Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

Steve Marshall, chief designer for Dirty Rigger notes: "The Armordillo project was 100% customer driven with their need to have a comfortable all day work glove with excellent grip and flexibility but with a high level of slash and cut resistance.

"We worked within a number of diverse industry sectors including event crewing, rigging, and overhead installation. This ensured that the feedback reflected the true use that these gloves would be exposed to.

"We chose Armourtex flexible shields in key risk areas, with a full Kevlar inner glove to ensure optimum protection and, very importantly, excellent grip. To ensure strength & durability Coats polyester thread was selected to stitch the whole Armordillo into a superb high e

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14 March 2016

Over 300 objects have been brought together for the first time by the V&A's Theatre and Performance curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, and arranged across two exhibition galleries. Exhibits include many of Bowie's original costumes, music videos, excerpts from films and live performances and set designs.

Unusual Rigging's brief from the exhibition designers, 59 Productions and Real Studios, along with lighting designers DHA Designs, included some very subtle rigging requirements for the many flown scenic elements and projection surfaces, scrims, screens and aerial booths involved.

One major exhibit required Unusual to facilitate approximately 100 books swarm

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14 March 2016

This 6mm foam-backed performance vinyl floor provides a lightly textured surface with point elastic shock absorption for dynamic dance routines and ballet pointe work, suitable for all types of contemporary dance.

Le Mark's Dave Cartwright said, "The Compression floor range has already been used on some of the UK's highest profile dance productions. Earlier this year, Dynamic Compression was commissioned for Sky1's primetime series of Got To Dance.

"For this application the floor was installed directly over an existing concrete floor, providing a roll-out covering where the shows contestants could practice their high impact and varied dynamic dance routines.&

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14 March 2016

Devised in conjunction with technical director Ola Melzig and the production team behind this year's Eurovision, this unique event aimed to combine unprecedented backstage access with seminars, Q&A sessions with key members of the production team and a technology showcase to highlight the cutting-edge sound, lighting, projection, video and control systems in use on a show which will have a television audience in excess of 100m people.

After the event, Melzig said, "What a success! All partners and visitors I've talked with are super happy about the quality of this show, and its visitors. It was really great to share the experience and show what is going on backstage to so many peo

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14 March 2016

St George's Hall has twice been significantly damaged by fire and was briefly closed in 2003 following the discovery of small cracks in the ceiling. A Grade II listed building of significant historical interest, the facility is administered by Bradford Metropolitan District Council under the scrutiny of English Heritage.

GDS UK dealer Northern Light was commissioned by the

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14 March 2016

Tait provided a 450sq.m rolling main stage, including a downstage apron, pantograph stairway and four flaggapault lifts for dynamic performer stage entrance and exit. A catwalk leading to a B-stage was also provided, integrated into the B-stage was a triple scissor lift that could move up to 6m above the arena floor.

A range of scenic elements were incor

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14 March 2016

However it was caused, people - men, woman and children were killed or trapped under tons of rubble.

"We are so lucky not to experience or live through such horrendous and simply unimaginable circumstances" quoted Stuart Gibbons, managing director of Le Mark Group including the Dirty Rigger work glove brand. "However, my parents and in particular my mother, did live through the London Blitz of 1940/41, I have never forgotten the stories I was told as a child."

Watching people scrabble through rubble with their bare hands, Gibbons realised Le Mark could, in a very small way, help.

Having r

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14 March 2016

Tait provided a large 61m by 17.6m rolling main stage for the production, with a thrust extending out 26m to the B-stage. The main stage and thrust were finished with specially treated marine wood, paired with a quartz treatment to prevent water damage and provide texture. Two key performance areas were finished with a high gloss treatment for performer movement.

Tait also provided two custom designed technical bunkers with an integrated water protection plumbing system. Housing the backline and sound technicians, the bunkers kept the technicians close to the band but out of audience view during performances. Two front of house bunkers were also manufactured by Tait

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14 March 2016

"Over the past year we have received a lot of positive comments from our clients about the Dirty Rigger range," says K-Teg's Joeri Swennen. "Confident our customers would benefit, we decided to stock a much wider selection from Dirty Rigger's tool pouch, rigger gloves and accessories range and display them in retail store for customers to come in and view up-close.

