UK - The market value of the UK entertainment technology industry has grown by an estimated 5% in the past 12 months, according to PLASA research.
This puts the industry’s value at £1.36bn in 2018/19, up from £1.30bn in 2017/18. The sectors with the largest growth include architecture, broadcast and corporate events, which are valued at £250m, £220m and £160m respectively.
Only a third of the businesses surveyed expect the industry to grow in 2019/20 however, the main concern being how and when the UK will exit the European Union.
The full report, which follows on from PLASA’s comprehensive industry research released in 2018, details sector by sector performance, investment in marketing and R&D, and the future outlook for the industry.
“We are delighted to offer this important resource,” comments PLASA managing director, Peter Heath. “It provides vital insight for business planning, budgeting and benchmarking performance - I encourage all businesses to download the full report.”
He adds: “Whilst it’s great to see that the industry has performed so well over the last year, we are clearly looking towards a period of uncertainty as Brexit looms over the sector. PLASA will continue to support our members to the fullest extent that we can.”
The 2019 PLASA industry research report is available to download free of charge to PLASA members or £500+VAT for non-members. For more information, visit <

USA - In Dayton, Ohio, in the heart of the downtown Arts District, the Mead Theatre is the cornerstone of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Centre. Opened in 2003, the 2,300-seat venue hosts a wide range of performances, including the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet, touring Broadway blockbusters, rock concerts, comedians and more.
Helping to inspire the imagination and refresh the spirit of the three-balcony facility, Scenic Solutions of Ohio specified and installed FloppyFlex LED neon into the architectural details of the venue.
In addition to the installation in the concentric rings of the ceiling that culminate in a representation of the night sky when the Wright Brothers took their first flight, “We used 204m of FloppyFlex White 2100K deployed in the existing coves that accent all three balconies,” says Andrew Persson of Scenic Solutions. “We were able to utilise the existing wire infrastructure - with the addition of magnetic dimmable drivers installed remotely - which made circuiting simple and efficient. FloppyFlex was a good solution because of the level of control it allowed, its smooth and consistent output, plus it fit the profile of the incandescent rope light it replaced.
“FloppyFlex was able to conform to the curved shapes of the architecture in which it was mounted and produces a far superior light output compared to conventional rope lights. It has been performing extremely well and uniformly.”
Persson continues: “The Mead Theatre is an important venue and we wanted to get it righ

Latvia - The Latvian College of Culture (LCC) in Riga is part of the larger Latvian Academy of Culture and is described as "the best place to study creative industries" in the country.
The college has a continuous and built-in effort to keep up with the times, which is why school administrators called on SGS Sistemas, Clair Brothers distributor in the region. Normunds Eilands and Guntars Bluss of SGS were asked to recommend the best loudspeakers for LCC’s next upgrade of its audio production equipment. After evaluating the school’s needs SGS recommended the Clair Brothers kiT12-i loudspeakers, and kiT-Subs.
Along with the selected kiT12-i loudspeakers and kiT-Subs, the Clair Brothers PLM 12K44 power amplifier was also specified and installed. Other equipment chosen by the college includes a Lab.gruppen power amplifier; a Midas digital mixing console plus a Midas input/output stage box; Beyerdynamic wireless microphones; Clay Paky LED moving lights; Chauvet LED moving wash lights; and a Swefog haze generator, among other international brands.
The Latvian College of Culture gives special thanks to the team at SGS Sistemas. “Likewise,” adds Eilands. “We appreciate our relationship with LCC and are always pleased to play a part in the development of education, offering the best for the students - the opportunity to use world-class sound equipment from Clair Brothers as chosen by professionals.”
(Jim Evans)

