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Doughty - Banner - from 4 July 2025

Rigging / Staging

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UK Designed for schools, houses of worship, hotels, event organisers and more, IntelliStage Portable Stage Systems are billed as "the ultimate in portablilty and convenience". They consist of modular, lightweight platforms and risers that can be combined to create customised stages in various heights and configurations.

Easily assembled by a single person, each platform and riser are fastened together using an internal locking system and each platform can bear weight up to 185 lbs./sq.ft (900 KGS/sq.m).

Disassembly and storage are equally convenient. IntelliStage systems are available in kits with an optional compact storage flight case featuring integrated casters.

Platforms and risers are also available on an individual basis. Optional upgrade accessories like storage carts for larger systems and stage skirts are also available.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - A customised Kinesys motor control system has been installed into the Royal Albert Hall. The project was instigated by the Hall's rigging manager, Simon Frost, and was delivered in two phases. With over 360 shows a year staged at the Royal Albert Hall, Frost wanted to introduce additional layers of health & safety and extra flexibility to the rig, which used to work on a conventional up/down motor control system. "I have always liked the design and functionality of Kinesys equipment," he says.

With the hoists hanging over 130ft up in the grid, their movement is barely audible even during complete silence, rare when a show is being rigged. The view is obscured from most positions in the Hall, including the main control area, by an aluminium skin cladding the grid. Frost therefore sought "a tried-and-tested, foolproof system with all the safety features that wo

Doughty - Banner - from 4 July 2025

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UK - Sitting on an exposed outcrop of rock in what is now the heart of the modern day Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle attracts tourists from across the world. And, as well as the castle itself, every summer thousands flock to the Castle as a focal point of the annual Military Tattoo.

Extensive temporary seating galleries are erected around the castle's Esplanade for the tattoo's spectators and, since 1991, advantage has also been taken to use the facilities for live concerts. 2007 saw two Castle Concerts taking place, Blondie with Echo and the Bunnymen on 13 July, followed by Pink two days later.

Star Events provided a 50ft SAM Stage with two fully enclosed, wheeled PA wings for the shows and, in a venue which combines very tight clearances with an ever-present horde of tourists, the Star Events crew were provided with a unique set of challenges.

"The Esplanade is su

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UK - Harlequin will be exhibiting its Flying Ballet Wagon at PLASA 2007, developed in conjunction with the German company, Hoac. Designed originally for Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam who needed to remove and set out their dance floor easily and quickly but were faced with an old ballet wagon, which required extensive manpower and time to assemble.

Harlequin Liberty sprung panels already in use at the theatre had proved popular with dancers, so the solution was to build them into a new mobile wagon, retained by a special system allowing them to be stored vertically in the fly tower, but also ensuring that they perform exactly as intended when horizontal on the stage floor.

See Harlequin at PLASA on stand D73.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - For around 1,800 BT sales executives at BT UK Global Services annual UK sales conference in July, The NEC in Birmingham called upon Blackout to provide 1,500m of long drop black-wool-serge drape, 2,000m of trussing, install the roof points and rig 200 motors through Halls, 10, 11 and 12. The event was project managed by Blackout's Ken Nock who has many years of experience managing the rigging for events at The NEC.

The whole venue had a 'Game-on' theme, which was designed and produced by marketing agency, George P Johnson. BT sales staff were in a blacked-out and immersive environment whereby each of the halls had the quality of an interactive game.

For the main presentation, a Musion 'Pepper's Ghost' screen was used to allow inter-play between live action, video and graphics and was visible to all areas of the auditorium. Blackout was responsible for rigging the 20 x 10m

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UK - For the first time, PLASA 07 is offering attendees the chance to register for both wysiwyg and Vivien workshops from Cast.

"Vivien is a most powerful, comprehensive software design tool available to meeting and event professionals, enabling users to produce a picture today of tomorrow's event," says a spokesman for Cast. "In this workshop at PLASA, you will learn how to create 2D room layouts, amazing virtual views, and spectacular, 3D photorealistic renderings for use in your eye-popping presentations." Using Vivien's Wizards and tools, attendees will quickly and easily design seating and table arrangements, pipe and drape, and video projection."

