UK - SLX, technical supplier to theatre, broadcast and live events, will support and supply Surrey-based Guildford School of Acting (GSA) with its ambitious spring season, which is set to see a total of six live productions across two venues, all available digitally by booking at https://gsauk.org/events. The Production Arts Centre (PATS) is set to host Hamlet, An Image of an Unknown Woman and Red Velvet in March and will be supported by professional lighting designers Jo Town and John Rainsforth. The events are available digitally by booking at https://gsauk.org/events. The Bellairs Theatre, located in the Ivy Arts Centre at GSA on the University of Surrey campus, is also due to have a busy spring schedule with a production of Titanic the Musical with final year BA Musical Theatre students, Babe the Sheep Pig performed by students un
UK - Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed the four steps England is set to take towards “cautious yet irreversible” easing of lockdown restrictions over the coming months. The roadmap indicates that theatres, cinemas and other indoor entertainment attractions could reopen with reduced capacity and social distancing measures in place as part of step three, provisionally set to take place from 17 May. Johnson specifically said that as part of step three “theatres and concert halls can reopen their doors”, with pilots of larger events set to take place using enhanced testing. If coronavirus rates continue to fall as predicted, step four could see all restrictions lifted in England from 21 June. This will mean all sectors should be able to reopen. The #WeMakeEvents campaign has issued the following statement in response to the announcement: “We welcome
South Africa - DWR Distribution will present Basic Rigging Training in Cape Town, a two-day workshop presented by Robert Izzett which covers basic rigging hardware and calculations according to SANS 10366. The course, limited to 20 delegates, will be held at the on 15 & 16 March 2021 at the Cape Audio College in Observatory. With a focus on safety, delegates can look forward to gaining a better understanding of the rigging laws applied in South Africa, and on a practical level, the handling and use of rigging hardware, shackles, steel wire ropes, trussing, endless rounds and chains. “The main emphasis of the course is for technicians to familiarise themselves with the technicalities of hardware,” said Robert Izzett. “Not every shackle is a shackle and not knowing the difference can have serious consequences. There is also a misconception that there ar
USA - Registration is now open for the New World Rigging Symposium (NWRS), produced by ESTA and USITT, which will take place online 6-8 April, 2021. The NWRS provides a virtual opportunity for riggers and those interested in the entertainment rigging industry to network, discuss current issues and new technologies, and help shape the future of the industry. The cost has been reduced to $99 and the symposium carries up to nine ETCP education renewal credits for re-certification. Participants will be given a range of opportunities to further their technical knowledge in sessions on video wall rigging, automation and motorization, performer flying and rescue, and types of ropes. They’ll have a chance to learn about how the installation of a tension grid is working in a major facility, to get their questions answered by a panel of the industry’s most knowledgeable structural
USA - Solotech continues its expansion programme with the acquisition of Nashville-based Morris Light & Sound. The purchase was announced yesterday by Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of Solotech. Morris Light & Sound was formed nearly 30 years ago by industry ipersonality Dale Morris to outfit tours for the country music supergroup Alabama. Morris changed the landscape of touring by creating a business model that not only represented and managed artists but also provided full production services all under one roof. “The audiences that Alabama drew were unprecedented in country music at that time,” Morris stated. “We needed a sound system that would project their music over the sounds of the crowd, so I turned to an audio company in L.A. who configured sound systems for rock groups which was what we needed to start in production.” The InteRise
UK - Leisuretec, trade distributor of professional and commercial audio, lighting and video equipment, has partnered with Void Acoustics to distribute its professional audio products in the UK. Leisuretec will become Void’s largest distribution partner in the UK, supplying AV installers, hire production houses and events companies with strong stock holding, knowledgeable technical sales support and efficient after-sales service. Mike Henden, managing director of Leisuretec, comments: “We are very excited to bring Void into our diverse portfolio of professional audio brands. Not only do their speakers sound incredible, they behold an attractive aesthetic that will offer our customers a unique and stylish alternative when planning their projects.” “We are delighted to welcome Leisuretec Distribution Ltd to our already expansive network of Void dealers in t
