UK - Showsec continued its long-term partnership with the 2010 International Live Music Conference. Communication was a recurring theme as company directors sat on three expert panels debating issues and discussing best practice.

The four-day London conference began with a production day, attended by several hundred international suppliers to venue, tours and festivals. Showsec managing director Mark Harding participated in a panel about how to deal with emergency incidents arising from inclement weather.

Every year there are a significant number of casualties caused by bad weather related incidents at outdoor events and members of the panel recounted personal instances and experiences as to how to avoid or overcoming these. Responding to questions from members of the audience, Harding explained the value of effective planning and communications infrastructures from managing s

UK - Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-awaited continuation of the story of The Phantom of the Opera has finally arrived in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre and fans have been looking forward to the revival of all the principal characters in a world of new hope and old obsessions.

The story unfolds at the turn of the 20th century in Phantasma, a fabulous showground in Coney Island, New York - home to freaks and entertainers. Bob Crowley's set and costumes combine the colours and thrills of the fair with the dark longing and macabre mania of the Phantom. A series of projections on layered tabs creates an immersive experience that opens up elaborate illusions of space and dimension, reality and fantasy, past and present.

The Really Useful Group, producers of the show, approached Stage Technologies and Delstar Engineering for the automation system. The Stage Technologies group

UK - In a world first for the entertainment rigging industry, PLASA Events has announced the launch of the PLASA International Rigging Conference, to be held alongside two days of PLASA 2010, at Earls Court, London on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 September.

The aim of the conference, the first of its kind in the world, is to provide a unique specialist forum that will bring together entertainment rigging companies, riggers, venue operators, tour and event production managers and more. It is the latest industry-specific forum to be presented by PLASA Events and reflects the PLASA organisation's stated intent to reinvest in the entertainment and installation technology industries and deliver bespoke industry relevant events.

Chris Higgs of Total Solutions Group, consultant on the conference, comments: "This is one of those ideas that when you mention it, everyone says 'what a f

USA - In February 2010, a team of world-class instructors and about 60 participants from all over the United States and Canada travelled to Midland, Texas to attend Tomcat's Hoist and Truss workshop or the Rigging and Truss workshop.

The Hoist and Truss workshop featured the disassembly and reassembly of a one ton Lodestar, a Prostar as well as advanced troubleshooting with Dave Carmack of Columbus McKinnon. Dave Sowa (ETCP certified electrician and formerly of Tomcat USA) led a discussion on control systems and conducted demonstrations of load testing. Instruction was rounded out by Dana Bartholomew of Fisher Technical Services, who gave instruction and demonstrations on automation.

G. Anthony Phillips, of RigRider Rigging Services and ETCP certified rigger and instructor taught safe rigging practices and principles while Morgan Neff gave instruction on fall protection practi

UK - Lighting rental company HSL and automation specialist Kinesys recently collaborated to stage a two-day Technical Training Workshop on Kinesys' systems at HSL's HQ in Blackburn.

Designed to work as a one or two day course to suit all levels of interest, the response was "extremely positive", and all the places were filled predominantly with working riggers. Some also had lighting experience and were keen to further their knowledge of the system from a creative production angle so automation can be worked in to future visual designs.

HSL's Mike Oates was delighted with the results. "We'll definitely be running further Kinesys training in the future. The demand for knowledge is certainly there and we could have filled this course over again with no problem. I also feel very confident that I now have access to a pool of crew who understand the workings and capa

Germany - In addition to its Space Roof, Prolyte has lined up a broad spread of exhibits for Prolight&Sound this week.

Products from Truss, Stage DEX, Barriers, Theatre products and Prolyft, will be represented. There will also be a new line up of rigging hardware and controls. The D75T truss, Snake Gate Barrier and the Power Fly winch will be unveiled.

Additionally, Prolyte will announce details of limited period price reductions.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Hoist UK is now offering customers The Best of All Worlds through its distribution/partnership agreements with entertainment industry brand leaders JR Clancy, Niscon and Verlinde.

