Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

Describing the tower, Unusual's technical director Robin Elias said, "The challenge for us was to design a safety system that would allow them to perform a daring and exciting challenge without taking anything away from the feat itself. We were responsible for the safety management of the event, and specifically the safety management of working - or in this case, playing - at height."

Working to a brief from producer John Adams, Unusual had just three days to come up with the structure that would challenge the boys to the limit: two 50ft square

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14 March 2016

After 30 years and more than 1,000 performances since its last refurbishment, the main stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome was in desperate need of repair with splits, cracks and uneven surfaces. Versatile, durable and slip resistant - as well as being the closest match to the original flooring - the hard-wearing and heavy duty Harlequin Stanfast fitted the bill.

"We aim to provide something that is world class and that has to be world class in every aspect, front of house and on stage," said Stuart Griffiths, Birmingham Hippodrome chief executive. "We have to provide the best working conditions for performers, musicians and technicians."

Following the removal of the original floor and the repair and levelling of the

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14 March 2016

The college had budgeted for a replacement "within the next five years," said Geoff Stock, project manager with J.R. Clancy, Inc. "While the president was doing a presentation in the auditorium, one of the hydraulic hoists slipped, and the pipe crept in behind him."

Suddenly the replacement rose to the top of the agenda. The hydraulic system was condemned overnight, said Pierre Lemieux, principal with Trizart Alliance, the theatre consultancy firm selected for the job. "Within two weeks, the contract was awarded," he said. "We had good support from Clancy's local installers. Everything moved very rapidly."

Trizart spe

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14 March 2016

Stage One employs over one hundred people; designers, developers, electrical and mechanical engineers, motion control experts and materials technologists.

Founded over 20 years ago, Stage One output is varied, from the British Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, to the staging system that enabled Lord Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group to tour Phantom of the Operathrough the sports arenas of Taipei. The common denominator recognised by this Queen's Award is continuous innovation throughout that whole body of work over

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14 March 2016

The Czech Republic headquartered Milos Group is the largest global aluminium trussing manufacturer offering the most diverse portfolio of trussing and related products worldwide.

Smart Productions' new trussing went directly into use in a large structure built for the current Tutankhamen - His Tomb and Treasures exhibition, staged at the Holesovice Exhibition Centre in Prague.

The impressive trussing structure - measuring 97m long by 32m deep in total - is 4.9m high and joined together by a series of Milos M390 multi-cube junctions. It is supported on 40 legs constructed from the same type of trussing.

The structure forms the framework for several viewing sections of the experience in the main

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14 March 2016

Triple E - which has a 30-year history of inventing engineering solutions for the entertainment industry - has constructed a mock up curtain scenery display to show off the simple plug and play Wireless TracDrive unit, which attaches to the XLR socket on all TracDrive, EDrive, and SDrive motors and enables cable-free operation.

"Many venues require additional control positions or even the ability to operate anywhere in a building or auditorium so the simple 'plug and play' wireless system with a hand held pocket size remote is the answer," says Triple E's managing director David Edelstein. "It saves time and money on routing cables and literally takes a couple of minutes to connect and set u

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14 March 2016

Working closely with Alex Miasnikof and Malcolm Weldon, production managers for the tour, Tait combined optimized rental assets with custom elements to deliver a complete staging solution. Following opening night, Miasnikof stated, "No matter how complicated or crazy the project, Tait will come up with a solution. They have a team of great people that will support your efforts in all aspects, from paper to show; no matter where in the world it might be."

