General

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14 March 2016

Companies and individuals from PLASA's worldwide membership voted in the elections which were conducted via a secure online poll.

There were four positions available on the European Regional Board. Martin Hawthorn of Hawthorn's was re-elected to a second term as Treasurer and Mark Surtees of Outback Rigging successfully retained his position as Production Services Representative. Noreen O'Riordan of Entec Sound and Light becomes the new Rental Company Representative, while Steve Macluskie of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will take on a second term as the Organizational Representative.

Five positions were up for election on the North American Regional Board with Scott H

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14 March 2016

The Peterborough-based company has acquired the unit adjacent to their existing premises, increasing their available warehouse and office facility by over 4,000sq.ft. There has also been a significant investment in new stock with the addition of over £200k of equipment to their inventory including CM Lodestar, Outboard, Robe, Sennheiser and Studio Due products.

This investment in equipment has been complemented by the addition of some new team members to ensure Pearce Hire continues to serve the needs of their diverse client base.

"It's a big decision to increase the square footage of our warehouse, and to commit to a significant purchase of new kit," comments Shaun Pearce, managing director of Pearce Hire.

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14 March 2016

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14 March 2016

With a surface area that has tripled in size, the new facility now occupies over 1000sq.m and hosts a vast area dedicated to service and training. It also has several dedicated spaces including a showroom for staging live demos, several rooms for seminars and training courses, along with an extended sales open space.

The new office is headed by Pascal Gervais, regional director, Christie for France. He enthused, "Following more than ten years of constant growth and successful brand development in the French market, and since we exceeded our capaci

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14 March 2016

In their new capacity with Aphex, World Marketing Associates will be serving as manufacturer's reps for the territory of Europe, the Middle-East and Africa (EMEA). International Sales, on the other hand, will serve Pacific Rim, India, Australia, Latin and South America.

"The next year is going to be a big one for us, with many new product introductions and continued market penetration," stated Rick McClendon, Aphex general manager. "As we grow and evolve, our sales and support network will create vital links between Aphex and the marketplace, and we are really excited about our ne

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14 March 2016

The sold-out performance is due to be broadcast on ITV1 on 3 December at 19:30 GMT. All proceeds are donated to The Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund (EABF), which cares for entertainers throughout the UK who need help.

Theatre News - The Mousetrap has celebrated going into its 60th year on stage with a gala performance featuring stars including Hugh Bonneville and Miranda Hart. The Agatha

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14 March 2016

A company statement says, "This appointment enables Stage Electrics to benefit from the wisdom of Trevor's highly successful career to date as an entrepreneur and business leader including roles as Chairman of transport operator First Group and Bristol International Airport.

"Whilst receiving treatment for cancer over the last year David has continued in the role of Chairman, advising and guiding the senior management team. The appointment of Trevor as Chairman at this time facilitates David's wish to spend more time with his family.

"As the majority shareholder, David remains fully committed to the continued success of Stage Electrics and

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14 March 2016

Since its formation in 1975 Britannia Row Productions has always been at the forefront of live audio. In the ensuing decades, touring credits include artists as varied as The Pink Floyd, The Cure, Neil Young, Frank Sinatra, Florence and the Machine, Paul Simon, Duran Duran, Kasabian and the Foo Fighters. The company has also provided audio for events such as Live8, the Golden and Diamond Jubilees, as well as TV events such as BRIT

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14 March 2016

The Charcoalblue team has used its hands on theatre and training talents to help develop The National Skills Academy (NSA) in Thurrock, Thames Gateway, which delivers industry-endorsed training for young people and professionals as well as a national centre, rehearsal and administrative space.

The £13m scheme is currently supported by more than120 leading employers working in the theatre and 'live' music industries and signifies an ambitious vision to provide world-class training for the world's greatest stages.

Charcoalblue's responsibilities included developing alternative master-planning proposals

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14 March 2016

The point of Movember is to have fun, raise money and get people talking about the often overlooked issue of men's health, specifically in relation to prostrate and testicular cancer.

The eight-strong SHM Movember team were energised by tour manager Michael 'Curly' Jobson, whose attention was drawn to the issues when his father in law was diagnosed with prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men in the UK.

Joining Curly as Mo Bros are lighting designer Ian Tomlinson, FOH engineer Wayne 'Rabbit' Sargent, monitor engineer Carlos Herreros, production manager Mark Reuben, adva

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14 March 2016

"They have a combined age of 273, but the four Stones remain an extraordinary live proposition," John Aizlewood wrote in the Evening Standard.

"Jagger, camp and louche, was a preening but energetic peacock; Richards was as cool as a man sporting a red hairband and turquoise jacket could possibly be; Ronnie Wood was a chirpy mascot and that ocean of serenity Charlie Watts showed the tiniest of drumkits can make the

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14 March 2016

Following record attendance in 2012, the premier entertainment technology trade show in the North has attracted even more companies that are keen to access the 50% of visitors who do not attend any other trade show during the year.

Mark Priestley, project manager at Unusual Rigging explains the rationale behind their decision to book for the first time: "Although a committed supporter of PLASA, 2013 will see Unusual Rigging making its exhibitor debut at PLASA Focus. We have completed a lot of projects in the north of England and Scotland but we believe we will be able to introduce our range of services to new customers at Leeds. When we visited the show last yea

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14 March 2016

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is currently in place, after a week of violence in Gaza last month. But tensions still run high. This week's gala concert supports an organisation which raises money for Israeli soldiers and their families. Wonder said the United Nations had recommended cancelling his performance because he is an official UN Messenger of Peace.