Income Loss - Three quarters of creative freelancers or organisations working in areas dependent on live audiences have seen their income drop by more than half since the pandemic began, new figures from the Creative Industries Federation have revealed. Failure to ease the hardship being faced by many in the sector could result in “crippling inequalities” in future, and consequences that stretch beyond the creative industries, the federation warns. According to its newly released statistics, creative freelancers were experienced the biggest drop in revenue, and are 20% more likely than organisations to have seen a reduction in income of three quarters or more since the beginning of the pandemic. Following the findings, the Creative Industries Federation is calling on the government to take urgent support measures for the sector in the forthcoming Spring Budget. The
UAE - Pixel Artworks has announced the official opening of its new Middle East office and immersive showroom, located in Dubai’s Design District (d3). Pixel Artworks employs a combination of experiential design and technical expertise, together with animation, immersive audio and interactive elements, to create ‘virtually limitless concepts from giant airport activations to choreographed live shows to 360-degree immersive environments’. Dan Alldis, global development director, Pixel Artworks, said, “With 15 years of innovation, creativity and technical expertise behind us, we’ve been able to deliver some of the Middle East’s most ambitious AV installations over the past two years. When you see some of the incredible work we have produced, it is easy to forget that it starts with a single pixel – so we are excited to be able to welcome visitors to our new
Thailand - Void Acoustics has announced a new partnership with new company Aura Visual System based in Bangkok. Aura Visual System is headed up by Pankom Klaykum who has an extensive career in AV product distribution across the region as well as a strong knowledge of Void products. “We share a similar drive for the provision of excellent audio to our customers, and my team and I are excited to be aligning with Void Acoustics as their exclusive distributor for Thailand,” comments Pankom. “Whilst we have done some business in Thailand in the past, there is a huge amount of potential for Void with the country being an important tourist destination and with Bangkok being a major entertainment hub in South-East Asia,” says Sean Iskhandar, APAC sales manager for Void Acoustics from his base in Singapore. Pankom explains further: “The club sector is a promi
UK - The Royal Albert Hall has launched its 150th anniversary year with a 90-second tribute to live music entitled Your Room Will Be Ready, narrated by Mick Jagger, directed by BAFTA-nominee Tom Harper and scored by Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price. The short film, which focuses on the anticipation and energy of live events, pairs images of the empty venue with more than 40 pieces of archive event footage from 1933 to the present, accompanied by Sir Mick reading from For Friends Only by W.H. Auden. Sir Mick said: “Without doubt, the Royal Albert Hall is one of the greatest concert venues in the world and so I was delighted to be asked to read a short poem by W.H. Auden as part of this excellent short film by Tom Harper. “I have some wonderful memories of performing there with the Stones in the 1960s when once or twice it did get a b
UK - In 2020, the first #ILoveLive prize draw raised £546,000 for the charity Stagehand helping music and road crew in desperate need. Launched this month is #ILoveLive 2, featuring more prizes from artists, promoters, venues and festivals. Artists involved include Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Iron Maiden, Muse, Spice Girls, Simple Minds, Passenger, Fleetwood Mac and many more. David Stopps, Ian McAndrew and Tom Schroeder, alongside Andrew Lenthall and Mike Lowe from Stagehand, began the #ILoveLive Prize Draw campaign to help raise funds for all the music stage and road crew in the live music events industry that have been affected by the pandemic. David Stopps said: “When I heard about the tenth suicide among stage crew in late August, I knew I had to do something. Stage crew are not only suffering great financial hardship but most are also experiencing
UK - The UK government is being urged to recognise the “human and economic devastation” inflicted by the pandemic on the live events supply chain as part of a new awareness campaign launched by #WeMakeEvents this morning. The Government Can’t See Us, Can You? unveils the devastation the pandemic has wrought on the live event supply chain as told through the stories of industry professionals. The movement has issued an open letter to Rishi Sunak asking the government to support out-of-work individuals and businesses and engage with the sector to develop a re-opening plan and a government-backed COVID-19 cancellation insurance. The initiative is also calling on the public to join the conversation on social media by using #GovCantSeeUs and by writing to their MP. Al