The group will be Silver sponsors of the International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference, just before the ABTT Theatre Show and during the show, technical representatives from The Best of All Worlds group will be available to discuss requirements.

Hoist UK offers services such as the distribution of entertainment products to individuals, companies and end users. The Hoist UK project team will integrate products from their partners' ranges with equipment and services of its own design to create a "complete project solution". Hoist UK will design, manufacture, install, load test and commission solutions to suit needs under their banner of Safety Above All

UAE - Al Laith Events Services - the new division of Dubai based Al Laith Scaffolding - supplied a stage and bespoke roof system for Sting's show at the newly re-launched Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

This was the new division's first major event and involved several technical challenges, the first of which was that the roof had to be built over the top of a 100m wide by 11m high permanently installed Mitsubishi LED screen.

The roof was made primarily out of Serious Stages' Space truss to Atlantic Enterprises' and structural engineer Dragan Kuzamanov's method statement.

The cantilevered roof elevation measured 25m wide and overhung the stage just in front of the screen by 19m, with 16m protruding at the back supported by a scaffolding 'bird-cage', cable stays to a seven king poles at the top and 84 tonnes of concrete ballast down below stored in seven stillages at the bottom o

USA - The initial group of ETCP Certified Riggers are due to recertify this year with electricians following in 2011. To maintain their certification all ETCP Certified Technicians must accumulate renewal credits which include continued training and professional development.

ETCP's Training Recognition Programmes are designed to assist certifcants in finding quality training opportunities. ETCP has just implemented a new designation, ETCP Recognised Training Provider, to accommodate organisations which offer multiple courses. The total fee for all submitted programmes is $2500. Organisations interested in having only a single course recognized may apply to have their course become a Recognised Training Programme for a fee of $1000. Recognition and fees are valid for two years for either designation.

There are several benefits to having courses recognised by ETCP. Certified Tec

UK - In order to promote the Honey Monster family of food Stage One was asked by experiential marketing agency, Hotcow, to create a themed 'Monster' truck to both raise brand awareness and reinforce the public's latent fondness of the Honey Monster.

"The conversion of the original truck, an iconic 1970's ex-army Land Rover 101, was a huge challenge," said Neil Franklin, head of interpretation for Stage One. "But by forming a close working partnership with Hotcow we were able to provide a solution to meet the aspirations of the client."

The process was, however, far more complex than it appears and throughout the conversion the design of the truck was constantly evolving, requiring Stage One to draw on their extensive experience to offer and incorporate design solutions. The conversion included extra lighting, panelling, graphics and a roof hatch, and drew o

UK - This year's PLASA Focus sees GDS (Global Design Solutions) exhibit a number of new, innovative products, including additions to its successful LiteWare and CueSystem ranges.

GDS will showcase the newest addition to the LiteWare range, LiteWare HO (High Output). Following the success of LiteWare wireless RGB uplighter, launched in 2009, LiteWare HO is a high output version offering 80Watts of LED power. Designed to be completely compatible with the existing LiteWare range, the LiteWare HO product is the same footprint as the standard version and is calibrated to deliver colour-matched output.

Also at the show is the new TCP-IP CueSystem a Networked cue light system which launches at ProLight + Sound this week. In an industry first, with the ever-increasing trend towards completely networked show control and lighting systems, the TCP-IP CueSystem bridges the gap for stage m

UK - Rycote has appointed a new sales & marketing manager. Based at Rycote's headquarters in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Stefano Pucello is now responsible for all Rycote sales nationally and internationally, replacing Gabby Davies, who left the company at the end of last year to complete her PhD.

"It's an exciting time to join Rycote," comments Italian-born Pucello, who has been settled in the UK for 12 years and previously worked in the wire and cable industry. "The company's new Universal Studio Mount redefines the concept of the low-noise recording microphone suspension, and, at well under the price of a typical dynamic recording mic, has affordable mass appeal to anyone who uses microphones, whether they're recording in a back bedroom or AIR Studios. That's a big new sales area for the company to service, in addition to the windshield market, where Rycote has al

UK - Bristol Fashion Week returns to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway on 25-28 March through. Stage Electrics has supplied two of its high resolution 6mm LED screens to its client Prupim, for the event.

