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PLASA has produced a CD-ROM to provide information and promotional material to its members. The CD-ROM, which was mailed out to the membership before Chrsitmas, contains a wide range of information on PLASA and its activities, as well as a specially-commissioned industry video and image library from the PLASA Show, which members can use for their own promotional purposes.

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Following the elections for the Executive Committee at the end of last year, PLASA has welcomed two new members to its executive body - Tim Brown of Apple Sound and Tracey Patterson of Artistic Licence. Full details next issue . . .
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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Following our news in the last issue of the new members elected to the Executive Committee of PLASA, the internal election of the officer posts of chairman, vice-chairman and treasurer have been completed.

David Hopkins OBE, managing director of Audio Design Services, becomes the new chairman of PLASA, while Sammy DeHavilland (Dare Pro Audio) becomes vice-chairman and Tim Brown (Apple Sound) takes over from DeHavilland as treasurer.

Mick Hannaford, who stepped down as PLASA chairman at the end of 2002, had served in the role for three years, during which time he had overseen the introduction of PLASA’s programme of industry research, the expansion of PLASA’s service portfolio with the introduction of Ron Bonner (health and safety consultant) and Nicky Greet (training and development manager) to the PLASA head office staff, as well as the development of a strategic plan fo

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Sonia Friedman, currently the producer at the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), has created with ATG a new production company, Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP). ATG is the second largest theatre owning and managing group, with a portfolio of 19 theatres in the West End and the regions.

Friedman will retain her current role at ATG - producing and programming all the work at the New Ambassadors Theatre, as well as initiating a wide range of work for other theatres across the West End, UK and internationally. SFP will additionally take on responsibility for larger scale work including musicals and multiple media projects.

Friedman joined ATG in 1998, and relaunched the New Ambassadors Theatre in May 1999. Of the 22 shows that she has produced, co-produced or programmed, successes include Stones in His Pockets, Spoonface Steinberg, Krapp’s Last Tape with John Hurt, The Vag

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In the latest move to benefit its members, PLASA has appointed a full-time health and safety standards officer to provide advice and guidance to members on this increasingly important issue. Ron Bonner comes to the Association from his previous role as health and safety manager for a local hospital trust, where he had responsibility for health and safety management for 3,000 employees across two sites.

Ron’s career has been very much rooted in fire safety, beginning in 1972 when he began serving as an aircraft firefighter with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. In 1977, Ron joined the London Fire Brigade, where he spent 17 years, serving at Mill Hill, Tottenham and Stoke Newington fire stations. During this time, he attended a number of notable incidents, including the Kings Cross underground fire in 1987 and the Marchioness disaster on the Thames in 1989. After receiving a se

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Phil Ward identifies some of the key product launches at the December AES Show in New York

New York at the beginning of December is a sentimental place. Horse-drawn carriages trot fur-coated shoppers along 59th Street at Central Park South. Sesame Street’s Big Bird switches on the Christmas tree lights outside the Lincoln Centre. Tourists flock to Ground Zero. And AES delegates - at least the Americans - exhibit, buy, sell and discuss in detail ‘classic’ audio technology.

One whole section of this show was dedicated to ‘When Vinyl Ruled’, and offered tear-jerking insights into valve and lathe technology. Even away from this grotto, microphone and signal processor designs from the 1950s were on display, re-issued and repackaged with loving attention to detail.

Les Paul himself, who pioneered multitrack recording in the 1950s, figured in Gibson La

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The first major European installation by Los Angeles-based artist Hiro Yamagata. Photon 999 opened at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, at the end of last year. Yamagata worked with a team of over 30 specialists to realise the installation. 15 laser systems (from Tarm Showlaser, Times of Change and Dymax Special Effects), including four of Coherent’s new Viper lasers, are placed around the edge of a pool. These are projected to over 200 mirrors installed on 20m high JTE truss towers and Mylar holographic panels applied to the surface of the central walkway. The system is controlled by a custom software package designed by Laser Animation.

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The Wembley studio building that used to house CTS Studios is back in business as a recording facility after industry veteran Pete Fielder secured a lease on the premises, which he has re-opened under the name of Phoenix Sound.

The studio building is located close to Wembley Stadium and was due to be redeveloped as part of the overall stadium rebuild. However, when plans for a new stadium fell through, Fielder acquired the lease from Wembley plc with a view to securing the site’s future as a recording studio.

Fielder, a respected engineer and APRS board member who has extensive experience of the studio industry, told L&SI: "This is a large site that is already very popular with musicians and has plenty of potential as a studio complex. Although we are re-equipping from scratch, the actual studios and control rooms are already in place and will simply be re-decorated and ac

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James Eade has taken on the daunting task of being L&SI’s new technical editor, and so we thought you’d like to know a little more about him.

