Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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USA - The Long Reach Long Riders and The ESTA Foundation have announced the results of their joint raffle to benefit the Behind the Scenes programme at the USITT conference in Kansas City. A total of $6,677 was raised from raffle ticket sales during the three-day conference, over $1,500 above last year's total.

The winners and their prizes are: George Epting - Altman Rentals' Ghostlight; Bruce Jackson - Apollo Design Technology's Smart Move DMX Rotator; Chris Hofmann - Barbizon's Stagehand Tool Kit; Chip Haas - Doug Fleenor Design's DMX/RDM Coffee Pot; Nathan Szewczyk - Field Template's SoftSymbols and Field Templates; Krystal Kennel - Broadway Master Class Pass donated by GLP; Kate Nocks - Sapsis Rigging's Gift Certificate; William Digneit - SeaChanger's iPod Touch and colorBUG; Shoshana Sims - USITT 2010 Conference Registration; Kevin Seime - Utah Shakespearean Festival's Tick

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UK - The Association for Project Safety (APS) and the Access Industry Forum (AIF) - the forum representing the nine principal associations and federations involved in working at height - have announced an agreement to provide mutual advice and assistance and, in particular, to act as strategic partners with regard to construction health and safety risk management and working at height respectively.

The aim of the agreement is to provide advice and assistance to each other's organisation and respective members by recognising and benefiting from each other's knowledge and skill base.

The Access Industry Forum, which represents all sectors of the access industry, will provide the following support in respect of working at height: A dedicated enquiry service to all APS registered members and practices; Provide information and resource for the APS website and publications; Supply e

InfiLED - Banner - August 25

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Egypt - Bingo is a subsidiary of ZAD Group in Cairo which launched its latest strategic business unit, ZAD Impact, with the sole objective of making an 'impact' on its partners' stakeholders.

With this in mind, Bingo has invested in Robe DigitalSpot 3000 DTs. It specializes in the design & management of turnkey corporate events, training seminars and multimedia solutions. Initially focused on the medical and pharmaceutical sector, it has also gained work in other industrial areas.

The company is directed by three entrepreneurs - Waleed El Deeb, Osama Gado and Amr El Fass. They have extensive experience within the Middle East/North Africa region in the pharmaceutical sector as well as with other multinationals in different industries, producing both experiential and creatively designed & managed interactive events.

Bingo wanted some new technology to help with its production

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Chinese Whispers - Two Chinese singers have become the first in the country to be fined under laws banning lip-synching. Fang Ziyuan and Yin Youcan were fined 50,000 Yuan (£4,760) after they were caught miming at a concert in Chengdu. The pair say they were "only" backing singers and will struggle to pay the fine to cultural authorities. The law was introduced in the wake of the 2008 Beijing Olympics after a girl deemed prettier mimed to vocals performed by another child. The other girl was not considered attractive enough to be the face of China during the opening ceremony.

The fined singers said the sanction was "unfair", while some internet discussion forums have said Chinese authorities are still allowing established stars to lip-synch at events. Chengdu officials said the fine was justified and ruled that their microphones were not giving out any s

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UK - Following the successful format of previous International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conferences, the three days will see over a hundred experts take part in around thirty presentation and discussion sessions. The Conference, to be held in London from 13-15 June, is attracting a broad range of delegates from venue design, construction, installation and management as well as a large number of designers and practitioners.

All delegates are invited to attend the opening plenary session, which asks the question, Do we need any more theatres? The keynote speaker will contrast the values of having a permanent theatre with the benefits of using found spaces and will examine ways in which venues can be designed or modified so as to be fit for purpose in the modern world.

As well as the main Conference sessions, there are presentations by the major sponsors and bo

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South Africa - The Gearhouse South Africa Group has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Gearhouse Splitbeam. This joint venture between theatre services supplier, Splitbeam and Gearhouse SA is an equipment and technical solutions provider for theatre productions countrywide.

Alistair Kilbee, Splitbeam's business development manager, believes that the collaboration between the two companies fills a much needed gap in the area of theatre lighting supply in South Africa. Until now, rental companies stocked the "wrong type of equipment at the wrong prices for theatre productions," he states.

In addition to managing technical production services and requirements, Gearhouse Splitbeam benefits from a theatre-based and priced rental stockholding, serviced and maintained by the skilled and knowledgeable Splitbeam staff.