This year's fashion show, hosted by TV fashion stylist Mark Hayes and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, is set to be filled with glamour, together with a mix of this season's new fashion trends on the Catwalk. The event will also include expert style advice and beauty treats for those who attend.

Over the duration of the event, Stage Electrics has supplied two bright, 4.5x4.5m ground supported, high performance LED Screens. One screen is being used as the backdrop for the catwalk, situated in the main show Marquee which has been built specifically for the show, on the North side of the Mall. A further screen has been assembled in the food court area, to provide entertainment for

UK - PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 - which takes place on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April at the Royal Armouries - is fast building its profile as a show for new products as well as networking, with a host of products launching in Frankfurt scheduled to make their first UK appearance in Leeds just a few weeks later. Among these are the latest developments from some of the 31 new exhibitors who have signed up to PLASA Focus since the first show last year - leading to a completely sold out event.

From the audio world, exhibitors include Allen & Heath, showcasing new products including the iDR-16 3U MixRack and iLive-R72, iLive software v1.6, Xone:PB, Xone:XD40 headphones and ZED-10 and ZED-10FX mini mixers; Ateis International with its new ECS-Teleconference unit echo cancellation system; Cloud Electronics' new MA60MEDIA combined mixer/amplifier/digital music player; Duran Audio's AXY

USA - Geoff Stock, a dealer project manager with J. R. Clancy, has passed the exam in the Entertainment Technician Certification Programme (ETCP) for Theatre Rigging. Stock is now an ETCP-certified rigging professional.

The certification indicates expert proficiency in the use of counterweight, mechanical, and hydraulic systems installed in theatres. ETCP riggers also understand the health and safety issues involved in the use of theatre rigging, as well as Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) requirements for the use, maintenance and inspection of rigging.

Stock, who came to J. R. Clancy in 2008, is the third rigging professional on the Clancy staff to earn ETCP certification. Formerly a project manager with Grand Stage Company, the Midwestern production house, Stock works directly with dealers and oversees the in-house completion of their projects. Most recently

UK - People taking part in The Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile were left in no doubt that they had arrived thanks to Sunbaba's site branding which included a massive 925m² of PVC and Ultramesh, 570m² of Correx and 30 Knitted Polyester Flags for client Limelight Sports.

The Sunbaba team worked with Limelight Sports to produce the functional signage and gantry branding across the 16 headline cities in England and Northern Ireland.

The branding included start and finish line arches created using PVC panels. Eight of the 16 cities were supplied with PVC panels that were welded together to create double sided banners where the gantry acted as a frame. In other instances single sided panels were used as a gantry wrap.

Directional signage highlighting the running route, VIP areas, water distribution and recycling points were created using Correx. This is a lightweight, robust and w

France / Belgium - For its latest fashion show on 9 March, Chanel constructed an iceberg style runway in the Grand Palais in Paris. To prevent the iceberg from melting and flooding the fashionistas a giant fridge was placed over the 240-ton ice sculpture. Just before the show started the fridge was hoisted up in the air.

Wicreations of Tremelo, Belgium furnished all necessary equipment, engineering and people for the construction to take off. The fridge, a giant thermos was lifted by 14 0.5 T Varistar hoists. The two 40m lighting trusses that were mounted inside the box were lifted by 10 0.5 T zero speed lift-champ hoists. The major challenge was to synchronise all these hoists for the lift off to a height of 15m. All went according to plan, thanks to the Kinesys K2 3d software.

"As always we offered a complete motion control service," says Hans Willems, director of

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light has announced its appointment as the exclusive UK dealer for the RSC Lightlock, the moving light stabilisation device which won a PLASA Gold Award for Innovation when it was first previewed in 2008 and the Best Debuting Product Award when launched at LDI 2009.

Created by the Royal Shakespeare Company and manufactured by Total Structures, Lightlock is designed to open up new lighting and rigging possibilities by automatically damping the unwanted movement that occur when moving lights are rigged from short bars or trusses. Normally, the centrifugal forces caused by the moving light are transferred to the truss, which continues to oscillate long after the light has completed its movement so causing the light beam to sweep wildly around its target focus position.