Norway - Touring theatre productions in rural areas of north Norway can be very challenging, especially with limited local facilities and equipment that has to cope with fast-changing extremes of temperature. But an Alcons Audio LR7 pro-ribbon system is proving equal to every challenge for the country’s northernmost regional theatre.
Established in 1971, Hålogaland Teater was the first regional theatre in Norway, serving counties of Troms and Finnmark. It occupies a modern building at Teaterplassen in Tromsø, built in 2005, which features two modern theatre stages, a cafè stage and a rehearsal stage.
It tours productions all year to 15 regular venues located throughout Troms and Finnmark, often in local dialects. The varied programme includes contemporary and classic drama, musicals, children's theatre and more. These shows need an audio system which can be easily transported and is very roadworthy, but delivers high quality audio for any kind of production in every venue where Hålogaland Teater tours.
Recently, the theatre needed to replace its touring system, so chief sound engineer Jim-Oddvar Hansen put together a technical specification based on all the needs, wants and challenges that it had to satisfy. He thoroughly researched every possible solution and system manufacturer and, after putting some systems ‘head to head’, an Alcons Audio pro-ribbon solution was the winner.
Supplied by Alcons’ Norwegian distributor and Pro-Ribbon Partner Lydproduksjon Tromsø AS, Hansen chose an Alcons LR7 pro-ribbon micro line array system, co

Dominican Republic Sound Video Lighting (SVL) has installed a full complement of Martin Audio CDD speakers and SX subwoofers in the Peperoni restaurant and bar in the Dominican Republic capital of Santo Domingo.
Describing the venue, SVL’s Jonathan Del Villar explains: “Peperoni is a very popular restaurant serving what is essentially international cuisine in a variety of styles. Owner Jean-Pierre Bahsa used to be a club owner who knows that business very well. He had gone to Bachata Rosa, a popular restaurant in Punta Cana, owned by singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra, and was very impressed by the Martin Audio system that we had installed there.
“Since we are friends, he asked us to work on the project early on during the planning stages which was good because we were able to have significant impact in terms of everything that has to do with technology - the audio, video, WiFi and security systems.”
In terms of the audio, the owner wanted a good system with small speakers that could be loud and clear when required. “Basically, there are four main areas in the restaurant with audio systems. On the first floor, they have a large dining area with high ceilings, then an indoor bar with lower ceilings and a cosy party ambiance where the music gets louder later at night. On the second floor, they have two separate areas for private parties.”
To provide the consistent audio coverage and quality required, SVL designed a system with six white Martin Audio CDD8 in the main dining area, three per side, mounted horizontally on the walls, faci

Europe - With more than 50 destinations across Europe, Event Hospitality Management Holding currently operates more than 80 business and conferencing hotels in Germany, Italy and The Netherlands under its Event Hotels brand.
The group’s corporate management regularly liaises with the directors of each hotel, with the focal point of these important meetings being the large conference room at the corporate headquarters situated in Cologne on the banks of the River Rhine.
In February 2019, work finished on an ambitious installation which featured Shure’s Microflex Complete Wireless Solution, complemented by an IntelliMix P300 Conferencing DSP Processor. The system was planned and installed by systems integrator Tascan.
Due to the conference room being an oblong shape, the previously installed conferencing system was unable to guarantee speech intelligibility during large meetings, affecting participants both in the conference room and at external locations, which led to a negative impact on internal and external collaboration and wider teamwork contribution.
Having opted to comprehensively modernise its on-site media technology, the company also decided to bring the audio system up to date with a new, state-of-the-art solution.
Given the challenging room shape and dimensions, Cologne-based integrator Tascan needed a flexible conferencing system that was also user friendly and simple to operate.
Tascan Systems installed a total of 16 MXCW640 Wireless Conference Units in the room, each fitted with an MXC420DF/C condenser gooseneck

USA - Home to 80 full-time musicians representing more than a dozen nations, the Colorado Symphony is one of North America’s leading orchestras and performs more than 150 concerts annually at the 2,700-seat Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver, at nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and across the state
In 2012, the City of Denver purchased a DiGiCo SD7 mixing console as part of a major audio facilities upgrade for Boettcher Concert Hall that also notably included a full L-Acoustics loudspeaker system. With productions growing increasingly complex and technically more demanding over the past seven years, the City once again chose to invest in DiGiCo - this time by upgrading its existing SD7 with a new Quantum engine.
For more than 15 years, Aric Christensen has served as Colorado Symphony’s head of audio. Seeing that he individually mics all of the orchestra’s instruments and typically runs upwards of 100 inputs on a standard show, DiGiCo’s flagship SD7 was his primary choice from the very start - as was the recent Quantum upgrade.
“As amazing as it might seem, we had actually started to outgrow our SD7,” he shares. “And really, without the SD7, some of our shows would never have been possible. To do as many inputs as we do at a sample rate of 96kHz, there’s really no other console out there that’s going to have the processing power and right MADI I/O to handle it. I also wanted to do Virtual Soundcheck of 96 channels at 96k, so I obviously needed a lot of ports to be able to accomplish that as well.”
The Colorado Symphony

