Phil Wells, Hall Stage director says: "We've been looking to develop a hoist system that met all of the stringent BGV C1 control stipulations and realized ASM . . . units get around every hurdle en route and perform superbly under our required specifications. They're virtually silent, vibration free and very quick, unlike most chain hoists; they don't need cable changes, like pilewinds or drum hoists do - and they are small enough to fit into an existing counterweight set-up, so can be used as an active-assist motor during live shows."
Also on the stand will be the new Prolyte Protrac fly bar system, which is set to vastly improve performance and standards in this 'forgotten' area of theatre rigging. Charles Haines, Hall Stage managing director, adds: "Theatre technicians have used scaff pipes and gas barrels for years without really thinking about improving safety performance - as long as the pipe didn't bend too much, we'd get by. If you needed to hang really heavy gear, you'd get a really heavy ladder beam and a bigger crew to haul it around. A few years working with high quality, lightweight truss systems in large venues and rock shows proved to me there had to be a better way - and here it is . . a 2D truss!"
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