Rigged between the light and the truss, Lightlock detects the movemen

USA - Eric McAfee, a member of the sales team at J. R. Clancy, brings his years as a theatre production professional, installer and project manager to bear on his new position as domestic sales manager.

In his new role, McAfee will supervise all US sales of Clancy rigging systems, working closely with specifiers, dealers, and end users to determine the best rigging solution their each projects.

Beginning his career as a technical director, first for a cultural centre on Staten Island and later at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Centre, he followed his early experience with more than five years as a rigging installer with BMI Supply. He joined the Clancy staff in 1999 as a dealer project manager and became an ETCP Certified Theatre Rigger with the first offering of the exam.

(Jim Evans)

UK - A.C. Special Projects has provided comprehensive lighting and rigging systems for two separate performance areas at Buckinghamshire New University's recently opened £40 million learning complex, the Gateway.

Designed by RMJM Architects and built by BAM Construction, the building is part of an extensive programme of rebuilding and refurbishment at the institution. Production-based degree courses benefiting from the new Gateway teaching facilities include Performing Arts (Film, TV & Stage) and Film and Television Production.

Having previously provided the lighting system for the University's Students' Union venue, The White Room, which is also used for teaching, A.C. Special Projects was commissioned by BAM Construction to supply and install equipment for the new performance facilities. The company also assisted with the systems' specification.

For the green-screen

UK - Continuing its long and successful relationship with console manufacturer DiGiCo, 5 Star Cases is supplying flight cases for their latest console - the SD9, which was launched at the Prolight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt.

The partnership started with the case design and build for the SD7 in late 2007, and has continued through DiGiCo's SD8, SD8-24, D5 and D1 editions - and now with the SD9.

Ten special versions of the case were fabricated to coincide with the SD9's launch, alongside a standard issue 'production' version. The production model has the additional facility for using optional VESA screen mounts on either side of the console.

As on the SD8 models, a pull-out keyboard drawer and a rear-hinged access flap are included as standard. Colour matched rubber handle grips and the usual DiGiCo branding add further visual impact to the case.

David Webster, DiGiCo's m

USA - Florida State University (FSU) has become the repository for roughly15,000 project and product drawings that represent 100 years of history, produced by engineers at J. R. Clancy.

J. R. Clancy presented the vast assemblage of materials to the FSU School of Theatre on 31 March at the opening of the USITT Stage Expo in Kansas City, MO. FSU will make this collection of documents accessible to students, historians, and others who may research the development of theatre rigging.

Particularly fascinating are the drawings that tell the story of a critical period in the company's history, during the transition to motorised rigging. Beginning in the 1960s, Clancy manufactured the synchronous point hoist and early 'package hoists', precursors to the motorised hoists that are so popular today.

The university projects that the archive will be available in digitised form on the FSU

USA - Users of J. R. Clancy's iRigging app - the Apple iPhone/iPod Touch app that provides critical data to rigging installers and operators - can now download a free app update.

The iRigging app delivers instant information about wire rope, batten loading, arbors, stage ropes, motors, fabrics, fleet angles, and more. Derived from J. R. Clancy's slide rule, the app provides all the data required for proper installation and operation of manual and motorized rigging.

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - ShowTex Netherlands will supply all stage drapes, decorative fabrics, curtain tracks and motion control systems for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 semi-finals and grand final on 29 May.

this annual event will be broadcast live on television and the internet from the Telenor Arena in Oslo, Norway. 39 countries will take part in the contest won last year by Norway's Alexander Rybak.

Thousands of meters of flame retardant fabrics, from basics like black Molton CS masking drapes to some of the most innovative special effects textiles will provide a backdrop for the performances. Show hosts will also be reporting from the venue's green room which will be covered in ShowTex dimensional flame retardant fabric.

ShowTex's Marjon Franken comments: "ShowTex provided stage decoration and masking drapes for many of the previous Eurovision shows over the ye

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