South Africa - DWR Distribution's first shipment as the official exclusive Prolyte distributor in South Africa was delivered to MGG Productions on 11 May 2012. It so happened that Prolyte's Paul-Erik Haseloop was visiting South Africa at the same time and could personally deliver, along with Robert Izzett, three H30V- 3m circle trusses.

The new circles, along with the supply of Robe moving lights and accessories will be used for a rental at the Joburg Theatre, where the spectacular Grand Cirque Adrenaline show will run from 23 May 23 to 17 June.

(Jim Evans)

Italy - Enrico Brignano is one of the biggest stars in Italy and his tour Tutto suo padre (Like his father) he has been packing theatres all over Italy. The three-hour show blends elements of cabaret, comedy and also music into a fully rounded evening of entertainment. The music, in fact, is provided by a high-calibre 18-piece orchestra.

The demands all this places on the sound reinforcement system are twofold: the highest possible level of intelligibility - even in the furthest rows of the auditorium - and the concert sound performance of a dedicated high-end system. The task of reconciling these difficult and apparently conflicting objectives throughout the tour was entrusted to the Mariano Comense-based sound reinforcement company, Backstage P.A., which has at its disposal a comprehensive array of Electro-Voice components.

To satisfy the acoustic needs of venu

Australia - Anolis ArcPad 48 LED fixtures are internally lighting artist Stuart Green's gleaming and Droplet sculpture, a 6m tall 3m wide stainless steel work which has been installed on the corner of Furzer and Worgon Streets in the Phillip Woden district of Canberra, Australia.

Perth based Green was commissioned to create Droplet by the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Government. Its elegant curved and pleated shell - in the shape of a massive water droplet - is made from laser cut 316 marine grade stainless steel, and it has a quirky 10 degree tilt.

The idea is that the 'single strong object' can be easily interpreted from a distance .... with details and pierced intricacies available on closer viewing as people are drawn to it.

Lighting was integral to the sculpture from the start. It is a medium also previously explored by the artist in other works.

T

Norway - The monumental Oslo Opera House is home to the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet and a frequent venue for a variety of shows, concerts, and official functions. The huge 38,500 m2 (414,000 sq ft) building contains 1,100 rooms and features three world-class stages. The imposing main stage rivals the world's largest opera houses and incorporates under-stage machinery with load-bearing steel structures of gigantic proportions.

This environment is particularly challenging for radio systems and was until LumenRadio's CRMX technology arrived on the scene a white spot on the Opera House's signal distribution map. A selection of LumenRadio products has provided reliable DMX/RDM distribution to critical locations throughout this difficult area; supporting productions ranging from Puccini's La Bohème to Wagner's Tristan & Isolde.

Audun Bull-Hanssen at the Oslo Ope

Germany - A Jands Vista T2 is at the heart of the lighting control system at Friedrichsbau Varieté in Stuttgart, one of the most popular and influential variety show stages in Germany.

With a vibrant history dating back to the end of the 19th century, the theatre was re-opened in 1994 on its original site, which had been destroyed in World War II.

Friedrichsbau Varieté stages four of its own well known productions each year, featuring internationally acclaimed artists as well as new talents.

Awash with colour and dynamics, an eclectic mix of circus and performance skills merge contemporary and classic aesthetics, accompanied by the Friedrichsbau Varieté Orchestra. Each of these shows has two versions - long and short - and each performance run is between two and three months.

The Vista T2 lighting console was specified by Friedrichsbau Varieté's

UK - Adlib's audio division continued its touring success in the dance / dub step sector, supplying sound equipment and crew for the recent sold-out Professor Green spring UK tour - the popular UK rapper's first carrying a full production.

Adlib and Professor Green's paths have crossed numerous times since the MOBO, MTV Europe & NME award-winner exploded onto the scene in summer 2010 with his debut album Alive Till I'm Dead.

Production manager Trigger asked Adlib on board, with front-of-house engineer Pat Tunbridge requesting an L-Acoustics V-Dosc rig with a Midas Pro6 as his mixing desk of choice, following a great experience with it in Australia and Monitor engineer Ben Kingman chose to mix using a trusty Yamaha PM5D.

