Norway - Manchester based lighting and visuals specialist dbn has specified and installed a custom LED lighting and control solution for the new set of the Norwegian National Lottery which is operated by Norsk Tipping AS.

dbn's project manager was Nigel Walker, and they were working for UK based Stage One Creative Services, with whom Walker has enjoyed a long and successful working relationship. Stage One in turn was commissioned by producers Fabelactiv, to deliver a set for the high profile show which is broadcast from their HD studios in Hamer via national TV channel, NRK.

Stage One appointed Nick King to design the spectacular set, and then asked dbn to interpret the prominent lighting elements of the resulting 15m wide scenic environment, a streamlined fusion of interlocking curves made from frosted acrylic material and backlit with LEDs, embracing retro and futuristic in

Qatar - Doha based event design and production company Kenkaato produced a spectacular of epic proportions for the formerly named Qatar National Hotels (QNH) Company, now Katara Hospitality, which involved fully co-ordinated large format projections onto four of the group's stunning buildings in central Doha.

The event ran live for three evenings, celebrating Katara Hospitality's announcement of a complete rebranding exercise and the official launch of a new corporate identity, together with new acquisitions. It also coincided with the heavyweight three day Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) being staged in Dubai

The client wanted to make a high impact using a contemporary medium that could engage the general public and be communicated commercially and virally on multiple levels.

Kenkaato - a new company fusing experience with fresh ideas and imagination - took the b

USA - A.C.T Lighting Inc, the distributor of Clay Paky lighting in North America, has named George Masek as vice-president, Automated Lighting. He will be based in Dallas, Texas.

CEO Bob Gordon said: "We are delighted to welcome George to A.C.T Lighting. George strengthens our knowledge base on automated stage lighting and brings with him first-hand knowledge of the history of automated lights. He knows how to take care of lighting professionals and how to provide exactly what they need to be successful. He has more than 20 years' experience in the lighting industry and we expect him to strengthen our position as the number one Clay Paky distributor in the world."

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the folks from A.C.T Lighting and to have the chance to be associated with the powerful brands they represent," says Masek. "I saw joining A

Australia - Visual and lighting designer Nick Gray of UK based design practice Renegade has created a video art work which is one of the highlights of the international Wool Modern exhibition, just aired in Sydney, Australia following successful shows in London and Berlin.

Gray was commissioned to create the piece by curator Charlotte Lurot. The exhibition, supported by HRH The Prince of Wales, focuses on the modern, innovative and avant garde use of wool in creative industries.

Gray's video and sound installation is fully interactive - visitors listen to a soundscape through pre-triggered headphones and look at a fully visual 'colour story' unfolding in front of them that encapsulates the diversity, chaos, symmetry and many textural possibilities of the warp and weft of the wool.

The physical installation is a frame structure with three panels of stretched wool yarns

UK - Chauvet Europe will showcase a spread of Chauvet Professional fixtures at the ABTT Theatre Show 2012.

MVP 12 is a lightweight, tri-colour SMD LED modular video panel designed for high-resolution graphics and live action video. Featuring a semi-transparent design, MVP 12 allows lighting and elements to pass through while maintaining high resolution and clarity. MVP 12 video panels easily interlock for dramatic displays. The Legend 412 is a pixel-mapping moving yoke wash fixture featuring 12 quad-coloured RGBW LEDs controllable in quadrants.

As seen on the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing that runs on UK's BBC1, the powerful yet lightweight Q-Wash 560Z-LED is equally suited for highlighting specific areas or for flooding the stage with light.

COLORado 2 Zoom Tour offers brightness, flexibility and wide range zoom of 8-35°. 61 x 3W Cree RGBW LEDs de

South Korea - Christie, official content sponsor for Expo 2012, Yeosu, reports that the Organising Committee for Expo 2012 has selected Christie Roadie HD+35K projectors for its signature multimedia night show. Set against the natural backdrop of the Yeosu Sea, the 47m high Big-O is the world's largest water curtain and the landmark installation at the expo.

Designed and directed by France-based ECA2, who were involved in shows such as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 World Cup in France and the Eiffel Tower Millennium Show, the 'O' stands for the ocean and resembles the numerical zero to illustrate a new beginning for the sea. The show is expected to remain as a permanent centrepiece after Expo.