Kilbee joins the Gearhouse Group's Bezuidenhout

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Qatar - Samsung was one of the official partners of the IAAF World Indoor Championships held in Doha, Qatar on 12-14 March. A Samsung Fan Zone was created in the Sports City outside the Aspire Stadium: part of this zone was the Samsung Cuboid, provided by UK-based LM Productions for client Cityneon.

The Cuboid was split into two areas - the Lounge and Promo area where nine plasma screens played promo videos and live feed of the Championships, plus camera demos.

The Visual Multimedia Area consisted of video projection, via three Sanyo DLP projectors, on three of the walls including two Wii gaming screens for visitors to play the new Summer Athletics 2009 Wii games. The other two walls showed Samsung sponsorship, sports advertising and archive footage. On the fourth wall were simple Samsung gobo projections. At night the Cuboid was lit up in an array of colours from LED batons p

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UK - As the first shipments of Apple's much-discussed iPad roll off of the production lines and into the eager hands of US consumers (delivery dates in Europe are still vaguely described as "end of May") software provider Stardraw.com confirms and demonstrates support of the iPad through their universal system control platform, Stardraw Control 2010.

There's been a lot of debate about the features (and possible failings) of the iPad but in the view of Stardraw.com CEO David Snipp, the device has great potential in the control market. "It isn't really an issue if people say that the iPad isn't as good as a netbook, or that it doesn't have a camera or support Flash or multi-tasking. If the worst you can say is that it's a big iPod touch - and a lot of people are saying that - then it will excel as a touchpanel interface for system control: for Stardraw Control, a bi

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USA / UK - By Design Day 2010, which is set to raise money for Behind the Scenes in the US and Light Relief in the UK, is nearly here. To date over 30 of the industry's top designers have pledged a day's royalties to the two charities and their shows are a real indication of the global aspect of our industry. Although the majority are UK or US specific, several are international - in fact raoyalties are coming from shows in some 15 countries. But even if you are not in a royalty situation, you can still contribute by making a donation to show that you care. Businesses too - particularly scenic, audio and lighting rental companies - can show their support with a day's rental fee or single donation.

Established in 2007 as Light Relief Day and now renamed By Design Day, 24 April, is the day that, each year, people in the professional entertainment design busine

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UK - Orbital Sound ran the ninth Sound Fundamentals Training Course for theatre sound technicians last week (6-9 April 2010), to a full house of 24 students. Orbital's training week is designed specifically to prepare theatre sound and more advanced technical theatre students for careers in the live entertainment industry, with the training held at the company's dedicated seminar facility in Brixton, south London.

Highlights of this year's course included backstage tours at West End shows Chicago and Grease, giving the students the opportunity to see the theory in action and get a first-hand insight into the sound behind a successful show. The students were able to quiz the operators on the day-to-day challenges of running a West-End sound department, and picked up invaluable tips for giving their careers in sound a kick-start.

The course's focus is on pre

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UK - Ofcom has delayed its plans to appoint a new Band Manager responsible for managing the spectrum used by the PMSE (Programme Making and Special Events) sector post the digital switchover.

Following an extensive consultation process which began in 2007, Ofcom had been due to make the appointment this spring, but earlier this year announced its intention to defer any decisions until after a third consultation. In a statement posted on the Ofcom website on 15 April, it announced that it would now fully defer any decisions until after London2012.

"In the light of our consultations and the responses we received, we have decided to defer the band-manager award until after the Olympics. This is in part because of the outstanding complexities of the award itself. But it is particularly because we consider there would be insufficient time to develop, test and implement the nec

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The Show Goes On - Icelandic volcanoes and closed airports have not stood in the way of attending this year's PALME exhibition which closes today, say the organisers. The eighth annual PALME Middle East 2010 was officially opened at the Dubai World Trade Centre by Engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality. "PALME has always been an important show at which to do business and this year is no exception. The exhibition has grown 10 per cent compared to 2009, proving the importance of the date on the international entertainment calendar," said Alex Heuff, exhibition director.