The rolling mainstage includes a flaggapault lift, retractable dance bar, band risers, duck blinds, propa

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14 March 2016

Designed and manufactured in the UK, the 12-24 kVA Cygnus HPG is compatible with all diesel generators and can be used to provide primary, standalone, stand by or emergency power. An environmentally friendly generator, it can produce clean re

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14 March 2016

"The Euro Code 9 standards gave us pause to re-examine our entire product line; eighteen months later we have OV Truss up and ready to go. Currently available in two forms, OV Truss is a square truss with either 30 or 40 centimetre chord centres. Where is differs is in the web, we have developed a special extrusion for the web that gives a strength gain of +15% above the Code 9 standard. Length for length it's also lighter than anything comparable, and

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14 March 2016

Seifritz's new responsibilities include facilitating repairs at customer venues, providing links to qualified professionals who can conduct backstage inspections, making training available for new and experienced operators, and writing complete equipment estimates.

Seifritz came to Clancy in 1988 as an engineering designer. Over his 25- year career with Clancy, he also has served as an applications engineer and dealer project manager, leading projects that range from elementary school stage rigging to complex systems on cruise ships. His recent projects have included large automated rigging systems for Centro Cultural Corpartes in Santiago, Chile and Messiah College in Grantham

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14 March 2016

Sonu Bottom, mamemo productions said, "It was an amazing experience to see the Showforce team lead and help all our suppliers achieve their goals. Showforce was the backbone of the event and I cannot thank them enough for accepting all the challenges, last minute cha

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14 March 2016

The PAS Clip Nuts contain a threaded extrusion which simply and neatly slides over the square rack rails and clips closed - saving masses of time as well as the potential of pain, bruises, stabbings - not to mention the complete and utter frustration that anyone attempting to grapple aged nuts into place will be familiar with.

Once in place, the retaining bolt is then screwed through the Clip Nut in a civilised manner to secure the rack device or panel into place.

Currently PAS's Threaded Rack Rail Clip Nuts are available as standard in black or silver, and with M6, M5 or 10/32 threaded holes.

PAS's Rob Platt syas: "Quite simply, it's the nuts! We have been

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14 March 2016

Combining interviews, presentations, panel discussions, demonstration classes and a live performance, the conference brought together leading experts in dance, health, community arts and education to explore the ways in which dance can enhance lives.

"Harlequin Floors is delighted to be a part of such an important event," said Mark Rasmussen, group marketing manager for Harlequin Floors. "Our sponsorship of the conference is further evidence of our commitment to delivering the very highest standards of health and safety for the world's dance community."

Harlequin was present on all thre

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14 March 2016

Star Events Group brought its advanced QP (Quasi Parabolic) seating system to the market only three years ago and is already establishing itself as a leading quality seating supplier in the UK.

To continue this growth and development and with a strong focus on training ahead of the season, Star Events ran an extensive two day training exercise with Salima Ltd supplying 20 crew for product specific training.

The two days were split between classroom-style training and hands-on building of specific grandstand layouts. Salima were chosen as they were able to demonstrate the same focus and dedication to safety and service, says Star Events.

Star Events Group reports a much busier than expected season now taking shape, having already signed extende

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14 March 2016

Hamish Hamilton who directed the TV broadcasts of the London 2012 opening and closing ceremonies, was also honoured on the night with a special award in recognition of his "outstanding creative contribution to the industry and his extensive work and accomplishments in his field".

In The Ring - A stage musical based on the hit film Rocky is to open on Broadway. Sylvester Stallone, who starred in and wrote the script for the Oscar-winning 1976 film, is co-producing the theatre version, which will open at t

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14 March 2016

The demo version can be used without the need for a Martin One-Key and is available at www.martinshowdesigner.com.

The MSD demo version contains a ready-to-use scene that matches Martin's M-PC training show file. After a simple registration, the user gets a license immediately. Connection to the MSD demo version can be made via a Martin M-PC or LightJockey as well as Artnet.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Here are 10 reasons to join us today:

* Audio legend Tony Andrews delivers his Keynote Speech What is Good Audio?

* Martin Audio debuts the MLA Mini

* Ambersphere presents Clay Paky and the Laws of Physics

* Award winning sound designer Gareth Fry gives his seminar Creative Manipulation of Sound

* d&b audiotechnik tell you Why Size Matters

* The ABTT discuss qualifications and competence in the technical theatre sector

* Jon Burton presents How to Soundcheck

* Focusrite deliver their workshop for recording engineers

* Lunch is on us!