Festivals 2013 - Rihanna and Mumford & Sons have been announced as headliners for next year's T in the Park festival. The event, Scotland's biggest festival, is celebrating its 20th year in 2013 and will see US singe

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14 March 2016

Soul singer Michael Kiwanuka came out on top last year, with Adele, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding among past winners. The 2013 line-up includes boy-girl pop duo AlunaGeorge, Birmingham indie group Peace and Californian sisters Haim. Other acts tipped for success include all-girl post-punk band Savages, Glasgow electro-pop three-piece Chvrches and London rock quartet Palma Violets, whose debut single Best Of Friends was recently named track of the year by the NME.

The Sound of 2013 winner will be announced online and by DJ Huw Stephens on the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show on 4 January.

Theatre Awards - Danny Boyle's

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14 March 2016

Debbie Bridge, Head of University Campus, says: "We are very proud of the opportunity that we have created for students at University Campus Oldham. We offer 15 places on each course to generate the same experience you would have if you were part of a small theatre company, the resources we have are excellent and added to this we have the partnership with Oldham Coliseum to provide the dynamic of live theatre."

UCO offers two-year Foundation Degrees in Performance, and Technical Theatre, which can lead into the final year of the BA (Hons) at Huddersfield

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14 March 2016

This was the first project MCI had executed for NRK and was the result of winning a competitive tender. A BroaMan fibre solution had been in their mind right from the outset, according to project manager, Götz Ahlert.

Explaining the challenge, he said, "The task was to set up quickly, and with a minimum of cabling, a reliable connection between up to four TV cameras and an OB van - connected via satellite to the broadcast centre in Oslo. The BroaMan fibre units are designed to be located in a stagebox on the camera side, and inside the OB truck on the corresponding side."

BroaMan supplied was a

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14 March 2016

The honours for Adele come in a year which saw her win six Grammy awards and dominate the US charts. Her second album 21 went straight to number one when it was released in March 2011 and did not leave the top 10 until the beginning of September this year. During that time, it spent 24 weeks at the top spot.

Play It Again - A piano that features in the classic 1940s film

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14 March 2016

Through this new combination of two worldwide industry leaders, Harman and Martin believe that their comprehensive offering of audio, lighting and video solutions for the live stage and events, as well as permanent venues and installations, will 'provide new, exciting opportunities and will take customer satisfaction to even higher levels'.

This transaction will create a one-stop-shop for the professional entertainment market. Adding Martin to Harman's USD $4.4 billion organization and combining two of the largest R&D budgets in the audio and entertainme

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14 March 2016

In addition to the 10 £1,800 grants available to eligible companies, the APRS is hoping that there will also be some additional funding for what UKTI call 'enhanced activity' during the event which will offer a Consular event to intr

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14 March 2016

The new department aligns the teams within PRG, focused on the installation, operation and pre-production of projects across the concert touring, theatre, corporate & TV markets. The new team is centred around PRG's SW London premises, where the company's WYSIWYG studios and demo spaces are located.

As well as site based engineers, crew chiefs and technicians, the team also includes specialists in digital media and all aspects of pre-production, supporting PRG's lighting, video and rigging projects. John McEvoy has a long history in the technical production industry, having started his career at VariLite Production Services. John latterly ran the Full-Service Division at Essential Lighting which became a part of Production Resou

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14 March 2016

Joining Tait with nearly 15 years' experience at PRG Scenic Technologies, Jim's most recent positions there included director of technical design, as well as design development and estimating lead. With an impressive portfolio, he has served as the project lead on over 100 Broadway shows, including 42nd St., Wicked, The Producers, Spiderman, Book of Mormon and more.

Originally hailing from Long Island, New York, Jim's educational background consists of a BFA in Scenic and Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon and a MFA in Technical D

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14 March 2016

The first gig took place in Dubai on Saturday 8 December at the Closing Ceremony of the World Parachuting Championships. Katy Perry performed at the show and flying during her entrance suspended under a prop parachute. To fly the star in over the audience the Stage Technologies rentals team used a two way bridle, two BT290 winches, a Nomad desk with PC Wing backup, and an AU:tour control rack.

That same night in Las Vegas saw rapper and boxing promoter 50 Cent descend from the rafters while performing his hit My Life prior to the start of the Juan Manuel Marquez vs Manny Pacquiao fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. ZFX Flying Effects rented a Stage Technologies winch for the flight.

Finally, a rentals team comprising staff fro

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14 March 2016

The ABTT Fellowships, given only to individuals who "have rendered signal service to the technical aspects of the art of the theatre", were unanimously endorsed by the ABTT Council at its last meeting.

Jason Barnes is for many synonymous with the National Theatre's Cottesloe, having staged over 350 productions, during his time as the venue's production manager. He has acted, toured and worked in theatres throughout Britain and overseas, as well as lecturing regularly and contributing to many publications. He is a member of the ABTT Historical Research Committee, a contributor to the organisation's Theatre Planning Committee

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14 March 2016

The daily online news will resume on Wednesday 2 January.

Merry Christmas!

(Claire Beeson)