The team from A.C. Entertainment Technologies drove through the night to Nice, France, from London to board a flight to Dubai, arriving at 1am this morning to make the show. "We said we would be at the show and when we say something we mean it, but this is also an impo

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UK - Hawthorns has announced the addition of Nigel March to its business development team. Nigel has over 30 years' experience in the theatre and live events industry, specialising in AV programming and large format projection. He previously worked as head of production at the Royal Festival Hall before moving abroad to sunnier climes where he continued in production management for events and fiestas. Since returning to the UK recently he has focused on LEDs and media servers.

Nigel comments: "I'm thrilled to join Hawthorns. I believe they are the industry's best-kept secret, with excellent crew and an incredible portfolio of kit, and will do everything I can to make sure the secret is well and truly out of the bag!"

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Fifty Nine Productions (War Horse, Waves, Satyagraha) has teamed up with Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi to create a spectacular new live show combining theatre, film, animation, art installation and live music. The production opened in Vancouver in early April and is now touring the world with London performances on 26 and 27 May at the HMV Forum, Kentish Town, plus numerous festival appearances throughout the year.

Fifty Nine has previously designed sets, video and film projection for a variety of theatrical and operatic production companies including the National Theatre, ENO, Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera New York. The company is now making its first foray into the world of rock music.

Jónsi's live show has been conceived of as a collision of two worlds - the immediacy and energy of rock and roll with the sophisticated production values of a theatrical s

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UK - On 5 June, Charcoalblue projects director and motorbike enthusiast Jack Tilbury accompanied by pillion riding, camera wielding journalist Sarah Rushton-Read, will join The First Night Riders - a group of motorbike riding entertainment and theatre professionals - for a seven-day, tour of new, interesting and historically significant UK theatres.

The trip will take riders to venues up and down the UK and raise much needed funds for The Theatrical Guild (TTG) - a charity dedicated to supporting individuals who have been or are currently employed in professional theatre - backstage and front of house.

The First Night Riders will depart from outside London's National Theatre on 5 June and return in time for the start of the International Theatre Engineering & Architecture Conference on 13 June. In all, riders will cover 1400 miles in eight days and finish up at Hampstead Theat

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UK - PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 - which takes place this week on Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 April at the Royal Armouries in Leeds is looking set to break records as visitor pre-registrations top 2,700 - an increase of some 20% on last year's inaugural show.

The exhibition space itself sold out long ago, as last year's returning exhibitors were joined by 33 new names, filling both The Royal Armouries & Saviles Halls. Dozens of new product launches have been announced, many making their first UK appearance following international launches at Pro Light+Sound.

Another major draw has been the two-day Education & Learning Programme, a popular feature last year, which has again attracted top industry names in a feature-packed seminar agenda.

"There are lots of reasons to visit," said Kelvin Brown of Brooklyn Sound Systems in Middlesborough. "PLASA events are always well

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UAE - Despite the airline chaos just prior to the PALME show in Dubai preventing UK staff attending, SES/RFW had a very busy show serving existing and new clients. The stand was set up and ready to go by Saturday lunchtime, and the enquiries and orders gained during the show proved a year on year increase to the business in the region.

SES's Gordon Cooper commented: "The aim of this year's show was to launch the RFW business as THE main Dubai-based supplier to the industry for Power Distribution and associated products. This has been well received since its inception back in January and sales are increasing on a monthly basis, as customers realise that RFW have the stock on the shelf ready for collection or delivery at very competitive prices, along with top quality. Palme has proved yet again to be a great springboard for both SES and RFW in the region, and this has been p

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UK - Wireless Solution Sweden AB is unveiling W-DMX Generation 4 during PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 this week.The new G4 BlackBox is able to repair corrupted data and vouches for maximum security by running on dual band and creating a backup duplicate of the signal. This new standard is transparent and works with several protocols, creating extreme flexibility and reliability without need for additional controllers or software.Attendees will learn about how the new G4 product line brings innovative new features to the award-winning W-DMX line of products, including Adaptive Frequency Hopping technology for peace of mind when using other radio products, W-DMX invisi-wire and data-safe technologies for unparalleled fidelity, and support of RDM so units can be configured remotely with no fuss or cables. W-DMX G4 is the only product on the market to support the 5.8GHz band, ensuring that

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UK - Scott Anderson has been appointed as senior operations executive for Showsec's Scotland area office. Responsible for the overall operational management of the area, he will also focus on the continued expansion of Showsec's Scottish client base, developing new and existing relationships.