USA - Located on Monterey Street in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, the 865-seat Fremont Theatre is a surviving - and now thriving - example of the Streamline Moderne style favoured by West Coast movie theatres and performance halls when it opened for both roles in 1942. As its entertainment appeal gradually waned over the decades, the facility dodged various attempts to modernize it as a multiplex cinema, and then to be razed altogether.
Thankfully, a new group of partners, the Fremont Theatre Entertainment Group, has invested in restoring the theatre’s visual and acoustical charm while also modernising its technical facilities. A key part of that effort was the addition of an L-Acoustics Kara loudspeaker system, originally installed in 2018 and then re-flown with a new truss system installed earlier this year.
“We knew from the very start that we wanted an L-Acoustics sound system because they’re simply the best, and we chose Kara because it fit the venue so well both sonically and physically,” explains Bill Gaines, owner of Bill Gaines Audio (BGA), who did the sound system design and installation—and, in an unusual twist, is also one of the venue’s six new partners.
“We knew that the original installation was going to be replaced with a much more suitable aluminium truss, but we wanted to start having shows in the theatre as soon as possible. Once the new truss went in, we simply reinstalled the Kara system to it.”
Gaines notes that Kara was the right choice because its smaller form factor still provides the power and

UK - Since the National Theatre’s initial investment in 42 MAC Encore Performance LED moving heads for the Olivier Theatre in May 2018, a planned roll-out has seen the venue on London’s Southbank install MAC Encores in the Lyttelton and Dorfman Theatres and add further units to the Olivier. In total, 156 MAC Encore Performance and Wash fixtures are either permanently installed or held in shared lighting resources.
Selected for their feature set, durability and near silent operation, the roll-out has been supplied by a number of Martin dealers including White Light, Stage Electrics, Hawthorn and Flashlight - all themselves supplied by UK Martin distributor Sound Technology.
In the Olivier Theatre - the largest of the three theatres within the National - lighting supervisor Jack Williams is preparing to install additional MAC Encore Performance CLD fixtures as the process of replacement and updating continues. “We did a shoot out of a number of CLD fixtures and found this to be the best,” he says.
The Olivier Theatre alone now hosts 16 MAC Encore Performance CLD, 31 MAC Encore Performance WRM and 32 MAC Encore Wash WRM - installed both above stage and front of house.
“Our biggest change was 18 months ago when we swapped the TW1 at FOH for WRM Encore Performances and that gave us a lot more control of the lighting than previously.” Jack continues. “The Martin fixtures are always consistent - they are workhorses and really reliable in terms of positioning. For productions requiring a really intimate feel, the MAC Encores with their

Russia - Dominated by Russian gymnasts, rhythmic gymnastics has been a particular success for Russia since gaining worldwide recognition as an Olympic sport in 1984. In Moscow, construction of a new gymnastics venue was recently completed, the Irina A. Viner-Usmanova Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre, a world-class facility that houses a flexible Elation Professional lighting system.
Featuring a main performance arena and facade that resembles the wave of a gymnastic ribbon, the Irina A. Viner-Usmanova Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre, named after one of the most successful gymnastics coaches of all time, can host any type of gymnastics event from local competition to world championship.
As the sports facility was designed to be multifunctional in order to accommodate training and competition across a variety of events, as well as concerts, shows and special events, Elation distributor LPD Tech was contracted to provide a versatile lighting system. With flexibility essential in gymnastics, perhaps it was appropriate that the new venue’s lighting system was expected to possess that same resilient quality.
Faced with the challenge of finding a multi-faceted luminaire that could add flair to opening and closing ceremonies while doubling as a multi-purpose concert and show light, after consultations with several lighting designers, LPD chose the Elation Platinum FLX hybrid moving head to fulfil the many roles.
“The Platinum FLX is an award-winning, multifunctional spot, beam and wash fixture that is as bright as a 1,200-watt fixture so was perfect for t