James is a qualified mechanical and electrical engineer who has been involved with lighting and sound systems since his schooldays. With various roles under his belt, including hire manager of a busy London AV rental house, and as project manager and systems designer for various large AV projects such as the Eagle Class cruise ships for Royal Caribbean and preliminary design work on High End Systems’ Catalyst, he has built an extensive knowledge of the industry.

He also lives near the PLASA office, which is why he really got the job, and has a big black labrador called Baz, who fetches the biscuits.

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There’s one further change to report for L&SI as we enter 2002 - fans of Ian Herbert’s regular Asleep in the Stalls column will be disappointed to learn that the column has come to the end of its 8-year run, although its author, Ian Herbert, will continue to contribute to the magazine on a regular basis.

We would like to thank Ian for providing his amusing, incisive and - above all - punctual Asleep in the Stalls columns over the years, and we look forward to his future contributions . . .

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Ken Achard, managing director of Peavey Electronics’ European subsidiary, received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science at a graduation ceremony which took place in London’s Barbican Centre at the end of last year.

Conferred on him by the University of Westminster, the award was presented by the chairman of the Court of Governors, Sir Alan Thomas. The degree was in recognition of Ken’s lifetime achievements in the music industry.A veteran of 38 years in the music business, he became an acknowledged authority on vintage guitars in the early seventies, publishing one of the first works of reference on the subject - The History and Development of the American Guitar - in 1978. A long-standing business and personal relationship with Hartley Peavey started in 1973 when Achard became one of the initial export distributors for American music and sound equipment manufactur

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The collaboration between the US theatrical equipment consultant, JR Clancy, and UK manufacturer of stage automation systems, Stage Technologies, has moved on another step with the signing of a formal agreement between the two companies.

This agreement, which covers land-based stage engineering installations in North America, was signed at the LDI 2001 exhibition in Orlando earlier this month, and cements a relationship that has been strengthening over a number of years. The companies first worked together in 1995 providing a complete 95-axis power flying system for the Teatre Nacional in Barcelona, Spain. More recently, JR Clancy provided the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City with an automated rigging system complete with a 45-axis Nomad control system.

Tom Young, vice-president of sales and marketing of JR Clancy, explained:

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PLASA Member SigNET AC has been named North East regional winner in the Trade Partners UK National Languages for Export Awards 2001, in the category for small business, sponsored by NCM credit Insurance. The company, which specializes in the design and manufacture of voice alarm, paging and background music systems, won the award for changing its approach to doing business in a number of export markets.

Richard Sice, marketing manager told L&SI: "In order to be more competitive in international markets we have taken a strategic approach to the use of our human resources and policies. We have taken steps to hire people with native language skills and also to employ UK graduates who have studied a foreign language. In addition, we are taking a fresh look at our marketing documents and have translated key brochures and leaflets."

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Lawrence Heron, until recently a motor control specialist with Out Board Electronics, has established his own company - Promanent Automation (International). The company, which will have offices in both the UK and South Africa, will act as consultant for, and supplier of, automation to the entertainment industry. Heron has recently completed his first project for Tell Tale Productions - the automation of a Christmas tree for the Tweenies Christmas show - and has a number of other projects in the pipeline.

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This month sees the first of a regular ‘Technical Focus’ section within the pages of Lighting&Sound International. The aim is to increase the technical content of the magazine, and introduce more equipment reviews and guides, discuss current engineering issues, standards and relevant health and safety topics.

With the entertainment industry becoming, by its very nature, increasingly more technology-based, as well as technologically innovative, L&SI is increasing its coverage to reflect these changes.

In this new section we aim to cover a product review each month, kicking off with an overview of the principal DSP products currently on the market today and aimed at distributed audio installations. Often, our reviews will be condensed for magazine production reasons, and so all the reviews will be obtainable in their entirety from the L&SI website at www.plasa.org/media. Th

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The UK sound equipment market is set to grow at a healthy 3.0% in 2002, according to a just published analysis from Plimsoll. This will only be good news for some though as growth will not be seen across the entire industry. Studying the latest figures from the largest 244 companies in the sound equipment industry, market analysts Plimsoll revealed that over a third of the industry may not see growth at all and could lose 16.6% of sales on average this year.

Adding to their distress, three quarters of these companies saw profits fall in 2001 and almost 62% are currently loss-making. Despite these factors, very few reduced staff and only 52% made attempts to reduce their asset base.

So who is set to keep grabbing market share in 2002? Plimsoll's First Edition names 68 companies that notched up an amazing 19.8% growth last year. Within this group, 17 companies individually increased sa

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Metier, the national training organisation for the arts and entertainment sector, is looking for 100 Yorkshire-based volunteers from the arts and entertainment sector to take part in its new ‘Learning Champion’ scheme. Individuals taking part in the scheme will be educated in learning and skills development in order to support and guide others through the training and development process. Learning Champions can be freelance or employed in the sector, working full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid.