In the more advanced intermediate workshop, attendees will get a comprehensive look at inserting library items, applying textures, importing objects from third party programmes like AutoCAD and Google Sk

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UK - The act of releasing drapes and props onto a stage, called the Kabuki drop, which is used extensively in the theatre and events markets can now be undertaken remotely following the launch of the Electro Kabuki by Magnet Schultz, a market leader in the manufacturer of specialist solenoid actuators and mechanisms.

Superseding previous methods, which are unable to meet the requirements of load capacity, functionality and reliability, the Electro Kabuki has been developed following extensive consultation with the theatre and events industries, says the company.

The Electro Kabuki has been designed to reliably release weights of up to 50kg and is suitable for applications where the requirement is to discharge or drop drapes, dummies or cables on cue as a straight drop or at any angle. Also suitable for very light loads, the Electro Kabuki is supplied off-the-shelf with all ele

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USA - Theatrical engineer John Charles "Jack" Suesse died on 17 August following a brief illness. He was 64. For more than 30 years, Jack was associated with J. R. Clancy Inc, the oldest theatrical rigging company in the US, serving as president from 1986-2005. He then formed his own consulting firm, J. Suesse & Associates, and also served as a special projects advisor to Stage Technologies in London and Las Vegas. He was a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and was selected as a Fellow of the United States Institute for Technical Theater in 1993.

Jack worked on theatrical projects of all sizes across the world including the Peace Center in Greenville, SC, the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, the Chicago Opera House, and the United States Naval Academy. He had a long-standing concern for safety and served on the Ente

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UK - Blackout has developed a new variation of gabled truss, designed to allow users to make the most use of space inside temporary structures. The new product was used for the first time this year at Grant & Anthea's Summer Ball in a marquee at their home in Surrey in mid-July, and Blackout says it is confident there will be many more applications in the months and years to come.

"The ground support truss system followed the sloping roof line of the temporary structure as well as sufficiently supporting lighting and sound loads while not intruding on the space below. It can go right up into the apex of any interior space, such as marquees or converted barns and warehouses," explains Blackout managing director Steve Tuck. "This in turn gives event designers many more options in terms of where they position lighting, loudspeakers and other fittings."

In buil

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UK - International staging specialists Stageco provided the organisers with three identical main stages for shows on both sides of the Atlantic, for the second year running.

The company supplied its Classic 4-Tower Roof system, offering a 25 x 20m performance area to bands such as Basement Jaxx, Kasabian and The Killers in the UK and The Police and The Smashing Pumpkins in the USA.

This tried and tested stage design was introduced by Stageco 17 years ago and is still highly popular with production teams for festivals and touring throughout Europe: it was used recently for Metallica tour 07, and the German festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. The V Festival stages were installed over a three day build and took just two days to demount, creating a consistent focal point at all the shows.

The European Stageco teams under the management of Dirk de Decker installed the main s

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China - The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Shanghai from 2-11 October 2007. The event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States. In addition to almost 7,500 athletes, Special Olympics expects the Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of spectators and journalists.

The Opening Ceremonies for the World Games will be produced by award-winning producer/director Don Mischer and take place in the 80,000-seat Shanghai Stadium.

Trinity Technology, responsible for the supply of technical equipment for the Opening Ceremonies, selected Prolyte Asia Pacific to supply Prolyft hoists for the rigging equipment. Over 260 hoists, in various types, are currently being installed in the new stadium. A crew of trained technicians organised by Pro

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Ireland - J&C Joel has designed, fabricated and installed seven movable acoustic panels in the main Curtis Auditorium at the prestigious new Cork School of Music.

The J&C Joel team led by Tony Griffiths, played an active role in ensuring that the 420 seat Curtis Auditorium has the flexibility to provide exactly the right acoustic environment for anything from piano recitals to full orchestral performances to vocal and choral works.

