Pharos - Leaderboard - May 2024
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Rigging / Staging

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Rwanda - Unusual Rigging faced a number of challenges when they were briefed to provide the rigging for the Global Citizen Move Afrika event at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, on 6 December.
This event, organised by Done & Dusted, was the first event in a five-year large-scale effort to pioneer a first of its kind international music touring circuit throughout the African continent.
Sam Carter, senior production rigger, Unusual explained: “This event was a pretty big deal - not just as a music gig but as an initiative which hopes to help expand the industry in the region. Each year, we are pleased to work with some local people, demonstrating what we do, how we do it and hopefully, by giving some training to these guys, we’re giving them the tools to develop their own entertainment industry.”
One of the first things that Sam and the team had to deal wit

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UK - Pearce Hire has shared the news of the passing of team member and friend, John Huson.
“John dedicated over 20 years to Pearce Hire and was an invaluable part of the team. His deep knowledge and love for lighting and event technology, coupled with his skills in the digital world made him an exceptional part of the team.
Beyond his technical expertise, John will be remembered for his unique ability to inject humour into every situation, brightening even the most challenging times. His quick wit and warm personality made him not just a colleague, but a cherished friend and he will truly be missed by us all.
As we remember John, our thoughts are with his family whom he was extremely proud of and loved enormously.
If you would like to share your memories of John with the family then please use this form
Leeds - Main Banner - Apr24

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UK - TAF has officially opened its new office and warehouse dedicated to serving customers in the UK and Ireland.
Located in Walsall, West Midlands, TAF UK includes members of the TrussLite UK team, who have come on board to provide TAF’s large and small customers with their extensive knowledge and experience in the UK’s events & exhibitions sector.
“As a result, TAF UK hits the ground running in the UK & Ireland market with firmly established reliability, customer service and expertise provided by Trusslite over the years to their loyal customer base. In turn, further driving home the fact that TAF is a brand you can fully trust and rely on,” says the company.
In keeping with TAF’s ‘Truss on Time’ promise, TAF UK will maintain a full stock of products directly in the UK, offering same day and next day deliveries. TAF UK offers a full rang

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UK - Unusual Rigging has dealt with a fair few strange and, well, unusual, requests over the years. So when Gary Beestone was brought on board as technical director for Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions’ Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Unusual was chosen for the production’s complex rigging.
“Bringing Stranger Things to the stage is incredibly ambitious and challenging,” explained Gary. “The Unusual team and I are old friends, having worked on some pretty major events and productions over the years. I knew they were really the only sensible choice for this show and so engaged them to design, engineer, fabricate and install all rigging including specialist custom rigging for the production.”
With the original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne & Kate Trefry, this new production, based on the Netflix Series, takes audiences b

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UK - The 2023 ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform winner was revealed on Thursday 1 February in a ceremony at the annual ALPD and White Light New Technology Showcase in the Embassy Theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
This annual industry event features the latest in lighting technology and felt like an appropriate opportunity to speak on the Virtual Ideas Platform and its winner, whose innovative idea is now being developed by Triple E.
Presented by ABTT co-chair Mig Burgess and introduced by platform developer Charles Haines, David Ripley was awarded the ABTT Hook Clamp Award and Certificate for his winning idea, The Counterweight Caddy.
The Counterweight Caddy is a method of storing weights and addressing the manual handling issues associated with work on the loading gallery.
Speaking of his award win, Central’s Head of Technical and Pr

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UK - LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) has partnered with Handle Freelance Solutions, The Back Lounge and UK LIVE Event Freelancers Forum to launch a survey, The Hidden Side of Freelancing 2024, to understand and identify the changes required to improve the experience of freelancers who are crucial to the success of the live music industry.
The new survey will explore pay transparency and the personal experiences of freelancers at live music events. It aims to help freelancers understand their true value and benchmark their own experience whilst also celebrating what makes live music a great industry for freelancers. The results will then be assessed, culminating in a publicly available report that will be published in April 2024.
Industry organisations such as Entourage Pro, Production Futures, NOWIE, Rego, and Power of Events are all key sup

