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Rigging / Staging

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UK - "Common-Sense is one of those products that you don't need every day, but when you do - it's the only solution!" say Artistic Licence of their new product. As the name suggests, it is a common point for sensors and interfaces in the world of show control and systems integration.

Common Sense provides a wealth of input and output functions including opto-isolated contacts, keypad readers, analogue sensors, real time clock, DMX512, MIDI, MIDI Timecode, RS232 and RS485. A Windows software package, Sense-Edit, is used to configure the relationship between all of the inputs and outputs. This can include up to 350 discrete events such as 'When DMX channel 3 passes 50% send this serial data string'.

Common-Sense has recently been extended to provide even more functionality. The optical inputs can now be combined using Boolean equations to provide even greater triggerin

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UK - GSL Power Distribution has announced what it says is "a breakthrough in power management" with the launch of its new interchangeable power distribution modules. Designed for the rental market, to give ultimate flexibility in power distribution, the Revolution Range will receive its UK debut at PLASA 06 (10-13 September, Earls Court, London).

With the Revolution, the company says, the need to predict future power requirements will no longer be necessary, as the rack-mounted modules are easily interchangeable by simply unplugging the Veam snap-locks (mini power locks). "Basically," says Garry Lodge MD of GSL Power Distribution, "you decide what outputs you require on the 3U module and we translate your ideas into practical reality. Probably the two most important aspects of this new development are that it is truly cost-effective (you only have to inv

LSi 40 - Banner - July-Nov 2025

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UK - After many years of service to both Stage One and the industry, Simon Whitaker, former MD and founding partner of Stage One, has retired from the company. Mark Johnson, the company's current managing director, said: "I'm sure that many people would like to join us in wishing Simon all the very best for the future."

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Arena Seating supplied three tiered grandstands to the British International Motor Show at ExCel this year.

Organisers created a new look exhibition when the UK's most prestigious motor show returned to London for the first time in 30 years. One of the new features of the exhibition was the Motor Theatre, which ran four presentations a day of a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet throughout the event featuring performers, stunt cars and JCB plant.

In the evenings following the show, Tim Etchells, Rob Mackenzie (for IMIE) and Harvey Goldsmith used the temporary theatre as the venue for a series of nine concerts, Dock Rock, featuring UB40, Brian Ferry, Van Morrison and The SugaBabes.

Robbie Wilson of RnR Logistics was the event manager (responsible for the site, health & safety and production), who brought in Arena Seating to help create the dual-purpose temporary theatre

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Worldwide - Automation and control specialists Kinesys have designed and built a bespoke control system for 40 giant streamer cannons which have been added to the latest leg of the Rolling Stones Bigger Bang world tour.

It's been project managed and engineered for Kinesys by Andy Cave who's been working closely with Andy Edwards from Brilliant, designer of the hardware, in conjunction with the show's set designer Mark Fisher.

This also follows on from work Kinesys completed earlier in the tour involving the design and build of a motion control system to move the B Stage into the middle of the auditorium.

The compressed air cannons are rigged to a header truss running the width of the stage, each containing a very long piece of folded silk, which is ejected - parachute style - at the designated moment, forced out by compressed air.

Kinesys was asked to design a syste

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UK - There may have been an absence of Glastonbury Festival this year, but Glastonbury Abbey delivered live music to the south west and pleased the crowds this August, with the help of That's EnTEEtainment production behind the show.

The annual three night extravaganza organised by Michael Eavis partly as a thank you to the people of Glastonbury for their acceptance of the main festival and also to raise funds for Glastonbury Abbey, this year hosted Jools Holland, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rat Pack, performing to thousands in the beautiful surroundings of the Abbey.

Having been involved with Glastonbury Festival for eight years and Glastonbury Abbey for 11 years, Dick Tee of That's EnTEEtainment was the production manager for the show, overseeing the complete production from build up to break down.

Arriving on site five days prior to the event, Tee and his tea

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UK - Pharos Architectural Controls will be exhibiting at PLASA 06 in Earls Court next month on stand F31. The Pharos Lighting Playback Controller (LPC) won a PLASA Innovation Award at PLASA 05, and is ideal for architectural, retail and themed entertainment environments that require sophisticated control of colour mixing, dimming, moving light and LED sources. Its advanced timeline-based lighting control, versatile triggering options and rugged solid-state construction make it the ideal all-in-one control solution for fixed installations, the company says.

