The ABTT Fellowship, given only to individuals who have rendered significant service in the technical aspects of theatre, was announced at the Association's annual Christmas Party, hosted by ETC at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane last Friday.
On behalf of the Association, Thomas Mannings, English National Opera's Head of Technical and an ABTT Council member, commended Higgs, who it was felt particularly warranted the honour this year, due to his masterminding of the PLASA International Rigging Conference (September) - an event which created the first opportunity ever for riggers from throughout the world to gather and discuss common concerns.
Higgs, the author of two books on entertainment rigging and a regular contributor to trade journals, magazines and seminars, started work in the entertainment industry in 1973. Since then he has worked in most sectors, providing rigging and flying effects for drama, opera and ballet in both subsidised and commercial theatre, for television and for concert touring.
He holds the National Rigging Certificate at Level 3, is a member of the ABTT Safety Committee, the National Rigging Advisory Group, the British Standards Committee MHE3/13, the HSE Advisory Committee on Work at Height Training and the Safety Advisors' Group in Entertainment, as well as holding the post of Technical Associate of the National Theatre.
At the same event, Roger Fox, chairman of the ABTT's Historical Research Committee, also acknowledged the achievements of Alan Cohen and awarded him an ABTT Honorary Membership, for his steadfast service to the Association.
(Lee Baldock)