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Europe - This year’s ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) show was a special one for Truss Aluminium Factory (TAF). On 30 January, the first day of the exhibition, the company revealed its new TAF logo.
The new image was also featured in a special logo reveal video released that same day on TAF’s social media channels and website, as well as in the TAF newsletter and on industry media websites. Going hand-in-hand with the redesigned logo was news of TAF’s new strategic direction as ‘The Factory’.
The teaser campaign highlighted ‘a truss brand you know’ and a factory that’s ‘behind much of the well-regarded truss on the market’.
“The redesigned logo not only serves as the new face of the brand, but also as a symbol of its evolution as a leading truss manufacturer and new strategic direction as The Factory,” says the Czechia-based company that

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UK - PLASA Focus Leeds is gearing up for another successful year at the Royal Armouries from 14-15 May 2024, and you can now register for your free entry badge.
Attracting over 2,000 visitors, the popular regional event is known for connecting professionals with lead names in the entertainment technology industry across two friendly days of networking and discovery.
Boasting a fully booked show floor, PLASA Focus Leeds will feature 150+ brands in pro audio, AV, lighting, rigging, and staging. Attendees will have the chance to closely examine new products and engage in face-to-face discussions with potential suppliers.
Lighting professionals can look forward to meeting Ambersphere, Avolites, ChamSys, Chauvet Professional, Entedi, ETC, GLP UK, Prolight, Robe UK, TMB, and Vari-Lite.
Top quality pro audio is also on offer from Audio-Technica, Bose Professiona

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Spain - Tempest launched its latest rental and staging projector enclosure system, Fly, at ISE 2024. Fly’s innovative chassis folds flat into less than half its volume for compact shipping and storage. Fly enables rapid setup and teardown, with minimal tools, saving on time and labour.
Weighting in at just over 20kg (44lbs), Fly is less than one quarter the weight of a standard Tempest Typhoon rental enclosure. Fly is available in four models and is compatible with a wide variety of projectors up to 50k lumens, including all the most popular models in the equipment rental space.
Fly comes with all the usual Tempest protection measures, against airborne pollutants, weather, heat, cold and condensation. Fly also features an AR-coated port glass door, that opens without tools, making last-minute lens changes quick and painless. For extra-long lenses, a deeper Lens Exte

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UK - Stage Electrics Group has acquired specialist mechanical inspection and testing company, Just Rigging & Inspections Scotland. The acquisition strengthens the group's existing mechanical inspection, maintenance, testing and reporting capabilities across the UK and enhances the services it provides to the education, entertainment and events sectors.
On sharing the news with colleagues, Dave Coull, chief executive officer of Stage Electrics Group, told them, "Additional to our continuing, solid growth as a group organically, I'm delighted to announce the acquisition of Just Rigging & Inspections Scotland, which further accelerates our growth trajectory.
“The addition of Just Rigging & Inspections Scotland not only complements the existing services we're able to provide our valued customers, but it also represents an opportunity to expand the services

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UK - Build solutions specialist Star Live has invested in a QC-Check safety inspection system from Data Strategy following its recent investment from LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group. QC-Check embeds safety into the processes of Star’s new lifting division which underpins the safety and compliance issues for the company’s four pillars of business.
QC-Check streamlines the process of professional electrical appliance and cable testing in bulk, with full electrical-safety test records referenced to an individual asset level. For Star Live’s purposes however, QC-Check’s ability to facilitate the equivalent tracking and maintenance of data from the new heavy duty mechanical testing equipment, made it a pivotal part of the plan.
Star Live technical director, Roger Barrett, maintains, “QC-Check has absolutely transformed our testing capabilities here. It’s been

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UK - Owing to the demand in services, Artistic Solutions has appointed a regional hire manager to oversee operations north of the border in Scotland. Neil McCallum is based in Fife, and his primary role will be to continue to support clients into 2024 and beyond.
Neil joins Artistic Solutions with considerable experience, with a strong background in live theatre working with both professional and amateur organisations. His expertise will cover hire, sales and installations.

