steps of a beautiful Sicilian cathedral. We also visit the National Theatre, where Rob Halliday learns how the Olivier was transformed into an in-the-round space for Death of England: Delroy, before England’s Lockdown 2.0 cut the run short.

Also inside, we look to the skies for an impressive firework and drone show staged in celebration of Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election. Plus, Phil Ward discovers Clair Global’s Virtual Live Audience software; Jo Boyd takes a walk through the Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail; we report on the audio systems at use for the first staging of Chess in Russia; Teodora Lyubomirova details the microphones hurtling towards the Red Planet to record the sounds of space; and we catch up with Hologramica’s Liz Berry and sound designer Sebastian Frost.

On the tech front, Mike Wood provides an in-depth review of Martin by Harman’s ERA 800 Performance LED profile, and Richard Cadena gets to grips with the Blackout Lighting Console app, and CAD software Drafty 4.0.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your continued readership and support. It is our sincere hope that these pages have provided a small sense of normality for you throughout this very strange and unsettled year. Let’s hope 2021 is a brighter, healthier, happier year all round . . . and one with plenty more live events! Until then, take care - and happy holidays!

Mike Clark reports on an outdoor spectacular starring tenor Andrea Bocelli and a large choir and orchestra performing on the steps of a UNESCO world heritage site in the Sicilian city of Noto . . .

Rob Halliday discovers how the National Theatre reconfigured the Olivier to host a COVID-safe solo performance - before lockdown struck again . . .

As the 46th US president was finally confirmed, the sky above Wilmington erupted with an impressive firework and drone show. Rob Halliday reports . . .

Regulars

LSi talks to rising star Conor Thornton

Streaming my life away Phil Ward speaks volumes

The Shend Interrogates Jerry Hawkins

Last in: getting the job done on time

Drafty 4.0

Testing, testing . . .

Christmas blunders

Phil Ward talks to sound designer Sebastian Frost . . .

James Simpson predicts the shape of tech to come : Spatial reality displays