At PLASA 06 Pharos will be introducing additional products to the LPC range, including the Remote Input Output (RIO) Module, and demonstrating the latest designer software, with a host of new features including Mac OS-X support.

Pharos will also preview a brand new controller which will extend the Pharos range in a new direc

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UK - Hawthorns have released a unique new facility on their website to assist hire customers quickly build a specification and get an idea of budget costs. "The new online Hire shop is a fully automated system which allows customers to view each item from the thumbnail picture gallery, select individual products from our extensive hire stock, check the pricing and build up a quote," said Simon Wood, general manager of Hawthorn's. "It will make getting a budgetary quote so much easier for customers as they can do it at anytime, 24/7, 365 days a year and the system even remembers to add in the essential auxiliary components."

The system produced quotes may be saved and sent to the Hire team experts at Hawthorn's for confirmation of specification, formalisation of pricing and confirmation of equipment availability. "We are already receiving excellent feedba

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USA - With the introduction of the new SQ-CP1 Mobile Crank-Up System, Global Truss America has made it possible for lighting users to keep their feet on the floor as they assemble overhead rigs of hanging effects and fixtures.

The SQ-CP1 Mobile Crank-Up System is a cost-saving, all-in-one package that includes two square pieces of truss, the necessary support bars and two crank stands - everything you need to erect a fully loaded, stable rig without having to climb a ladder.

"You can stand there and hang your lights at eye level, then crank 'er up," said Ken Kahn, general manager of Global Truss America. "That's why crank stands make it so much easier to rig your lighting, especially if you're a solo act. Plus, the SQ-CP1 Mobile Crank-Up System's strong lightweight aluminium trussing is simple to assemble - no tools are required, and all the connector pins you n

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UK - A.C. Lighting Ltd, the exclusive UK distributor of Litec truss and rigging products, has recently taken its first stock delivery of the new QX30S series of truss. Litec's S series has evolved from their most widely used truss QX30, and features improved characteristics and overall appearance.

The popular end plate system has a new design, produced from a new aluminium alloy that is heat treated to ensure even greater strength and provide a bright polished appearance. The diagonal chords have been re-configured and their diameter changed to improve the aesthetic appearance and increase the overall strength of the truss. The new S series trusses still employ the same dual connection systems of bolt kits or fast connection kits as the existing range, to ensure full compatibility between the lines.

The new design features will be carried over into the rest of the Standard and

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UK - "Reliability is one of the things that sets us apart from the competition," said Simon Wood, sales and marketing director at Stage One. This was demonstrated recently when, for the 13th year running, Stage One's set building expertise was called into play for one of the most high profile AGM's in the business calendar, that of Marks & Spencer. Held at the ICC, Birmingham, Stage One was asked by Jack Morton Worldwide to build extensive sets for a registration area, main auditorium and an exhibition area.

"Repeat business is vital in our industry and the fact that we've been working with many of the same clients for a number of years is testament to the quality of our work," said Simon. He added, "Our clients know that we can consistently produce a top quality service on time and on budget."

Stage One's work in the main auditorium included: bui

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UK - Tim Searle has been promoted to project manager working from Blackout's London office. He will further develop the installation service offered to clients and is currently working on numerousevents including film screenings at Somerset House. Other projects Searle has managed include a celebration event for Pernod, a corporate seminar for SPS and the Reebok Tennis Event held in Notting Hill Gate, London.

"Having worked for many years in an installation capacity at Blackout, I am delighted to be a part of the project management team working alongside Chris Brain and Kevin Monks," explains Tim Searle.

Steve Tuck, managing director says: "Tim has proved his strong knowledge and experience of the industry and of our core products and services. His excellent technical and people skills ensures that he is well respected by customers and colleagues alike. Tim also

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UK - Road Ready will be exhibiting at PLASA on stand - M48 and will be deomonstarting their easy set-up new IntelliStage System.

One of the most versatile, strong and lightweight stage system on the market today, the IntelliStage consists of modular lightweight platforms and risers that can be combined to create customised stages in various heights( 20cm, 30, cm, 40cm, or 60cm), shapes( Y-shape, rectangle and round ) and configurations.