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USA - BNW, a leading production rigging company based in New York City, founded and run by Tony Bonilla, successfully executed the challenging lift of the Sonic Sphere at The Shed utilising Eilon Engineering’s Ron StageMaster wireless load cells to ensure precision and safety.
Bonilla, with over two decades of rigging experience, recognised the need for higher calibre rigging in the industry following years of work on concert tours, Broadway musicals, the circus and car industrials. The realisation led to the establishment of BNW in 2012, a company that has since become synonymous with safe and effective rigging solutions in and around New York City. An ETCP-certified rigger since 2005, Bonilla also oversees rigging at Cipriani venues and has imparted his extensive knowledge to aspiring riggers over the years through seminars and teaching.
The Sonic Sphere, a 65ft d

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Europe - Full-service video and lighting company 4Wall has launched its first product guide, addressing UK and European markets and giving clients access to the company’s complete catalogue of products.
The product guide, which is currently available online, features a full index of the company’s video, lighting and rigging inventory and everything in between. You can also discover additional information about the impressive additional support the company offers, including an in-house innovation department, CAD design service, sustainability and production spaces available to hire.
Darren Poultney, managing director of EMEA at 4Wall, said: “We’re so excited to launch our first ever product guide to the market, an incredible resource that showcases our extensive range of products all in one place”. Poultney continued, “This guide is not just a handy brochu

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Sweden - XM Automation started the new year on a high by successfully demonstrating its XMove software controlling a number of automated bars in an existing theatre system. The XM team were able to show how easy it could be to upgrade the control front-end without requiring costly upgrades to the existing hardware or electrical installation.
The demonstrations attracted more than 50 Swedish theatre technical directors, technicians and consultants, all keen to see how XMove, the new front-end software could be used to run an existing system with minimal changes to the back-end. According to one attendee,“This event is too interesting to miss.”
The ease of use and intuitive, familiar feel of the software also surprised many attendees, who were able to try programming and running even quite complex moves for themselves after just a short introductory tutorial.

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Spain - HOF will debut the PG3 NEO Design Stand. The set contains all the necessary items to realise countless installation variants: the universal carrier enables lighting or small loudspeakers to be mounted. There is also a universal plate to mount moving lights, projectors etc. and a TV mounting plate. Speakers can be mounted centrally using a spigot.
The set is rounded off by a display mount to hold two displays with a maximum surface area of up to 1.5 m² per display (back to back) and a display holder that can be adjusted in four angles (e.g. for previewers or touchscreens).
The PG3 NEO Design Stand can be built in 11 different heights up to a maximum height of 3200mm with a permissible load capacity of 60kg. So in a nutshell: one stand fits all!
The surfaces are powder-coated in black. The steel base plate is used to mount the extensions in three differen

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Spain - Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) will return to Barcelona (30 January - 2 February 2024), billed as ‘the most comprehensive exhibition for the pro AV and systems integration sectors and is set to raise the bar once again’.
Mike Blackman, managing director, Integration Systems Events says: "Without a doubt, ISE is your ‘destination for innovation’, and we will prove that this is not just a claim. With more than 1,200 confirmed exhibitors and the biggest ever show floor space, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to discover innovations at ISE 2024.
“In addition, our comprehensive content programme gives a platform to more than 100 of the industry's most innovative representatives. And don't miss our keynotes. These creative minds will impressively demonstrate how AV is shaping our daily lives."
Key highlights for ISE 2024 include:
Se

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UK - The festive period is a busy time for the riggers at Unusual. The team certainly has its hands full with Christmas lights being hung in Regent St, more than 20 pantomimes taking place across the UK and a big Christmas musical on the West End.
Based on the Hollywood hit movie starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, Elf opened at London’s Dominion Theatre on 15 November for a limited eight-week run, with production manager Stuart Tucker bringing the Unusual team on board to handle the rigging requirements.
Stuart commented: “This is quite an involved show from a rigging perspective as the venue is actually quite tight for space. With everything from drift ladder beams off fly bars for lighting and rigging for flying pieces overhead to Kinesys, storage hoists, front of house trusses for snow machines, etc.”
With drawings completed by Unusual’s Emily Egl

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UK - Focusrite plc has announced the acquisition of UK-based Sheriff Technology Limited, trading as OutBoard, the company behind both TiMax immersive audio solutions and OutBoard stage rigging motor control products and PAT4 enterprise electrical safety testing. They will join the Audio Reproduction division of the Focusrite Group alongside Martin Audio, Optimal Audio, and Linea Research.
Founded in 2001 by Robin Whittaker and David Haydon, OutBoard is a UK-based company specialising in innovative entertainment technologies, which it sells globally. Operating under two sub-brands - TiMax and OutBoard - its products are vital for professionals in the audiovisual industry, particularly in live performances, event management, and the rapidly expanding sector of immersive sound experiences.
TiMax are pioneers in immersive sound, specialising in innovative audio and show co