"We supply clients in various professional industries throughout Europe and the diverse work glove range that Dirty Rigger and K-Teg now offer gives greater flexibility of choice, allowing clients to select a more suitable glove for their working environment. The Dirty Rigger range seems to constantl

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14 March 2016

Clancy makes this unprecedented move to develop a performer flying hoist as an outgrowth of its introduction of its new SceneControl 5000 line of rigging controllers. The new SceneControl 5000 family has the capability to control performer flying hoists as well as automated rigging for scenery, lighting, and sound equipment. Now users can purchase both the performer flying hoist and the controller from one manufacturer.

"Performer flying hoists are a natural extension of our product line," said Larry Eschelbacher, J. R. Clancy director of engineering. "As the industry develops ANSI standards for performer flying and best practices are being established, this is the right time fo

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14 March 2016

Visitors to Harlequin on Stand 144 will discover an exciting new service that the world leaders in sprung and vinyl floors is set to add to its market leading product portfolio.

With 50% more exhibition floor space than last year, the 35th ABTT is expected to welcome record-breaking numbers of visitors. On the Harlequin stand in the Orange Hall, visitors will have access to a wide selection of floor types - as well as expert support, guidance and advice from the Harlequin team.

"We have been exhibiting at ABTT for more than 25 years, "said marketing manager, Caroline Reilly, "and we are excited to once again demonstrate our latest product

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14 March 2016

Tait supplied all the staging for the tour, including a 34m wide main stage, a band riser and a 30m rounded b-stage catwalk. The Buick Electra's hood sits above the band and is made of three, cold-air inflatable pieces. The three separate pieces measure 30m in total length, and are capable of full inflation in 30 minutes. The inflatable surface has been scenically airbrushed and UV treated for the outdoor shows. It is externally lit from various lighting positions during the show, creating many different looks.

To complete the Bui

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14 March 2016

The ABTT show takes place from 12-13 June at the Old Truman Brewery in the capital city, where Backstage Academy will feature amongst the exhibitors showcasing products, services and training for theatre, covering the latest in things like lighting, sound, staging, seating, stage engineering, projection, textiles, flooring, scenic paints and more.

Backstage Academy, who will be exhibiting for the first time at the show on stand number 27, will also be showcasing its backstage short courses and bespoke skills training to visitors, who tend to come from a wide variety of disciplines across professional theatre.

The new BA Visual Production course will launch at Backstage Academy's Wakefield facility in January 20

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14 March 2016

"Ken has been involved in every aspect of this business, from sales and marketing to research and product development," said Global Truss America CEO Chuck Davies. "He's excelled at every position he's held here, so we're very confident that he'll be able to guide our company to even more outstanding success in the future."

Kahn was instrumental in creating Global Truss America's dual branding strategy in 2012. Under this plan, the company markets DJ truss in the US under

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14 March 2016

Harlequin Showfloor is a loose-lay floor designed for any temporary event - from trade stands at exhibitions to display areas in shops, fashion catwalks and many more. It can be laid on any hard and smooth surface including plywood, chipboard, hardboard, tiles or concrete, and comes in a black, grey, white or red finish.

Mineral fibre reinforced with a thin cellular backing, Showfloor is just 2.8mm thick and weighs only 1.5kg/m². It quickly lays flat, stays flat and has an embossed display surface that helps to prevent scuff marks, whilst its cellular foam backing not only provides comfort under foot but helps to reduce noise pollution.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The featured acts included Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Lopez.

Tempower's client wasMike Ellen of MPE Power Solutions who installed all the production power and sub rented in the generator package which consisted of two 300 kva sets for broadcast power and six 500 kva sets for main stage power, all synchronised. These were supplied by Powerhire part of TGC International Ltd.

Tempower supplied the cabling and distribution for all the production and broadcast power including nine 400 amp 5-wire sets of power locks feeds for the main stage alone, one of these supplies splits out to the follow spot towers either side of stage with two 250 amp power locks supplies.