Road Ready's IntelliStage also features a unique internal locking system that allows for easy set-up and tear-down and ensures that all components are bolted tight and are safe to use. Each IntelliStage platform set can bear up to 900 kg / sqm and comes standard with a rugged carpeted finish. Optional upgrade Duraflex platform finish is available as well with range of accessories such as storage flight cases, riser couplers, steps, riser clamps

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UK - Fuzion plc will enjoy a high profile at PLASA 06, introducing some of their new distributed lines, such as Vity and Mipro as well as more consolidated brands such as Nexo and Camco. They will also have products from other companies whom they exclusively represent, including Australian Monitor, Littlite, Radian, Radia Pro, Symetrix, t&m Systems and Work - mixed up in Fuzion's own signature brand of hospitality.

On show will be products from Vity Technology - a French manufacturer of corporate and home automation products based on LCD 'Media Bus' touch panels and controllers. Announcing the new distribution arrangement, Fuzion sales director Paul Ward described the IP-addressable range, which includes LCD professional panels, matrix switchers and scalers for the corporate boardroom and multimedia market, as a perfect addition to the company's product portfolio.

Fuzion will

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UK - Industry innovators Global Design Solutions (GDS), whose Blues System will be on show at PLASA 06 next month (10-13 September, Earls Court, London), have been recognised for their inspirational business ideas and approach, having been selected as winners of the South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN) unique business investor opportunity competition.

GDS provides forward-thinking new technical product design and business consultancy services to the entertainment, leisure and associated industries. The company also specialises in bespoke design and installation of high-end integrated control systems, ranging from residential to marine, offering both third party development and working for end clients.

Having impressed the judges and been crowned winners of the competition, GDS were given the opportunity to discuss their business plan over a private lunch to SWAIN dire

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USA - ANSI E1.20-2006 Remote Device Management (RDM) for DMX512 has recently been published and is available for immediate purchase as a PDF or hard copy, ESTA has announced. The PDF and hard copy are available from ANSI's Electronic Standards Store or The ESTA Foundation . The list price is $40; member and quantity discounts are available. Members of the new ESTA Technical Standards Program Subscription Service automatically receive this new standard as well as copies of all published documents as part of their subscription.

ANSI E1.20 (RDM) is an extension to DMX512 that allows for bi-directional communication on the primary pair of a DMX512 link. This allows for a controller or piece of test equipment to intelligently discover other RDM-enabled devices on the link such as moving l

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UK - Slingco, the specialist in rigging solutions and steel wire, will showcase its CABLEnet tension wire grid system and its award-winning Unibar product, and also presents Vortek's range of motorized rigging solutions, including a new Point Hoist, at the PLASA Show this year.

Slingco's legendary CableNet tension wire grid system continues to be a popular method for creating a safe and flexible environment from which technical staff - including wheelchair users - can work at height in all types of venues or spaces. Slingco was the first British-based company to design, manufacture and install a tensioned wire grid and is the European market leader in this specialist technology.

Recent high profile theatre installations include a completely circular grid in the newly re-opened Roundhouse - which contains a rare circular CableNet, only the third in the UK. The CableNet system i

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France - Blackout were engaged to provide a dramatic environment for a country-wide launch of the new Peugeot 207 to French motor dealers and customers.

The launch was held simultaneously in eight different cities across France including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nancy, Nantes, Bordeaux, Avignon and Le Mans.

Working closely with events production company Communication 105, in each of the venues, Blackout created an elliptical box-shaped auditorium that had a sophisticated set-up of Blackout tracking systems.

A total of over 1,400 metres of drape was used across all venues. During each presentation, specific drapes surrounding the auditorium were opened so that guests could walk out into numerous exhibit areas. Here, Blackout's lightweight Easi-Build Pipe and Drape system was provided on 9m x 3.5m backdrops and formed a stylish way to showcase large photographs of the new car and

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Germany - ChainMaster has introduced the JumboLift, designed to lift heavy weights such as video cubes. The BGV-C1 chain hoist will be capable of lifting weights as great as 6,000kg, and is equipped with a frequency converter, incremental encoder and (optionally) with an absolute value encoder. The controller is available in both one- and two-channel configurations; a control cabinet control system with breakdown control can also be implemented. The JumboLift is also available as a BGV-D8 version, say the company.