The tour started with rehearsals in London, then moved onto Dublin and Glasgow building up to a spectacular finale at Brixton Academy - enthusiastical

Lebanon - Two Midas PRO6 live audio systems supplied by Midas distributor of the year, Dubai-based NMK Electronics, have been installed in one of the Middle East's premier casinos, Jounieh's Casino du Liban, bringing the venue's total PRO6 count to three.

Tony Khoury, the casino's chief sound engineer since 1996, took delivery of his first PRO6 system in 2009 for the 1,800-capacity theatre space. "I chose the PRO6 then because I couldn't find the right warmth of sound in any other digital desk," says Khoury. "The Midas pre amps in the PRO6 provide really effective power and quality. I also found the PRO6 so easy to use; you can get to any zone really fast - it feels like I am working on one of the MIDAS analogue consoles, like a Heritage 3000."

Khoury was so delighted with the performance of his first PRO6 that when it came to upgrading the sound system in

South Africa - An upgrade to 10 Perspex pillars on the outside perimeter of the Vodadome at Vodacom, Midrand, was recently carried out by DWR Distribution. The fairly simple install has resulted in a major facelift for the venue.

Some years ago the pillars, each about 6m high, were supplied and erected by Just Sets. They were originally fitted with fluorescent tubing and the new idea was to convert to RGB LED technology. The units now have DMX control, which means the lighting operator within the venue is able to take control of the outside pillar lights and incorporate them into his show. A plug-in interface allows patching to the lighting console to enable chases and colour changes to each individual pillar.

"It's so much more advanced, the colours are richer and there are more applications," explained David Caddy, who until recently was technical manager at the Vo

USA - Clay Paky Sharpy fixtures, from Las Vegas-based Morpheus Lights, are giving Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball World Tour a new look.

The tour kicked off in the US this spring in support of The Boss's 17th studio album, Wrecking Ball. Springsteen's lighting designer Jeff Ravitz selected 16 Sharpy fixtures for his inventory after having seen them last fall.

"In putting Bruce's tour together I thought the Sharpys would be an excellent replacement for the lights we were using inside the set platforms to push through," he explains. "I thought they'd be a nice change with a really defined and distinct look. The Sharpys also allowed us to use some great gobo patterns".

When Ravitz added Sharpys the idea came up of using hazers to paint the air and enhance the lights' sharply-defined beams. Employing hazers - which are not all as singer-friend

UK - The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Matilda - The Musical began life at the Company's Stratford-Upon-Avon venue, the Courtyard Theatre, to rave reviews and sell-out audiences. Having transferred to London's Cambridge Theatre in November 2011, the production has continued its success, last month sweeping the boards at the Olivier Awards when it broke records and took home seven of the prestigious awards.

As well as the awards for best new musical; best actress in a musical (presented jointly to the four actresses in the title role) and best actor in a musical for Bertie Carvel's cross-dressing performance as tyrannical head teacher Miss Trunchbull; technical elements of the show were also awarded. Simon Baker took home the Olivier for Sound Design, whilst Rob Howell won for his Set Design and Peter Darling was awarded for his C

Philippines - Clay Paky has appointed RMB Lights and Sounds as its distributor in the Philippines. Serving the theatrical and television industry for 12 years, RMB is a wholesale provider of specialty lamps throughout the Philippines.

"By working alongside RMB, I am certain that Clay Paky will become an increasingly visible brand in the Philippine market and surrounding regions," said Massimo Bolandrina, Clay Paky sales manager for the region. "This relationship has come about as the result of RMB's regular use of Clay Paky products on a number of high profile projects in the region and the excellent product support the company offers to its clients."

Clay Paky's fixtures are no strangers to the Philippine entertainment industry. The manufacturer partnered with RMB Lights and Sounds in 2011 to bring Clay Paky's popular Sharpy fixture to several major. In 20

Iran - Midas' Iranian distributor Ertebat Sedaye Bartar Co has sold the first-ever PRO6 live audio system, together with a Klark Teknik DN9696 high definition audio recorder, to the country's leading rental company, Ardestani Brothers.

Company co-founder Hasan Ardestani is one of Iran's top FOH engineers, and the company provides sound systems for a variety of events, including concert tours by the country's leading singers such as Mohammad Esfahani , Reza Sadeghi and Mohsen Yeganeh.

After receiving their PRO6, Ardestani Brothers deployed it in one of Tehran's biggest and most challenging venues, Milad Hall, which is used for concerts, conventions and seminars. To date, the PRO6 has been used to enhance performances by the Azerbaijan Symphony Orchestra and traditional Iranian singer Hesmedin Seraj concert in Milad Hall.