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UAE - In November 2023, aviation companies and organisations descended on the new Dubai World Central aerotropolis for the biennial Dubai Airshow.
The 645,000sq.m site, which features a purpose-built 42,870sq.m exhibition hall - about the size of seven football fields welcomed some 1,046 exhibitors from 60 countries and drew a trade attendee intake of 60,692. Such a massive event required an equally massive amount of rigging, with Tarsus Group contracting Unusual Rigging and Engineering to handle the task.
“In total we provided more than 900 rigging points - 750 of which are hoists, along with more than 2000 metres of truss”, said Unusual rigger, Khalid Ali. “The 2023 airshow has broken all records for us, with only the 2009 event coming close in terms of scale.”
URE has been contracted to provide the rigging for both the Dubai Airshow and MEBAA for over

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UK - Celebro is a global broadcast TV company that rents out production and studio space around the world. All studios are located in prime city centre locations in Washington DC, New York and London - and all boast quality broadcasting equipment, including a wide range of kit from Doughty Engineering.
The London studio recently moved to a new location - from Portland House near Oxford Circus to the old Hospital Club in Covent Garden. And, because the team are such big fans of Doughty, they decided to take all their kit with them.
Wesley Dodd, CEO, Celebro explained; “We have always had Doughty rails as part of our system and in Portland House, the ceilings weren’t particularly high so they did the job. However, in our new location, there was already an amazing Doughty Lighting Rail which was put in by the previous owners. This was essentially made from Doughty sca

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UK - Hosted in the Heineken Suite at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate stadium - the Stage Electrics Showcase will feature more than 25 of the leading manufacturers of lighting, audio, rigging, pyrotechnics and special effects. The showcase on 25 January presents an opportunity for visitors to get hands-on experience with the latest products from exhibitors, and to discuss their needs with representatives from all the brands.
The Stage Electrics Showcase is free to attend, registration is now open. Delegates who sign up to attend the Showcase before 20 January, will be eligible for free car parking at the venue (normally £7.50). The showcase is open 2pm-7pm, with a seminar from Prolyte planned for 1pm. A pyrotechnics display will take place during the event, with the opportunity to discuss your pyrotechnic needs with the team from Le Maitre.
Stage Electrics sales director,

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Slovakia - HOF has announced Adam A Syn as its new sales partner for Slovakia. Adam A Syn was founded in 1990 and has many years of experience in the distribution of professional event technology. The company works with TV studios, theatres and congress halls, and more.
Dagmar Pastorkova, CEO of Adam A Syn, says: "We offer top products from well-known brands. We are impressed by the innovative and high-quality products of the MLT Pre Rig Truss series from HOF, which save a lot of time and space."
Edwin Duivelaar, export & sales manager at HOF, adds: "Adam A Syn is a major player on the Slovakian market. I am sure that the HOF products will be a successful addition to their existing portfolio and will help the company to be even more successful." Adam A Syn will mainly distribute the MLT Pre Rig Truss series.

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UK - Prolyte is set to collaborate with long-standing partner Stage Electrics, one of the UK's premier Prolyte suppliers, for two exclusive campus events in Glasgow and Birmingham this January.
Prolyte and Stage Electrics invite industry professionals to join these insightful events, helmed by Prolyte's expert, Eric Laanstra. With over 23 years of expertise, Prolyte's seasoned product manager, promises a profound exploration into the intricacies of rigging, trussing, and staging.
The Glasgow event takes place 23 January 2024 at RCS Glasgow; Birmingham’s venue is MAC Birmingham on 24 January.
Both events will feature a comprehensive lecture, offering attendees profound insights into Prolyte's cutting-edge rigging solutions.
These events present an opportunity for those seeking rigging or trussing solutions for their venues or to learn more about their curr
  1. TAIT plans central London location for New Year
  2. CDPQ makes major investment in Solotech
  3. Movecat changes name to Moveket
  4. Tim Otte joins the HOF sales team
  5. Elation, 4Wall and Paradox take Power Trip
  6. MCS adds equipment picking feature
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