Two sets of triple-stacked Christie Roadie HD+35Ks project a short animated film about ocean conservation onto the water screen at the internal rim of the 'O' which is l

The Netherlands - In association with the Dutch manufacturer CLS-LED, Dutch project management company, 4Stage.net, recently completed the Energy Experience Centre for Leusden's DE Partner company. DE Partner is in cooperation with Bloemendal Bouw, which specialises in renewable energy promotion. With CLS-LED, 4Stage.net installed and programmed light, audio and video equipment in a portable storage container.

The equipment used needed to reflect the importance of energy efficiency with the project including a 10-minute video presentation that takes the visitor through all the issues that come with durable and energy efficient construction, renovation and housing. Visual Productions' CueCore proved to be the right choice for solid-state lighting control and this unit benefits from having a minimal power consumption.

The presentation takes place on four synchronized big LED scr

UAE - SGM Lighting and TechnoPro have agreed a new distribution deal that takes the relationship which the two companies have enjoyed for many years to a new level. SGM's CEO Peter Johansen and TechnoPro founder and chief executive Nabil Bourgeili confirmed an agreement to extend the brand's territorial representation far beyond the UAE, during the PALME Middle East show in Dubai this month.

Under the new ownership of Danish entrepreneur Johansen, the former Italian lighting company is now focusing exclusively on LED fixtures. In fact the launch of next generation LED effects into the Middle East market formed a dynamic component of TechnoPro's massive 1000sq.m display at PALME - making them easily the largest single exhibitor at the show.

Johansen comments: "We are delighted to be partnering again with Nabil, as TechnoPro looks to move further into LED technology and the

Finland - During the darkest days of winter, Helsinki brightens the nights in an event called Lux Helsinki. This year's event featured a series of architectural lighting installations and fine art performances around town designed to enchant the eye and illuminate the soul.

Lighting consoles from High End Systems, a Barco company, were in command of one of Helsinki's most visible landmarks - the Olympic Stadium Tower - which was transformed into a light installation called the Variant Spectrum.

Lighting designer Jukka Huitila of Sun Effects created the spectrum of colour using LED lighting fixtures and a 12W laser positioned on 22 balconies of the tower. Programmer Sami Rautaneva chose a Wholehog 3 console and a DP8000 to programme and run the LED fixtures, set up in two universes. A Road Hog Full Boar helped with the first day's focusing and setup procedures, and also

UK - GDS and Gloucestershire-based Chinnick Theatre Services (CTS) recently commissioned a complete re-fit of the Bacon Theatre's house light system.

The Bacon Theatre sits in the grounds of Dean Close School in Cheltenham. Built in 1991 it owes its name to Mr Christopher Bacon, former headmaster of the independent School. Mr Bacon fundraised tirelessly to build the Bacon Theatre which is used as a resource by Dean Close School pupils as well as hosting the best of professional touring theatre, live music, dance, film and accommodating local talented youth, community groups and charities.

The GDS engineering team visited the site with CTS in the summer of 2011 and designed the 566-seat theatre a retrofit house lighting solution, incorporating its ArcSystem LED auditorium lighting fixtures. The theatre had in place an ageing track light system which was proving increasingly dif

USA - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice's Evita has returned to Broadway for the first time in 30 years, in a new production directed by Michael Grandage, choreographed by Rob Ashford, designed by Christopher Oram with lighting by Tony- and Olivier-award winning lighting designer Neil Austin - who received both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for the show's lighting.

To keep track of that lighting as it was created and then what for what looks certain to be a long, successful run, Austin and his team turned to FocusTrack to document the lighting rig, and to SpotTrack to document the show's four followspots.

The rig itself is made up pre-dominantly of tungsten moving lights, including ETC Revolutions, Martin TW1s, Vari-Lite VL5Bs and DHA Pitching Digital Light Curtains, with some discharge punch then provided by VL1000AS fixtures and PRG's new Best Boy 40

UK / France - Entec continued its supply of full production to a string of high profile shows for major international superstars with Japanese rockers L'Arc-en-Ciel.

Entec provided lighting, rigging, sound equipment, and crew, plus site and local co-ordination services for shows at Le Zenith in Paris and Indigo at the O2 Arena in London, and arranged pyrotechnics, video, trucking and buses.

L'Arc-en-Ciel, formed in 1991, have sold over 13m albums and 16m singles and are completing a monumental world tour celebrating 20 years at the very top of Japanese pop / rock.