"The PRO6 sounds superb and no matter how hard you

UK - The Voice which is a multinational singing competition reality show started in the Netherlands as The Voice of Holland in 2010. Since then many countries have adapted the format and began airing their own national versions adding some major competition to shows like Idols and The X-Factor.

The Voice UK is currently towards the end of it first season which began its 11-week run in March 2012 on the BBC.

The lighting for The Voice UK is controlled exclusively by six Compulite Vector consoles - three working live on the show, and due to the scale and live nature of the show, a further three have been set-up as back-up systems. Under the control of lighting director Mark Kenyon are console operators Roger Williams on a Vector Ultra-Violet controlling the media servers, Tom Sutherland on a Vector Green controlling the moving lights and

Italy - Tiziano Ferro's latest tour set out from Mantua in April, stopping off at the sports halls in Italy's main towns. An elegant lighting design created by show designer Francesco De Cave featured Coemar's newly-release Infinity Spot XL. Lighting is provided by Agorà.

Coemar's new 1500W version of the swivel spots is the result of the joint effort of the Coemar technical team and feedback from Francesco De Cave.

Francesco De Cave explains, "I'm delighted I chose Infinity Spot XL. The gobos we have had custom made, the new colour palettes and powerful high-quality light are the key factors which, in my opinion, make it the most powerful, ductile and efficient swivel spotlight currently on the market.

" Two of the 34 Infinity Spot XL are used as spotlights background with the pan and tilt functions disabled and a handle mounted on the back for use by operators l

UK - DB Systems installed the PA system at the National Sports Centre, in Marlow, in preparation for the first training session of the British men's and women's Olympic hockey teams.

The system includes six ultra-compact, two-way passive Martin Blackline F8+ on stands; three QSC amps, three ultra high frequency Sennheiser headset microphones, three ultra high frequency Sennheiser hand held microphones, as well as a 24 channel Soundcraft mixing console.

DB is currently working with clients to provide IT and AV solutions for a number of other Olympic contracts.

(Jim Evans)

UK - LarMac Live (LML) produced the star-studded show at the heart of last weekend's Our Greatest Team Rises Team GB and ParalympicsGB gala fundraising event at the Royal Albert Hall in London .

The entertainment line up included Gary Barlow, Will Young, Melanie C, Alfie Boe, Charlie Siem, The Feeling, Kimberly Walsh, BGT winners Spelbound and many others, uniting Team GB and ParalympicsGB for both the Olympics and Paralympics in the run up to the summer Games.

The equally high-profile guest list for the black tie event was topped by TeamGB ambassadors including Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis OBE and Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They joined over 3000 people for dinner with gastronomy created by Michelin starred chef, Simon Hulstone.

LarMac LIVE were contracted by Team GB/ParalympicsGB and worked in unison with Fireball

Australia - The Memorial Hall complex at Caulfield Grammar School's Wheelers Hill Campus provides a 560-seat memorial hall, function room and chapel.

Essentially a proscenium theatre with a full fly system and a hydraulic lift, the Memorial Hall is used for a wide variety of productions including concerts and assemblies.

Memorial Hall manager Brad Dart began to consider a new console and reports, "We considered various options but everything steered us towards the ETC Ion console. Over the past couple of years we've had to hire one in from Clearlight Shows for designers and as it seemed to be the most preferred console, it made sense to get one and save hire costs.

"We're getting more and more into moving lights and LED fixtures and we find the Ion really user friendly with these," continued Dart. "It's just not as cumbersome as our previous console and i

UK - Stage Electrics has announced their appointment as an authorised dealer for Philips Vari-Lite. With a number of orders already placed for supply to theatres in the UK, the appointment has taken off with a flying start.

Anna Western, sales director at Stage Electrics said, "We currently have Philips Vari-Lite units in our rental stock and have equipment on a whole range of shows including Singin' in the Rain in the West End and on the UK tour of Phantom of the Opera. As an authorised dealer of Philips Vari-Lite, Stage Electrics is able to demonstrate and specify the whole range of automated luminaires for resale and installation including the recently introduced VL3015LT and VL3515 spot luminaires. These new 1500W units offer incredible power and zoom range capabilities and make an excellent addition to the Series 3000 product family."