Germany - Inaugurated in 2005, Munich’s Allianz Arena, with its striking façade of almost 3,000 air-filled panels which made it the first stadium to display a full colour-changing exterior, is one of the best-known football stadiums in the world.
Inside, too, the three-tiered stadium construction leaves an impression on the 75,000 plus spectators who come to see top national and international sport, and especially to support home football team Bayern Munich. For this season, the sound system in the Allianz Arena has stepped up its game. In cooperation with the engineering and planning office Müller-BBM, L-Acoustics certified provider system integrator, Wilhelm & Willhalm event technology group, have installed an extensive Kara system from L-Acoustics.
Since the Arena opened, Wilhelm & Willhalm has been the infotainment technology service provider to the venue, and won the upgrade project when Müller-BBM launched a tender for the new sound system which would provide optimized, uniform sound level distribution across all three tiers, improve of the transmission quality for music playback, as well as increase speech intelligibility for announcements. In addition, the new system needed to anticipate the upcoming Euro 2020 where, as part of the first pan-European European Football Championship, the only matches in Germany will be staged in there.
"The membrane roof of the Allianz Arena creates considerable reverberation in the spectator area. For this reason, care was taken to design a system that delivers sound to the spectators, minimizing

Germany - Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) uses Sennheiser wireless systems in its lecture halls and seminar rooms to convey the spoken word in the best possible audio quality. It currently has 53 wireless channels from the Sennheiser SpeechLine Digital Wireless series operating in the DECT range.
The systems are spread around different university locations and were installed successively over a period of two years. The conversion from UHF to DECT frequencies has not yet been completed at Martin Luther University – an application to purchase further Sennheiser wireless systems has already been made. The homogeneous wireless equipment at the Universitätsplatz, the Steintor Campus, the Weinberg Campus and the Francke Foundations simplifies both handling and servicing.
Up to three SL Rack Receiver DW units are used in typical lecture halls at MLU. These are employed together with wireless table microphones (SL Tablestand 133-S DW) and handheld or bodypack transmitters. The SL Handheld DW transmitters are all equipped with MME 865-1 super-cardioid condenser capsules, while the SL Bodypack DW transmitters are operated with clip-on or head-worn microphones.
The lavalier microphones (Sennheiser MKE 1 with omnidirectional pick-up pattern) are always kept in the lecture halls and seminar rooms on the Weinberg Campus, while the SL Headmic 1 head-worn microphones (omnidirectional pick-up pattern) together with their corresponding bodypack transmitters are issued to the teaching staff each semester, not least for reasons of hygiene, and are s

USA - Following a year-long renovation project, the former West Nashville United Methodist Church re-opened last year as Clementine, a space for weddings as well as corporate, fundraising and music events. The venue offers a ‘blank canvas’ for hosting bespoke gatherings and that includes an expansive all-LED, all-ADJ lighting system which allows custom-coloured illumination of every part of the space.
Owners Dan and Brenda Cook are no strangers to projects that involve breathing new life into previously closed historic buildings. In 2011 they bought a shuttered church in the Hillsboro Village area of Nashville and lovingly restored it to create a boutique event venue they named Ruby. Since then the location has proved popular for a wide range of private functions, while Dan and Brenda have been on the look out for another suitable building to transform into a similar venue able to cater for larger events.
Last year they were able to acquire the former West Nashville United Methodist Church, which was originally built way back 1889 and has since been expanded numerous times. They then spent a whole year renovating the building, which included removing internal walls and false ceilings and stripping the plaster from the walls to reveal the original bare brick beneath. The finished result blends the history of the space with a contemporary industrial design.
Dan and Brenda brought in Corner Audio and Video, the same company they relied on to kit out Ruby. Headed up by chief systems designer David Goon, it is the installation division of Corner Musi

UK - Penn Elcom has released the PDU16-10DJ PDU (power distribution unit) range of 1U rack mounting units which combine all the power and practicality of 10 switchable output sockets - available with different socket outlets - and a range of power ratings between 10A and 16A.
The full catalogue of Penn PDU devices now includes these four new slimline variants plus four other 2U devices, all of which are designed to flexibly assist full connectivity in a wide array of scenarios.
The PDU16-10DJ range is suitable for numerous installation and integration applications - from live music venues, theatres and studios to clubs, restaurants and bars, plus custom install applications like home automation, says the company.
Each of the 10 switchable channels is protected by a thermal current overload trip switch, and each numbered channel has a dedicated rocker switch with a neon indicator light for quick and easy identification, so users can spot immediately whether if a load is present - or not - in both bright and dark light conditions.
Power comes in via a panel mounted C20 socket and is distributed to ten C13 / IEC outlets. A thermal overload trip switch cuts the power supply to all sockets if activated, providing the requisite safety standards for general industrial use.
(Jim Evans)