J&C Joel's biggest challenge was presented by their late appointment to the project. By the time this happened, all the AC, ventilation, heating ducting, drainage pipes, containment trays and other plant and services were already in place up in the plenum - the sound proofed concealed roof space above the auditorium.

This is where all the suspension and movement control equipment required for the seven panels had to be installed - comprising a com

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UK - Best known in the sports and corporate hospitality world, Arena Structures strapped on a guitar and turned its amps up to 11 for a stroll into rock and pop territory this August. The company provided over 40 structures for the V Festival site at Hylands Park in Chelmsford.

Providing everything from crew catering structures to the spectacularly themed Virgin hospitality area, project manager Mark Shelley installed a wide range of structures across the large site. They were a welcome shelter to crew, artists, audience and guests alike, as one of the rainiest festival seasons in recent memory drew to a damp close.

(Jim Evans)

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UK/USA - Mojo Barriers were called in to supply the crowd management barriers for the main stages at both UK sites of the V Festival - Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and Weston Park, Staffordshire. At the same time, it worked in Baltimore's Pimlico Racecourse for the US version of the event.

The company has worked at the UK festival for many years, but, as always, V Festival production manager Tony Wheeler of Nine Yards Ltd, alongside promoters Metropolis and SJM, decided to take a long, hard look at other products available for the 2007 events.

Following the review, Mojo was delighted to be invited back to provide barriers for the festivals' most demanding areas, the main stages, where organisers needed complete confidence in the ability of the barrier to handle the large crowd pressures.

Mojo Barriers' US service was the choice for the festival's twin event in Baltimore, USA. T

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UK - PSCo is launching a revolutionary lifting solution in the UK, enabling easy, fast and cost effective installation for the 103" Panasonic Plasma.

PSCo has partnered with German manufacturers Mediascreen to launch this flight-case based system which can position the 103" up to 3m in the air at the touch of a button. The Screen Lifter is a specially designed portable installation, handling and display system, which is now available for both trade rental and sale from PSCo.

The sheer size of the new Panasonic 103" Plasma screen has presented an installation challenge for early purchasers of the system. Until now the 8ft wide, 220kg screen has required bespoke lifting for both permanent and temporary installations, be that a domestic environment, an exhibition or a luxury retail outlet.

However, The Screen Lifter houses the 103" screen in a flight case on

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UK - The Verlinde Technologies division of French manufacturer Verlinde has announced that that Simon Rothechild's new title is business development manager for UK and Ireland with immediate effect. Rothechild is now also responsible for the South African territory, as well as other international regions for Verlinde, which are due to come on stream soon.

Thomas Descamps, Verlinde's managing director, said: "Simon has proved over many months an enthusiasm and aptitude to perform in the role, and he continues to hit his new business targets. Our sales in UK and Ireland are on track, and we are pleased to extend Simon's role to South Africa where he has already helped us make significant inroads into a major new marketplace."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Visitors to the PLASA Show at Earls Court from 9-12 September, can pay a visit to Stand H69 for an opportunity to win a prize of £1000 worth of staging products - courtesy of the boys and girls at Hoist UK, Litestructures and Rope Assemblies.

Visit Stand H69 at PLASA 07.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - From 31 August, Stage Technologies' US office will be closer to the heart of Las Vegas. Recent projects such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Carnegie Hall, the San Francisco Opera and a large number of new US contracts have resulted in Stage Technologies' American operations quickly outgrowing its current office and workshop facilities.

The company has experienced rapid expansion over recent years and believes that the new 8000sq.ft premises will provide its engineers with better facilities and allow it to respond and deliver a high quality service to its clients.

The new office is located within close proximity to major interstates 15 and 215 and is within six miles of McCarran International Airport. The full address is: Stage Technologies Inc, 6651 Schuster Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118, USA

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Four decades after Cliveden in Buckinghamshire had its most infamous encounter with rock 'n' roll, August 2007 saw the music return with a vengeance as the National Trust-owned property hosted the two day Cliveden Rocks festival.

It was in May 1965 that the Beatles famously spent two days at Cliveden while filming scenes for the film Help!, so it was appropriate that the second day of the festival featured tribute act The Bandit Beatles.