The equipme

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14 March 2016

The development gives the UK market another option in terms of power flying, says Mark Priestley, capital projects manager at Unusual: "The system, which has a real pedigree in control technology, can be tailored to suit the specific requirements of each client and each installation, bringing the Unusual magic to even more elements of theatre engineering."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The Doughty motorised lectern is fully DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant and will be in operation on the stand. Mark Chorley, design engineer at Doughty Engineering said, "We believe this lectern is unique - it will certainly be a real crowd-pleaser! It's been developed on the basis that not everyone who has to speak in front of a crowd is the same height, while enabling those who are unable to stand for long periods, or are wheelchair bound, to give their presentations while sitting down. All will be revealed at ABTT!"

Riggers who visit Doughty's stand will be able to discuss their specific needs with a member of the team while also viewing the new r

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14 March 2016

"International demand for our products has significantly expanded over recent years, which has given us a much deeper understanding of how global our markets really are," said Bob Luther, CEO of Lex Products Corp. "Lex Products Limited is an incredible opportunity for our company to deliver a wide range of trusted and durable technologies to a variety of customers."

Mike Scala, president of Lex Products Corp. added: "Lex Products' innovative Ever

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14 March 2016

Tait constructed a rolling MagDeck main stage that measured 25.6m wide by 12.1m deep, which provided full utilization of space underneath for storage of backline and band gear.

A custom, tongue-shaped MagDeck runway offsets the inflatable lips and teeth that are suspended above the band. Automated by 22 Tait Smart Winches, the massive lip is made from an inflatable printed fabric and measures 24.4m wide by 3m deep by 9.1m high and weighs 270 kg.

Scenically carved, painted lip she

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14 March 2016

Triple E will be demoing its new rearfold accessory and the TDRIVE motor both for Unibeam and Unitrack, the SDRIVE will be shown for the first time at ABTT, the multi-motor controller and its simple plug and play Wireless TracDrive unit, which attaches to the XLR socket on all Triple E motors and enables cable-free operation.

The company - which has a 30-year history of inventing engineering solutions for the entertainment industry - will also be debuting its totally new website showcasing its product lines and enabling customers and distributors to obtain instant quotes for any of the company's six main track systems including U shapes and perimeter tracks.

"We're inviting th

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14 March 2016

Ilfracombe, Devon-based drapes, starcloth, LED and visual effects specialist S+H has invested in a large quantity of these new LED panels which are very light in weight at just 4.5 Kgs per panel and 9.5 Kgs per square metre, which is made up from two panels. They are also quick to deploy and exceptionally user-friendly.

This multi-purpose 12 mm pitch product has been specially developed for S+H and is manufactured in China to their spec.

Holmes first used the S+H screen last year, just after the first batch was delivered, for the Kim Wilde tour, and was so impressed he decided to use it again when Steve Hackett went out.

The current Steve Hackett tour design

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14 March 2016

Triple E's managing director David Edelstein - who founded the company in 1984 to supply the entertainment industry with mechanical products to aid the assembly and construction of stage scenery - is chairing the debate alongside prominent theatre design consultant Andy Hayles from Charcoalblue, arts and capital projects consultant Simon Harper, rigging expert Chris Higgs, and industry PR Sarah Rushton-Read of The Fifth Estate Ltd.

All five will speak at the event, highlighting their own experiences of either specifying the right equipment for projects, and / or the ongoing fight against counterfeit goods and how it is and will continue to a

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14 March 2016

Entec made a major investment in the latest Clay Paky moving lights - buying 38 Alpha Spot QWO 800s and 20 Sharpy Washes - to ensure that Tutchener had exactly the creative tools he wanted for the tour, which plays 72 concerts in 65 cities and has already included a six night sold-out run at London's Royal Albert Hall.

It's the first time that Entec has worked with Knopfler, but Tutchener has designed his lighting since 2000. He and production manager Kevin Hopgood have both used Entec before on various projects and decided that they were the right company for delivering a classy lighting solutio