Entec's project manager Noreen O'Riordan received the call from the band's production director Richard Ames. His relationship with the company dates back many years, and Entec handled full production and co-ordination for him on two massive X-Japan shows last year.

As well as supplying sound, lighting and rigging

USA - Chauvet SlimPAR Pro Tri wash lights uplight the obstacle courses used in the filming of G4's and NBC's American Ninja Warrior. The television show, billed as the "world's most difficult and action-packed obstacle course competition series", gives everyday men and women from across the country the opportunity to compete for glory, the 'American Ninja Warrior' title and a cash prize.

Lighting designer Adam Biggs and lighting director Ed Motts use 225 Chauvet SlimPAR Pro Tri wash lights, supplied by Felix Lighting, during the Southwest Region finals, held on the historic Venice Beach boardwalk.

The obstacle course is a study of truss sculptures, uplit by the low-profile fixtures, set among an arduous course of ramps, platforms, beams and more, all atop pools of water supporting the competition's one rule: 'don't get wet'

"SlimPAR Pro Tri is ideal for

The Netherlands - Royal Philips Electronics has announced the 200th licensee to sign up to its LED luminaire and retrofit bulb licensing program. Paulmann Light GmbH has gained access to Philips' portfolio of patented LED technologies and solutions offered in the licensing program. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the Philips LED luminaire licensing program, enabling and fostering the industry's growth in its transition from conventional lamps to energy efficient LED-based lighting solutions.

Arian Duijvestijn, senior vice-president of Philips Intellectual Property & Standards said: "As the market leader in LED lighting technology, we are opening up the market for LED lighting to companies and customers around the world through our LED luminaire licensing program. We are delighted to welcome Paulmann as our 200th licensee. This is a landmark moment for the

UK - Stage Electrics has announced the expansion of its senior management team with the appointment of a new managing director. This move further strengthens the senior leadership team with Dan Aldridge taking up the post of managing director. Dan has been involved in the company for over six years, both as operations director and most recently as a non-executive director. Founder and majority shareholder of Stage Electrics, David Whitehead, will continue in the role of chairman.

David Whitehead comments: "For many years I have fulfilled the role of both Chairman and Managing Director. The time is right to make a distinction between these roles. As Chairman I will be free to consider strategy, shape vision and support my senior leadership team. I am delighted that Dan has accepted this post and I know that we will work closely together to ensure the future success of the bu

USA - Robert Juliat (RJ) has announced that Alan Keen has joined its American team. Keen joins RJ with more than 20 years experience in design, sales, and management within the theatrical lighting industry, and will be responsible for strengthening relationships with current dealers, specifiers and end-users, while actively identifying and establishing new opportunities and relationships.

Fred Lindauer, Robert Juliat USA managing director, states, "I am thrilled that Alan is part of our team. He shares my desire to provide prompt and enthusiastic customer support and I am confident that his knowledge and experience will be instrumental in growing our business."

"I am excited about the opportunity of working with Robert Juliat," Keen comments. "Robert Juliat manufactures high quality and innovative products for the entertainment and architectural lighti

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

UK - Black Light reports that it is now offering the first Avolites Sapphire Touch lighting desk for hire in the UK. This just-launched product is not the only new addition to the company's extensive hire list, which, thanks to recent extensive investment, boasts a wide range of cutting edge technology such as the energy efficient range of LED lighting from Robe.

"The Sapphire Touch is a really great piece of kit," says Calder Sibbald, Black Light's Head of Hires and Events. "It offers real flexibility, a fantastic user interface and new pixel mapping. We're really excited about being the first company to be able to offer it. It shows our determination to be ahead of the field and offer more innovative products than our competitors."

The Sapphire Touch is Avolites' top-of-the-range stage lighting control console. It integrates the company's comprehensive Ti

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

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 - With a heritage in effects projection development dating back to 1970, OPTI Kinetics has retained its iconic 'Solar' prefix to mark the launch of its first LED-based device.

Back in the golden era of disco the Solar 250 became probably the best known effects projector in the world. The company subsequently embraced the various evolutionary stages of lamp technology and has this month announced the OPTI Solar LED, in its customary white chassis.

Boasting light output of over 650 lumens from a 40W LED module, along with a high colour temperature for truer colour projection and image clarity, the OPTI Solar LED is suitable for all gobo and effect projection applications.

LED technology offers the operator many benefits, including cool running, virtually silent operation and a 100,000-hour effective life of the LED module - over 300 times that of an M33 lamp. LED technology

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

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