USA - Sound and lighting specialist, Infinity Sound, has completed the design and installation of live and background music sound systems for FireHouse Gastro Park (FHGP) in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Within the original buildings of a 20th century fire station, FHGP is now a diverse hang-out-and-eat location. The venue has been created by owners Jason and Carlee Smith, in collaboration with Rouch Architecture. The FireHouse aesthetic and philosophy was inspired by the Smith’s roots in southern California, their passion for the historic building rehab revolution, and Grand Prairie’s commitment to preservation and economic development. The original fire station remains at the heart of the FHGP and the sprawling and evolving space now features indoor and outdoor dining, a secret garden bar, a family-friendly green-space, coffee shop and a smoke house.
Music is a key element of FHGP, particularly live music. In an outdoor area, a shipping container has been converted into a live stage for use by FHGP guest performers and groups, and to provide a local concert venue. Infinity Sound designed and installed the performance audio for the live stage, as well as interior and exterior background music and paging systems.
Jerry Tidwell, Infinity Sound’s project manager, explained, “Biamp’s Community loudspeakers were our first choice in providing a quality outdoor array that would meet our client’s desire for complete coverage with a system that could handle diverse applications. Flown with IV6 GlidePoint array frames, the system has two arrays each comp

Vietnam - Ba Sao Investment Co., Ltd recently installed a Harman Professional Solutions networked audio, video, light and control solution at Van Lang University to deliver pristine sound and alluring lighting for performances, presentations and events.
Founded in 1995, Van Lang University is one of the first and most distinguished private universities in Vietnam. With three sprawling facilities across Ho Chi Minh City, Van Lang University offers an array of educational amenities, including an expansive technology center, a smart library and a world-class concert hall. In order to provide exceptional sound and lighting for events in the concert hall, Van Lang University hired Vietnam's premier AV distributor, Ba Sao Investment Co., Ltd to install an AV solution. After surveying the location, Ba Sao Investment assembled a comprehensive Harman Professional Solutions networked AV system.
“Van Lang is one of the most prestigious universities in Vietnam, and they required a state-of-the-art AVLC solution to produce world-class events in their concert hall,” comments Nguyen Huu Tuan, sales director, Ba Sao Investment Co. Ltd. “Aiming to provide the University with a user-friendly system, we selected a range of Harman Professional products for their unrivalled flexibility, intuitive controls and superior sound and light quality.”
Ba Sao Investment equipped the concert hall with a JBL VRX932LAP line array loudspeaker system and VRX918SP line array subwoofers for class-leading sound with brilliant highs and deep lows. JBL PRX815W floor moni

UK - On the surface, My Favorite Year and Children of Eden are very different shows. The Stephen Flaherty-Lynn Ahrens musical takes a farcical behind the scenes look at 1950s television, as a hapless writer tries to keep an irascible matinee idol from a bygone era out of trouble before his appearance on a live show. By contrast, Steven Schwartz’ Eden recounts the story behind creation in the Book of Genesis.
Different? Indeed! But both shows offer audiences the shared experience of departing from everyday reality and cry out for brightness and colour on stage - which is what Nic Farman provided for recent productions of the plays at Mountview’s new theatre. Aiding him in this undertaking was a collection of Chauvet Professional Ovation fixtures supplied by White Light.
“I’ve worked on a number of productions for Mountview before, so when I was approached to light the first shows in the school’s new theatre, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” recalls Farman. “The two shows were rather different, but from a lighting standpoint they shared some things in common - and each was a fun challenge!”
Farman had his design fill a somewhat different role in each production. For My Favorite Year he relied on lighting to distinguish between the scenes that happened behind the camera and those that took place “on air.” With Children of Eden is mission was also about establishing different senses of location. However, since this show recounts the story of creation, he used lighting to add a