Europe - Elation continues the Elation Coffee Break webinar series on Thursday, 18 February at 11:00 a.m. CEST with technical sales specialist Alistair Smyth and international sales manager Frederik Afif looking at the innovative qualities of the Paladin series of versatile wash/blinder/effect lights Since its debut on the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, the IP65-rated Paladin range has emerged as industry staple luminaires useful for a wide variety of applications from vibrant stage wash and dynamic uplight to flexible effect light, audience blinder/strobe and eye candy effect. Valued for its versatility, as well as its all-weather toughness, the range encompasses the Paladin, Paladin Panel, Paladin Brick and Paladin Cube. The Elation Coffee Break is an online presentation series from Elation’s European office in Kerkrade, the Netherlands that takes an up-close look
Italy - DTS Lighting is set to reveal its new look company website (www.dts-lighting). The improved platform, on-line from March 2021, will be easy to use and navigate and will give the users a fast way into the world of DTS, says the manufacturer. The website is now a renovated hub for data besides being a new practical instrument for clients, distributors, architects, designers, and users all around the professional market. “Everything will be presented in a new way that will recall what has been already seen during 2020: the graphical restyling which highlights the orange and gray colours of the new company image.” Sales director Raffaella Scaccia comments: “For us it is always more and more important that information and instructions regarding solutions and services can be easily
Germany - Part of the German public broadcasting service, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), the historic Landesfunkhaus Nierdersachsen (Lower Saxony State Broadcasting Station) in Hannover includes two concert halls. The installation of a Rivage PM7 digital mixing system in the larger venue marks nearly 30 years of relying on Yamaha mixers. Broadcasting in Hannover dates back to 1924, moving to the current site in 1950 with the construction of what was then the most technically advanced broadcast station in Europe. The original, 350-seat Kleiner Sendesaal concert hall was joined by the 1250-seat Großer Sendesaal in the 1960s, home to the renowned NDR Radio Philharmonic orchestra. Both venues are used for over 100 live concerts, shows, awards ceremonies and similar events every year, many broadcast live or recorded for later transmission. With the needs of guest artists, p
UK - disguise has launched a new internship programme designed to “seek out, train and invite the very best talent from other under-represented backgrounds into the technology industry”. disguise has forged partnerships with two initiatives - Kwanda, a non-profit organisation supporting enterprise and creativity within the black community, and Workfinder, which matches students with opportunities in start-ups and scaleups. “It was important for disguise to collaborate with Kwanda to address racial diversity within the tech industry,” says the company. “By partnering with Workfinder, disguise is directly supporting their Women in Tech scheme that aims to deliver increased gender equality in the STEM sector. “The new internship programme simultaneously gives young people the chance to explore a technology career while addressing inequality in the techno
UK - PLASA, the association for the live entertainment technology industry, and the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) are pleased to announce a collaboration that will bring the 2021 editions of both the PLASA Show and the ABTT Theatre Show under one roof from 5-7 September at Olympia London. For 2021 only, this partnership between the two established associations aims to reduce pressure on the exhibition calendar as the industry’s eco-system recovers from the impacts of the pandemic and will bring the broad sector together for one landmark event. As previously planned for 2020, PLASA Show 2021 - for this year with the ABTT Theatre Show - will debut at Olympia’s largest hall, the Grand. The ABTT Theatre Show will run in its own defined space, retaining its unique identity, and celebrating the ABTT’s 60th anniversary. The spacious Grand hall will
USA - Lectrosonics, together with a number of dealers, industry manufacturers and end-users, has been spearheading a social media campaign to emphasise that no matter the medium, sound is critical. The company has now announced the winners of the Sound is Essential creativity contest - Michael Wynn; Sound Speeds/Allen Lee Williams; Curtiss Judd and Siddharth Sadashiv. Michael Wynn of Michael Wynn Sound has been named the first place winner, for his video reflecting on the variety of events which have taken place during 2020 and how sound truly played an essential part of each of them. See the video here: https://youtu.be/Fzed1XVpSNM. Sound Speeds/Allen Lee Williams took second place by showing how just essential sound is with