Participants will have to undertake seven one-day training sessions on each of the following areas: Identify Development Needs; Plan Development; Coach; Mentor; Advise & Guide; Evaluate Development; Evaluate Your Own Work. In between training days, Metier will support participants in practicing the skills they are learning by working with learners. All training will be provided fr

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Following elections held at the tail-end of 2001, the Association has announced two new appointments to its executive committee. With effect from January 1st, Tim Brown of Apple Sound and Tracey Patterson of Artistic Licence have joined PLASA’s executive body.

The new places were made available by the departure of Paul Adams (PAI Group) and Paul Hinkly (LMC Audio) from the committee. Paul Adams stepped down at the end of 2001, having served on the committee for 11 years, including four years as chairman (1995-98) and three years as vice-chairman (1999-2001). Paul Hinkly, who took the decision not to re-stand for election at the end of 2001, had served on the committee for 18 months and had been a valued member of the team during that time. At the December 2001 meeting of the committee, PLASA Chairman Mick Hannaford acknowledged the valuable contributions that both men made to the

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Members of PLASA can now access useful information through an online Services News section on the main PLASA website. This recent initiative is a web-based resource which provides members with a head-start over non member companies since it offers updates on Association activities, as well as highlighting overseas trade opportunities, key resources, project leads and a Q&A section for common business issues. Members also receive regular monthly e-mails summarising recent developments and offering links to the relevant information.

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If you’re a UK company planning to exhibit at NSCA, then it’s worth talking to PLASA. Thanks to an arrangement with Trade Partners UK, the Association has secured funding for UK exhibitors at the show, which takes place from 25-27 April 2002 in Denver, Colorado.

This is the first time that the Association has received funding for this event: eligible participants will receive 60% of stand and constructions costs, up to a limit of £2,300. To benefit from the grant companies must be registered in the UK and exhibit predominately UK products and services. You don’t have to be a PLASA member to benefit. If you are interested in NSCA call Norah Phillips on 01323 410335 or e-mail norah@plasa.org. The deadline for return of application forms is 28th February 2002 so don’t delay.

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The latest Directory of Members is about to be published. This annual publication, which will be mailed shortly, offers detailed information on all PLASA Members, promoting the range of products and services offered by the membership to the entertainment and venue technology industry at large.

Over 11,000 directories are printed: in addition to being distributed to the full mailing list of L&SI (which includes architects, consultants, designers, distributors, engineers, installers, hire companies, production crews and venue managers), the Directories are also despatched to all British embassies worldwide and circulated widely at industry trade shows and events.

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Following our news item last week concerning the death of Paul Twist, we now have details of the funeral arrangements. The funeral will be held at midday on Friday February 22nd and Paul will be buried after a funeral mass at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Henfield, Sussex.

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More than 500 people from all areas of the live event production industry attended Total Production magazine’s first-ever Awards event at the Hilton London Metropole, London W2, on the evening of Wednesday 30 January.

The 90-minute awards ceremony was hosted by radio & TV personality Mike Read and featured live entertainment from The Commitments, snooker star-turned-recording artist Peter Ebdon, rising all-girl pop act the Four Tunes, and multimedia dance outfit Future Vision Project.

And the winners were...

Live Production of the Year - Robbie Williams - Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs & Stadiums Tour

Best Production Manager - Bill Leabody

Best Tour Manager - Henry McGroggan

Best Front Of House Sound Engineer - Robbie McGrath

Best Monitor Engineer - John Roden

Best Sound Rental Company - SSE Hire

Best Lighting Designer - Nick Sholem

Best Lighting Rental Company - Bandit

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Designer and communicator Furneaux Stewart has entered the New Year with a healthy portfolio of work and several new account wins. The company, led by co-founder Laurie Stewart, is already working on several new high-profile projects this year, including an introductory exhibition for Syon House, Cardiff Castle's interpretation strategy and projects for the National Trust at White Horse Hill, Studland Bay and Lawrence of Arabia's home, Clouds Hill. The company is also the exhibition design consultancy for the new Acropolis Museum working with international architect Bernard Tschumi.

Within the automotive sector there are also some key projects ahead with the team, headed up by John Furneaux, looking forward to working with Skoda to create its stand for the Birmingham International Motor Show, in addition to major projects with Citroen and Bentley Motors. Ray Hole, architectural directo

  1. Who will be the Future Players in the UK Sound Industry?
  2. Behind the Scenes
  3. VFG Sold to Management
  4. Conference Launched to Cover Stage Technology
  5. grandMA makes UK theatre debut
  6. Angels in the Wings
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