Also new from ChainMaster is a manual controller for up to 48 chain hoists. With the remote control, which is equipped with a 5.7" touch-screen, it is possible to program runs as well as display individual positions and loads. It will also be possible to effect a group shutdown in the event of the synchronicity tolerance being exceeded, the target position being o

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UK - Lite Structures will launch Digitruss - an innovative, cable-free, truss system that incorporates both live circuits and data rails within the one structure - at the PLASA Show this year. The data rails can carry both the architectural protocol DALI and the entertainment industry standard DMX512, enabling both conventional and intelligent lighting to be attached to the same truss without the need for extension cables.

Litestructures says: "With Digitruss from Lite Structures it is now possible to cost effectively create, seamless, colourful mood paintings or micro climates. You can now stimulate your audience with an endless variety of canvasses in a fraction of the time and with reduced labour costs. Any number of light, sound and visual sources can be incorporated in the one, cable-free, lightweight, low maintenance, environmentally friendly, infinitely flexible trus

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Germany - Protonic Software, developer of the Easyjob rental management system, has introduced what it calls "an easier way to make informed business decisions" - The Easyjob Business Information Center (BIC). This new tool critically analyzes data from an existing Easyjob database and displays key figures on one easy-to-read screen. Users can quickly and easily determine the profitability of projects, the return on investment for purchases, the cost-effectiveness of employees and freelancers, plus much more. Full-colour reports and statistics can be saved and distributed in a variety of formats such as PDF and Microsoft Excel files.

Protonic Software representatives will conduct live demonstrations of the new Easyjob BIC at the 2006 PLASA Show (10-13 September, Earl's Court, London). Protonic software GmbH/Corporation is the leading manufacturer of software solutions

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UK - Madonna, one of the biggest names in the music industry, played a one-night show at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday 30 July to an audience of 60,000 during her Confessions Tour.

Star Events Group Ltd has recently been appointed as the technical management company for the Stadium. Part of its remit is to enable the production to fully utilise the capacity of the retractable roof. After consultations with the engineering company, the stated capacity of the roof was increased considerably: over 50 tonnes can now be flown above the arena stage positions and, for the first time, shows using the whole stadium can fly delays from the retractable roof as well. This enabled Star Events Group and Madonna's production team to replace the proposed ground support solutions for the delay PA, spotlight platform and mother-grid needed to support the protruding mirror ball truss with

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UK - A life-sized carousel is operated by a mechanical revolve supplied by Stage Technologies and sets the scene for love, romance and sometimes violence between two lovers in a nineteenth century New England fishing community. The Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical Carousel is being staged at the Chichester Festival Theatre for a three month run, finishing on the 1 September.

The sets were built by All Scene All Props and the revival uses a Stage Technologies' simple Saxis control unit and hand held controller to operate the revolve which at various times also moves props and people.

Stage Technologies worked with Piers Ross from All Scene All Props to bring the Carousel to life. Piers required a rental system that they could install for this single element of the show. Stage Technologies have been providing rental systems to automate shows for over 10 years

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USA / Canada - After kicking things off in Detroit on 21 July, the Dixie Chicks' Accidents & Accusations tour is in full swing. As with their last world tour, Upstaging is providing a variety of Tomcat equipment to show the three country stars in the best possible light. "We are always pleased to offer Tomcat products," says John Huddleston, director of lighting services for Upstaging, "We have never had a problem with Tomcat trussing, it's safe and dependable."

Over 200' of black powder coated Tomcat LD truss is on the set. In addition to that, there are two sections of 10'6" Swing Wing truss, two 8' sections of Swing Wing truss, six 10' sections of 30" x 20.5" truss, two 30" x 20.5" hinges (all powder coated black) as well as ten 20.5" pick up bars.

The tour runs through until early November with stops in cities throug

  1. Hall Stage highlights for PLASA '06
  2. British Turntable at Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom
  3. Bandit name new public relations manager
  4. Rolling Stones tour with Mojo Barriers
  5. Tomcat takes its workshop on the road
  6. Hawthorn appointed as partner by Prolyte
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