Adam Blaxill,

UK - The visitor's journey through Titanic Belfast starts in the giant atrium and extends through nine galleries. Each tells the story of the Titanic, from its conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through its construction and launch, to its famous maiden voyage and tragic end, exactly 100 years ago.

Helping to tell this story is an immersive three-side 'cave' - a CGI virtual walk-through of the entire ship, constructed by Bedfordshire-based Paradigm Audio Visual, and installed by DJ Willrich to meet the design brief from Event Communications.

The Paradigm project team was led by Steve Pratt, director of engineering, who conducted several site meetings before drawing up the design for the three seamless rear projection surfaces, each 6m (wide) x 2.3m (high) and powered by Panasonic PT-DZ110 dual lamp, 10,600 lumens WUXGA resolution projectors, fitted with 0.8:1 lenses.

P

Canada - Rapper and pop singer-songwriter Pitbull, a Billboard Latin Music Award winner, has been playing to packed houses on his PlanetPit World Tour 2012 where Clay Paky Sharpy fixtures are in tune with the artist's vibe.

The tour recently concluded a cross-Canada run, will be heading for Europe shortly and plans to return to the US in the fall. Lighting designer Justin Geiger of Florida-based Impulse Creative Group designed a tiered rig with video in the centre for the Canadian dates. Impulse Creative Group consists of a design team with experience in live concerts, corporate events and houses of worship, which offers production design, system development and total show management.

"There's a high-energy club vibe to the show; it's very upbeat," says Geiger. "The venues mostly hold 8-14,000 people, and Pit is selling out all over the place."

Geiger &qu

Australia Melbourne's Greyhound Club (GH) has upgraded its lighting and sound systems. local integrators Sound Factory have installed a d&b audiotechnik PA system.

Although out of town, the Greyhound is not without neighbours, "In fact new apartment buildings are going up immediately to the rear of the venue now," said Sound Factory's Paul Fitzsimmons. "That was the determining factor when a d&b system specialist from National Audio Systems (NAS) drew up the installation design for us and selected J-SUBs for the low end reinforcement.

"NAS are the d&b distributor for Australia and have always provided us with excellent advice and support on projects such as this, for example, although the ceiling and walls have been acoustically dampened, the cardioid performance of the J-SUB still proved a big help in containing low end energy within the room and not upset

France - The investiture of the new French President, Francois Hollande, on 15 May, was a long and solemn affair according to tradition and protocol. The official handover of power from former President Nicholas Sarkozy took place at the presidential palace of the Elysée, where President-elect Hollande was formally sworn in as head of state.

Then, as French republican tradition demands, M. Hollande made his way to the Hôtel de Ville city hall, the seat of the Mairie of Paris for his first official state visit, where he was received with all the honour and ceremony accorded to any visiting head of state. At the heart of all the audio management and distribution was the Eclipse digital mixing console from Innovason, purchased by the Mairie of Paris last year for just such an occasion.

M. Hollande was received by the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, in front of the magn

UK - Sitting at the heart of Belfast's historic shipyard stands the UK's latest tourist attraction, the iconic Titanic Belfast building. This is an interactive insight into the history of The RMS Titanic. There are nine galleries which take you through the life of the Titanic from its concept to the sinking 100 years ago and its influence up to modern times.

Officially opened on 31March 2012, the building was designed around many maritime themes including the ship's hull.

With large numbers of the public expected, and their safety a priority (as well as that of the staff), it was decided that a reliable voice evacuation system must be installed.

In addition to the voice evacuation, a disabled refuge and toilet alarm system was also needed for the site. This type of system provides two way communication between building management and areas of refuge for those that would need

Festival of Flame - Coldplay are to headline the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. They will take to the stage at the Olympic Stadium on 9 September for the ceremony, titled Festival of Flame. Frontman Chris Martin called it "a great honour" and said the band were "very happy to be involved". They will be among more than 2,000 performers at the event.

The closing ceremonies are being co-ordinated by artistic director Kim Gavin, who has worked on Take That tours and staged the Concert For Diana in 2007. "Our show will be a celebration of the UK as a centre for festivals, which is a fitting finale to the amazing festival of sport that is the London 2012 Games," he said.

Arts Funding - A major shake-up in Creative Scotland's funding strategy has left the country's independent theatre sector uncertain for its future,

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