UK - Owned by AB Hotels, Sopwell House is a luxury country house hotel set in 12 acres of Hertfordshire countryside. Steeped in history, the house was once home to the Mountbatten family and remained as a private residence until 1969 when it became a hotel. In 1986, it was acquired by Bejerano family who are still at the helm of the business.
With more than 100 rooms, two restaurants, bars, conferencing, wedding and spa facilities as well as a swimming pool and gym, the hotel is equipped to meet every kind of business and recreational requirement.
Just as the gym plays an important role for guests who do not wish to interrupt their training regimes whilst away from home, its audio system is critical to delivering a complete experience. Fitness spaces with high quality background music reinforcement are now very much the expected standard.
Not satisfied that its existing system was up to scratch, director Alon Bejerano consulted with Excite AV over improving the audio in Sopwell House’s gym and adjoining dance studio. AV equipment provider Audiologic supplied Ecler IC Series ceiling loudspeakers to obtain optimum quality and coverage.
At Sopwell House, Excite AV used 10 x IC6 6” speakers in the gym ceiling and a further eight IC8 8” speakers were used in the dance studio. The system is powered by a Cloud CXV225 amplifier and uses a Cloud Z8 Mk4 Zone Mixer. The Z8Mk4 accepts up to six input sources and acts as a very user-friendly master control. Further local control was added by means of remote wall plates.
Gareth Thomas, director

Thailand - To deliver clear, intelligible sound for sporting events, live performances and more, Mahajak Development Co recently deployed a networked AV system at Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium.
With over 10,000 seats, Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium is Thailand’s premier live event facility for sporting events, performances and more. The venue recently hired Mahajak Development to upgrade their existing sound system with a comprehensive Harman Professional Solutions networked AV system.
“The customer requested an audio system that could deliver crystal-clear sound during speeches, live performances and other live events,” says Pongsakorn Kanchanachayphoom, project director, Mahajak Development Co. “Mounting a speaker on the roof of the stadium proved to be a bit of a challenge, as it needed to be specifically positioned for maximum impact throughout the seating area. But after careful and precise measurements we were able to achieve the desired result.”
Mahajak Development equipped the stadium with JBL PD566 full-range loudspeakers to deliver clear, intelligible sound with broad, even coverage. Mahajak Development selected JBL AWC129 all-weather coaxial loudspeakers for their compact, weather-resistant design and high SPL capabilities. JBL LSR305 studio monitors were installed in the control room to deliver neutral, accurate sound for critical listening.
The system is powered by Crown DCi 2|600N, DCi 2|1250N and DSi 2000 amplifiers, which were selected for their unparalleled efficiency and advanced digital signal processing capabilitie

South Africa - The Little Theatre, based at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, has upgraded to a grandMA3 light console as the theatre moves into its dance season, hosting various performances from ballet to contemporary.
“Although our previous console served us well, it was over nine years old,” explains technical manager Leon Rossouw. “We were having issues with updating fixture libraries and the start-up time for the console was time-consuming. Software updates were no longer rolled out as the console had been discontinued a few years back already and some of the hardware was also giving me major hassles.”
In 2010, the Little Theatre decided to focus on promoting theatres in schools and youth groups instead of being a money generating playhouse. While their main clientele consists of private dance studios, schools and drama groups they also host various performing art competitions and Eisteddfods. A number of live acts and production companies use the theatre for music videos, live performances and album launches. Apart from that, the theatre has hosted some of Unisa’s most prolific colloquiums, book launches, seminars, debates and other events.
“As the Little Theatre rarely host shows that run for more than a week, and from time to time even run three separate shows in the same week, there is not much room for things to go wrong or break down,” says Rossouw, who with theatre manager Jan Steyn is the only permanent staff at the venue.
Leon confesses that he was a complete newbie to the MA platform. “Even when I ha

UK - Italia Conti Academy is one of the world’s most recognisable names when it comes to performing arts education for secondary school and further education students.
When Triple E were approached to supply ModTruss for one of the school’s recent productions it was an opportunity to support the young performers in more ways than one.
Despite the short lead time of a month, Triple E worked with the school’s production team to provide a bespoke platform, stairs and handrails which formed a centrepiece of the stage set for the production of Life’s Just a Bowl of Conti’s for a one week run at Rhoda McGraw Theatre in Woking, Surrey.
Amy Stevenson, production and stage manager at Italia Conti Academy comments, “We pride ourselves on the teaching and the production values here at Italia Conti and we only wanted the best for our students for their show. We already have Triple E tracking installed in our main theatre at the academy. So it made sense to approach Triple E to see if they could help with our staging for the recent production at the theatre in Woking.”
“Italia Conti’s requirement was for a large staging structure with access from on stage and off stage. With this in mind it made sense to use ModTruss for the structure because of its modular capabilities and being able to incorporate 12” ModTruss, 6” ModTruss and ModPanels.” explains Lucy Edelstein.
The overall stage set was well received by both the academy and the audience. “It was great working with Lucy - an old contact of mine from RADA days.