A family-orientated festival featuring tribute bands The Strolling Bones, ZU2, the Bandit Beatles and The Magic of Abba, ending with a spectacular firework finale, Cliveden Rocks saw Star Events Group provide a Morbit stage for the bands to play on.

"This is the first rock / pop event that Cliveden has hosted," says the National Trust's Richard Jordan-Baker. "But I have worked with Star Events Group many times in t

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UK - Software developer Stardraw.com has announced the appointment of Paul Clark to the position of software developer and designer. Prior to this, Clark had already been named as Stardraw's very first Certified Programmer for Stardraw Control in the latter part of 2006.

Stardraw.com CEO David Snipp confirmed that the appointment of Paul Clark was a logical step for the company. "We had been looking for a while, but good programmers are hard to find, especially good programmers with an industry background who understand our objectives and our market. Paul was the ideal candidate - already a Certified Programmer with an excellent working and technical knowledge of Stardraw Control, and a good understanding of how we work as a company. I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the team."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - The Scissor Sisters 2007 Ta-Dah Tour featuring dates at London's 02 and Manchester's MEN arenas played to packed houses, and featured stage set and trussing rig from Litestructures. This was the second slice of Litestructures action for the Scissors, following last year's tour.

Working to a concept by designer Marc Brickman, overseen by Scissor Sisters production manager, Litestructures provided both the custom staging and the trussing. The set, measuring 15m wide, 12m deep and 10m high, took just five weeks to design and build, from concept to completion.

A total of 64 Litedeck modules, including a custom curved section at the leading edge of the stage created the trademark shape of the Scissors' legs as functioning walkways. For greater toughness and greater translucence, Litestructures specified Macrolon deck surfaces, with underlit flash effects lighting to pro

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UK - Celebrating its 30th birthday at PLASA07, James Thomas Engineering (JTE) will be unveiling the beginning of a new corporate identity and announcing the restructuring of the sales team.

Andy Walters will head up the sales team supported by Chris Waller as special projects manager. Walters has been involved with PixelRange for the last five years, but has returned to the generic lighting and truss side of JTE to concentrate on the development of the existing product range and the creation of new concepts.

Walters explains, "The next few months will be an exciting time, we will present two new product catalogues at PLASA and new web site will be launched towards the end of the year. Both Chris and I are looking forward to new JTE era."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - PLASA 2007 sees Zero 88 taking on the European distribution for the LightFactory range of lighting control software. Designed in New Zealand this software has been growing its user base globally.

Martin Searancke of LightFactory says: "I am excited by linking with Zero 88. Their product brand and distribution network is well established in the European market. I am looking forward to working with their distributors in Europe to establish our software as the choice for PC-based control."

Zero 88 will be selling LightFactory as a complete boxed package. This will include the software, Zero 88 USB to DMX dongles and quick start guides to allow the software to be installed and used quickly. The design allows all the DMX processing to be done in the dongle's Neutrik 5-pin connector.

Several options will be offered, from one universe to 64 universes of DMX control.

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UK - Specialist crowd management and security company, Showsec, provided security for Creamfields 2007 and ensured that festival goers enjoyed their bank holiday in safety.

Creamfields relocated last year from the Old Liverpool Airfield, Speke in Liverpool, to Daresbury Estate, Cheshire, and more than 40,000 music fans gathered on the green-field site this year to see headliners Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Kelis and LCD Soundsystem along with the extraordinary line up of top DJs that Creamfields is famous for.

Showsec has supported Creamfields event management company, Loud Sound, for a number of years, working in close partnership with them on many different events all over the country. During the run up to the show, Showsec worked closely with Loud Sound to develop an all encompassing crowd management plan that covered everything from traffic management to on site crow

  1. Hoist UK allies with Litestructures GB
  2. Slingco installs CableNET at Queen Margaret's
  3. L&SI's digital edition goes live
  4. J&C Joel helps acoustic treatment at RFH
  5. PLASA07 opens for business
  6. PLASA Events to acquire A.C. North Trade Show
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