* Registration is free on arrival

With all of this on offer and more, PLASA Focus: Leeds 2013 is a show you simply cannot afford to mis

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14 March 2016

The new shareholders - Trevor Smallwood, Dan Aldridge, Bob Smith, James Irvine, Anna Western, Adam Blaxill, Adrian Searle and Ian Tregaskis - combine considerable business experience with a strong knowledge of the entertainment technology industry. Under the new ownership structure, Trevor Smallwood will continue as chairman of the board and the company's executive directors remain unchanged.

Dan Aldridge commented: "Stage Electrics is in a solid position

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14 March 2016

5 Star join a number of other high profile professional entertainment industry players including Robe, HSL, AC Entertainment Technologies, Green Hippo, J&C Joel and LS Live, who are enthusiastically supporting Goff's first season on the BTCC grid.

Goff is part of Tony Gilham's Team HARD / RCIB Insurance Racing - following his win of the 2012 AirAsia Renault Clio UK Championship.

5 Star's Keith Sykes comments, "It's really exciting to be involved with Jack's rapidly accelerating career. He is highly talented and completely dedicated as well as having a really great personality, and we wish him all the best for a great season ahead.

"Already with two race meetings under our belts it's proved to be a great day out and there is some serious camarad

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14 March 2016

The ballet barre is essential for warm-up and stretching exercises and plays a crucial part in a dancer's fitness regime. Both professional and amateurs can minimise the risk of injury by stretching properly to increase blood-flow to the muscles and improve flexibility whilst achieving an elegant stance.

"Whether you choose Harlequin's portable freestanding or permanent wall-mounted ballet barres, you'll realise they are almost a prerequisite for any dancer," says the company. "Comfortable and sturdy freestanding ballet barres are available in a beech or smooth silver aluminium finish and a range of sizes while s

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14 March 2016

As the parking area at the Rosebank Hotel is transformed into a venue to showcase some of South Africa's finest designers, the street lamps in the enormous marquee are the only give-away that you are not, in fact, attending an international fashion event. Thick draping blocks out daylight and the ground is neatly covered with carpeting to create a clean cut looking event. Each show was sold out.

Two seasonal events are held annually in Johannesburg to introduce the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter Collections of a given year. "Lucilla has amazing vision and leadership and every

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14 March 2016

With a reputation built not just on service and equipment but on relationships and a willingness to assist throughout every stage of the production cycle, the B&E team remains committed to facilitating the smooth transition of client ideas from concept to completion.

Recent investment and expansion has seen the introduction of a myriad of new products to the B&E equipment range, with a strong focus on new technologies and the design and development of 'own brand' product, created specifically to meet the specific needs of the enter

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14 March 2016

The dance company's technical manager Steven Wilkins worked closely with set designer Jerome Kaplan to devise a set comprising five sets of portal legs that would track on and off stage to different positions to create the various scenes.

"The portal legs were to be moved by the dancers and had to move freely and easily," says Wilkins. "As always at Northern Ballet we set about converting the designer's model into a 3D virtual world to prove that the show will work in the diverse range of venues we tour to. Once we'd worked out the weight of the scenic pieces and that it was within the safe working load of the track Unitrack was an easy choice.

"I choose Triple because e

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14 March 2016

Running for three days, the show drew in some of the biggest names in theatre, TV and stage production.

Primetime, one of Le Mark's key Scandinavian distributors, reported an excellent level of interest in all products including the MagTape professional gaffer tape and ever growing Dirty Rigger gloves & accessories range.

Hannah Attfield commented: "Primetime and their staff are one of the most professional teams I've ever dealt with. They fully understand our products and offer outstanding service to their customers which is so important when distributing and representing our established brands."

(Jim Evans)