South Africa - Having congregated in the Barnyard Theatre in Rivonia, and filling the venue to its maximum capacity, the CRC Church started a 10-month project to build a new 6,000-seater church in Fourways.
DWR Distribution supplied and installed lighting, audio and AV equipment for the church which opened earlier this year, ranging from a grandMA3 compact console, 64 Robe lighting fixtures, an Absen DWP3.9mm screen, Prolyte trussing, L-Acoustics Kara System and a DiGiCo SD12.
The CRC Church led by Pastor At Boshoff, already has two branches in Bloemfontein, a massive auditorium in Pretoria and 90 satellite meeting points where services are broadcast each week.
“Pastor At is a focused man,” says Robert Izzett of DWR, who headed the install. “He is very straight, honest and doesn’t mince his words.”
While the CRC buildings are similar to each other, they are not exactly the same. Having supplied the previous locations, DWR could come up with a solution to meet the technical needs of the Fourways branch. While the church will ultimately seat 6 000 people, the system has been set out in phases and a basic infrastructure has been put in place for future growth.
DWR and the Install Crew, who assisted with the installation, were part of the project from the onset.
The first striking feature when entering the auditorium is the wedge shape and steeply raked seats leading down to the main stage, where the focus is a large high-resolution screen comprising of 336 panels of Absen DWR P3.9mm.
Complimenting the curves of the

UK - Blitz has completed its installation of a new radio mic system for the West End musical production of The Phantom of the Opera.
Last weekend, Blitz’s theatre sound team installed a Sennheiser radio mic system at the production’s home of Her Majesty’s Theatre, London.
Blitz has supported producers Cameron Mackintosh Ltd in delivering The Phantom of the Opera since the show opened in 1986 and holds the crown for the longest serving sound provider to the same musical production in the same location in the West End.
The production has also used Sennheiser radio mics since the show began with this installation being the fourth generation of Sennheiser wireless to be instated. The new equipment included EM 6000 Digital Receivers with SK 6212 Digital Mini-Bodypacks and a Wavetool Audio Monitoring Software system.
Martyn Hunt, head of theatre at Blitz comments: “Blitz has worked with The Phantom of the Opera for 33 years and is always looking to make sure we are evolving when it comes to sound production. Such a renowned and successful musical deserves the very latest in sound technology, and we know that this latest investment with the Sennheiser installation will do just that.
“At Blitz we are passionate about our growing involvement with the theatre industry. We are thrilled to be able to bring our extensive expertise to this area and continue to serve the community after all these years.”
(Jim Evans)

USA - Towson University in Maryland has created an inclusive learning environment situated near the area’s prominent educational, community and cultural resources. From theatre to dance and music, the university’s performing arts programmes produce over 200 student and professional performances each year.
Needing performance venues which can keep up with the busy production schedule, they called up Pennsylvania-based Illuminated Integration to renovate the 500-seat Howard J. Kaplan Concert Hall with a new lighting system including Chalice 70W recessed downlights from Altman Lighting.
“We were initially brought onto the project as the antiquated lighting system in the concert hall had failed from a controls perspective, and they had decided to convert the entire space to LED as well,” begins Mike Birardi, lead design creative, Illuminated Integration. “The targets in doing this were to reduce energy and maintenance costs while improving the overall illumination of the space without losing the architectural design aesthetics. We really tried to give them a solution that could do all those things for better performance with lower maintenance and more energy-efficient usage.”
Working with Towson University for the first time, Birardi and the team at Illuminated Integration began researching the most beneficial lighting technologies.
“Form-factor was a big challenge because we had to find a lighting technology that could fit the existing openings in the ceiling for the downlights,” continues Birardi. “We also wanted a technology