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14 March 2016

As one venue opens, another closes...Just a week after the news broke that the Marquee Club had closed, another long-standing London venue, The Astoria in Charing Cross Road, looks certain to close. London's mayor, Ken Livingston told The Times that it would be demolished to make way for the Cross Rail project which has finally been given the green light. An Internet-based petition to save The Astoria has attracted some big name signatures, but it's probably too late.

Looking on the bright side, though, the Cross Rail project should offer great opportunities for the installation sectors of our industry to get a slic

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14 March 2016

In August 2006, aged 51, Chris Venn a prominent freelance production manager, working for many of the high profile communications and production companies of the last 25 years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There is currently is no long-term cure for this type of cancer, because the level of research funding in to this specific area is relatively poor. Sadly, after 13 months, Chris lost his battle in September last year, the same year that another industry colleague, freelance logistics manager Howard Kerr, was diagnosed with the same disease.

As Howard nears the 12-month mark since his diagnosis, he and his industry colleagues have begun to put

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14 March 2016

The new SmartSoft Edition is available through Capture Sweden's dealer network and can be evaluated for free by downloading the demo version at Capture Sweden's website.

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Unit 2 Riverside Business Centre, 55 Bendon Valley, Wandsworth, London SW18 4LZ.

The phone and fax numbers remain the same and the company hopes to have a new website up and running by the end of March. A company statement says: "We look forward to providing our customers with the same high quality lighting solutions from our new home."

(Claire Beeson)

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14 March 2016

5 Star worked closely with Pioneer's Paul Beardsall on the design of the new case which although identical in size to the 2006 version, includes some additional features.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

While on matters sporting, the Beijing Olympics are fast approaching. The torch has been lit and is now on its way round the world. Politics and boycotts permitting, the Games will no doubt provide a fine showcase for manufacturers and integrators who are also already casting their eyes towards the London Olymp

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14 March 2016

"After my long and wonderful career at the Metropolitan Opera joining one of the finest theatre consulting companies is both logical and very exciting," states Volpe.

Richard Pilbrow, founder of Theatre Projects, states: "It is a tremendous privilege for me to welcome Joe to the Theatre Projects team. His rise at the Met from carpenter to general manager very much parallels our own, from backstage technicians to designing many of the world's most significant performing arts spaces. Our record of innovative and ground breaking theatre buildings will be enhanced by Joe's knowledge and experience in their operations. Joe will prove to be a powerful ally in our development."

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14 March 2016

Level 1 training (12 May) is designed to give new users the ability to move around and work with the grandMA, grandMA light or grandMA ultra light consoles. Level 2 training (13-14 May) is designed to bring existing moving light and conventional lighting console operators to a competent level on those consoles.

"We are very excited to be able to work with MA Lighting in this way," commented Glamorgan's Stuart Green. "The University recognise the importance of training industry technicians and

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14 March 2016

In a year of unprecedented theatre renovations in Russia, one of the most ambitious has been the £7.5m restoration of the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet in St Petersburg. In just four months, the theatre renovated the hall, stage, lobby, orchestra pit, plumbing, heating and electrical systems, plus the building's roof and façade, all in time to kick off its new season. At the same time, the Mikhailovsky overhauled its lighting system, outfitting its stage with equipment from ETC.

In Moscow, The new multi-purpose ballroom and conference facility at the Ho

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14 March 2016

The company is to replace the fleet of vans that undertake regular deliveries from its Wimbledon base into London's Theatreland with an efficient, low fuel consumption, and very friendly horse and cart. "This transportation system has been used by the local Young's Brewery for many years," notes White Light's managing director, Bryan Raven.

"When we learnt that they were to phase it out we realised what a great opportunity this was for us. Our many theatre and corporate event clients mean that we have to make regular deliveries into central London, and rising fuel costs make this increasingly expensive.

"The horses, on the other hand, will pa

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14 March 2016

Part of the second wave of employers to achieve Awarding Body status, PLASA has been working with the QCA to conform to the rigorous standards set to become a QCA accredited awarding body.

The development of a Level 1 Trainee Rigger programme for 'new entrants' into the industry will start in the summer of 2008 and will cover the core skills required for rigging in any sector and provide a pathway for someone trying to reach the Level 2 certificate. This w

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14 March 2016

Richard Wolpert's brainchild was Pedaling to Benefit Behind the Scenes, a 754 mile, 12 day bicycle trip from Springfield, MO to Houston, TX in time for the USITT Conference. Riding at an average speed of 12 mph and covering as much as 78 miles in a day. He was joined for the first 72 miles by Rob Schraft and for the last 274 miles by Jeni Lyn Anderson.

On 15 March 15, the Mount Vernon High School Chapter of USITT held its second annual Short Reach Short Riders Tricycle Ride for Behind the Scenes. A cold and wet morning greeted the 38 high school riders as they competed in relays, sprints, and

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14 March 2016

The Civic Trust Awards aim to promote the positive impact that good building and urban development can have on society. It's currently one of the largest and most respected award schemes of its kind in Europe.