Anderson previously worked for Showsec from 1997 to 2002. Since then, he has worked in business development and client relationship management.

Says Anderson, "The company and the industry has progressed massively and I am returning to a far more professional, customer focused organisation already enjoying success in Scotland. I look forward to being part of the team that builds on the huge potential for a security company with Showsec's values and operational excellence."

(Jim Evans)

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Satisfying Statistics - Music sales in the UK have grown for the first time in six years, according to music industry body the British Phonographic Institute (BPI). Revenue increased by 1.4%, bringing the total income for 2009 to £928.8m. Download sales provided the shot in the arm, rising by more than 50% to earn £154m, compared with £101.5m in 2008. "It's encouraging to see industry revenues stabilise and even show modest growth in 2009," said BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor. But he warned the market was still "constrained by competition from illegal downloads".

Sales of CD albums continued to fall in 2009, dropping by 6.1%. Digital income now represents over 20% of overall recorded music revenues, taking into account earnings from online downloads alongside mobile, subscriptions and advertising-supported services. An unprecedented 4.22 m

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UK - PLASA Events confirms that PLASA 2010 is now over 75% sold - almost five months ahead of the show at Earls Court from 12-15 September. The latest figure coincides with the opening of its regional Northern show, PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010, taking place at the Royal Armouries today and tomorrow, which itself sold out last December and has over 2700 visitors registered to attend - some 20% increase on last year's show.

A key development for PLASA 2010 has been the enthusiastic return of major brands in both the pro audio and AV sectors, with a marked increase in the number of pro audio companies committing to stands.

One such company is Electro-Voice, exhibiting again after a one-year absence. Sean Maxwell, sales director at Shuttlesound, commented, "It's fantastic to be returning to the PLASA Show, a major international event where we see a huge number of our distributors

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UK - New regulations further protecting workers from the dangers of hazardous sources of artificial light came into force this week.

The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations meets a European Union Directive to ensure that standards are set and harmonised across Europe to protect workers from harm arising from exposure to hazardous sources of artificial light.

Some sources of artificial light, particularly UV radiation and light from lasers can harm the eyes and skin of workers and must be properly managed.

Workers in Great Britain are generally well protected from dangerous sources of light and the majority of businesses know how to manage the risks effectively. Therefore the regulations will mean few practical changes for most businesses, including those who are already managing the risks.

To help those businesses who are not already managing the ri

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UK - Events, production and communication specialist R&B Group scooped another contract to add to its growing portfolio of Yorkshire clients when it was recently appointed to provide production services and technical support at the Yorkshire International Business Convention, due to take place in Harrogate in June.

The convention, which is now in its 16th year is billed as the region's leading business event and offers delegates the opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers and be part of Yorkshire's largest networking event. Speakers at this year's convention include Sir David Frost, Michelle Mone business entrepreneur and regular panellist on BBC 2's The Apprentice You're Fired and Brian Blessed, actor author and adventurer.

Gavin Frost branch Manager of the R&B Group's Yorkshire office said, "This win signifies the continuing expansion of The R&B Group in

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USA - Denon Professional has announced the introduction of its DN-V500BD professional reference Blu-ray/DVD player, designed to meet the needs of sound contractors and systems integrators. The DN-V500BD is designed for applications where the best-possible video and audio quality is required, and offers ease of installation, versatile playback capabilities and reliability under the most demanding conditions, says the company.

The Denon DN-V500BD provides HDMI 1.3a, 1080p/24-bit video with Deep Colour and x.v Colour support, along with High-Bit-Rate audio output. It employs an Anchor Bay VRS high-bit interlace-to-progressive scan converter and scaler and Denon's High Picture Quality Circuitry. In addition, the DN-V500BD provides BD-Live Profile 2.0, AVCHD and DivX HD support, and includes an HDMI Source Direct mode to output the native resolution of a Blu-ray Disc.

The player fe

  1. Charcoalblue joins First Night Riders
  2. Rock Our World Awards nominations open
  3. Audac appoints Adam Hall as UK distributor
  4. David Cooper leaves Midas to form David Cooper Consulting
  5. The Week in Lighting & Sound
  6. PLASA & L&SI announce Loudspeaker Demo event
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