Europe - Netherlands-based architectural lighting control specialist Visual Productions has announced Matrix Sales as its new exclusive distributor for Denmark. Matrix Sales became an exclusive distributor of Visual Productions in the last quarter of 2020. It is now fully responsible for sales, project support and technical support in Denmark and distributes a full range of products from Visual Productions available from stock. “I am very impressed with the professionalism that one encounters with Visual Productions and its crew in handling service and backup on technical solutions and challenges,” comments Urs Friis-Alstrup, sales manager of Matrix Sales, specialising in light and staging. “A distributor's best wishes for cooperation in a demanding market. Looking forward to many good years together.” Hana Havrdo
UK/USA - MXL Microphones is expanding the availability of its Unified Communications/UCC product lines to customers in the UK by partnering with distributor Midwich. “This opportunity has come at the perfect time for MXL as our distribution network is rapidly evolving to meet market need,” comments Trevor Fedele, MXL director. “The expansion of our distribution capabilities with Midwich benefits everyone in our supply chain, while also laying the groundwork for continued growth.” “Midwich is delighted to provide MXL mics to our channel partners in the UK and Ireland,” adds Alison Charters, divisional manager at Midwich. “The company’s wide range of products improve audio quality and are an ideal solution for today’s market, whether you’re a solo user on the move, working from home or in the office environment. We see MXL mics as a key audio product
UK - PLASA, the lead association for the entertainment technology industry, is running a free webinar on Wednesday 24 February to help attendees better understand the basics of the new UKCA marking which is now required for certain products being placed on the market in Great Britain. Following on from a series of webinars covering business, trade and HR, this session will explore terms and definitions that relate to the new UKCA and CE UKNI markings. PLASA will be joined by expert host Rob Hine, head of commercial partnerships at BSI (an approved body for UKCA), who will break down what these terms mean in the context of UKCA and what this means for those placing products on the market. Rob will also take the time to answer any questions. This webinar will prove essential for both UK and international businesses who sell products in the UK. Following the session, att
Under Pressure - Chancellor Rishi Sunak is under renewed pressure to provide greater financial security to the arts sector’s self-employed workforce in the forthcoming Budget, as the findings of a new inquiry warn of a talent exodus without support. The Inquiry into the Future of Self-Employment has been carried out by Prospect – the parent union of BECTU – and calls on the chancellor to end “the exclusions from the government’s income support packages”, which have seen millions of self-employed and freelance workers fall through the gaps of existing financial support schemes. As part of the inquiry’s research, a survey of more than 2,200 self-employed workers was carried out, of which 39% were trade union members. BECTU head Philippa Childs gave evidence to the inquiry and said: "Workers in the creative industries have been left with
UAE - Procom Middle East has been recognised as a ‘power user’ of ON LX's Ctrl for iPad App. Procom is a professional audio, lighting, video, rigging, and stage effects equipment supplier based in the UAE with a wide portfolio of entertainment technology brands hardware sales and distribution. Ctrl for iPad first made its debut in 2018 and has been used in over 56 countries with over 21,000 downloads in the past six months alone. The idea behind the application is to give AV integrators and live events technicians a canvas to create a bespoke control interface using images, buttons, sliders and more, all capable of sending commands to different pieces of AV hardware. Wiam Boutine of Procom comments, "Dynamic and complex lighting, audio and video installations are no longer exclusive to professional venues and sophisticated event stages. They are everywhere: f
USA - Lightware Visual Engineering has announced the opening of its newest branch to expand its presence across the West Coast area. Co-incidentally, Steve Alexander joins as general manager of the US West Region. “We are delighted to welcome Steve Alexander to our team,” says Jason Tirado president, Lightware Inc. “Steve and I have been personal friends and professional colleagues for decades. Steve is one of the brightest minds in AV and one of the smartest people I know. He will be charged with ramping up our presence in the thirteen states in the Western Region.” “Lightware has been a growing presence in the market for the last several years,” says Alexander. “After meeting the team and completing my research, I am fully convinced that the Lightware brand is at a tipping point. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling development than using my experience to