Jack Tilbury, project director for Charcoalblue and The Roundhouse project, said: "We're delighted that the Roundhouse has received the 2008 Civic Trust Special Award for Access. We worked very c

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14 March 2016

"I am happy to join forces with Infocomm and the NSCA Education Foundation to support the Industry Charity Golf Tournament, hosted by Atlas Sound and IED," said Loyd Ivey, CEO of Atlas Sound/IED. "We can tee up a striking event for two great causes, industry education and juvenile diabetes. Both of these causes are very dear to my heart. I look forward to everyone coming out and playing their best round of golf ever, for these two important needs."

"The NSCA Foundation is extremely excited to have Atlas Sound/IED as the host sponsor for this year's event," said Tom Frericks, pr

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14 March 2016

The Showsec Academy formalises training and provides an accredited qualification for staff at managerial level, something that has never before been addressed by the industry, says the company. The year-long programme offers staff the chance to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to become an effective operational manager within the crowd management industry.

The programme is divided into three key elements: operational management, leadership, and administration and support services. It includes vocational and industry qualifications, operational experience, as well as mentoring and self development elements. The vocational aspect will ensure associates encounter every t

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14 March 2016

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14 March 2016

Other sectors have had to comply with the regulations for the last two years, but this sector was given a two-year transitional period, which expired on 6 April. Employers will have a new responsibility to protect their employees' hearing and should consider conducting a noise risk assessment, taking steps to reduce noise where necessary and ensure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded.

Employees must be informed of the changes and provided with hearing protection and checks where necessary. Employers may also

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14 March 2016

As a judge, Ruth will be looking for evidence that HAE member companies have demonstrated the highest standards or quality and professionalism. There are 14 categories in total ranging from 'Hire Person of the Year' to 'Best Contribution to Health and Safety'.

Ruth said: "I'm looking for companies that are committed to developing their teams and who have invested time and money in building their skills and levels of customer service to set themselves apart from others.

"Many companies have the right intentions or a range of p

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14 March 2016

Already pledging to donate their royalties for April 24 to Light Relief are the lighting designers of many shows, including a couple of overseas productions: Paule Constable, The City at Royal Court Theatre, Chris Davey, (no specific show); Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot UK and Australia; Rob Halliday, Equus UK tour and My Fair Lady US tour; Paul Pyant, Lord of the Rings; Malcolm Rippeth, Brief Encounter; Ian Scott, 39 Steps; Kevin Sleep, Woman in Black, James Whiteside for The Wedding Singer tour and Never Forget, donated in advance of its West End premiere in May; and Willie Williams, We Will Rock You, UK and French and Saunders Live Tour. Thanks to all these for their early commitment

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14 March 2016

Built in 1971 and seating 980 in a thrust-stage configuration, the theatre has just completed the first phase of its current refurbishment project - to replace the stage with a versatile system that allows the stage level to be easily and safely changed for different functions, including the forthcoming snooker championship.

Theatreplan's Clive Odom says: "The stage system was developed using Steeldeck Easydeck platforms which are the 'industry standard' s

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14 March 2016

Arriving with little fanfare, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 now applies to employers involved in the provision of live or recorded music in restaurants, bars, nightclubs etc, following a two-year period of grace, which expired on 6 April.

Employers are now responsible for protecting their employees' hearing. And that's not all on the legislation front - employers are now also faced with the Corporate Manslaughter Act, which also came into force on 6 April. Bosses are now responsible if their company's negligence results in death in the workplace. The message is this: review your business procedures now, to make

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14 March 2016

Mark Ager, Stage Technologies' managing director, lead discussions on how automation is used in entertainment venues, including the practical advantages, cost implications and safety issues, as well as giving a technical overview of the equipment used. This information was then augmented with visits to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Wynn and Venetian hotel complexes in Macau, where Stage Technologies has recently completed commissioning several large systems.

The course was designed for students cur

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14 March 2016

Sykes and Willis have worked together for many years, building the company from small beginnings, when it initially made its mark as a quality guitar and keyboard case manufacturer. Sykes joined in June 1991 when 5 Star acquired Pro-Tect Cases, an Ipswich-based case making operation that he'd managed for some years. The merger with Pro-Tect forged the way ahead for 5 Star's future development, seeing it become a leading European case manufacturer, enjoying steady growth and attaining a leading market position.

Sykes was made a director and shareholder of 5 Star Cases in 1997.

In the immediate future, Jim Willis wil

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14 March 2016

The implication of new legislation to reduce carbon emissions being introduced through Climate Change, Energy and Planning Bills will be addressed by the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP, Minister for Culture, and Peter Head, director, planning and integrated urbanism, Arup in opening and closing contributions.

From the theatre world, the carbon comfort work in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's Transformation Project will be covered by Peter Wilson, its project director, along with Stephen Jolly of Bur