UK - The opening day of PLASA Focus: Leeds 2013 was tremendously busy, with packed aisles, full seminars, and dozens of new products to see on the show floor.

Here are 10 reasons to join us today:

* Audio legend Tony Andrews delivers his Keynote Speech What is Good Audio?

* Martin Audio debuts the MLA Mini

* Ambersphere presents Clay Paky and the Laws of Physics

* Award winning sound designer Gareth Fry gives his seminar Creative Manipulation of Sound

* d&b audiotechnik tell you Why Size Matters

* The ABTT discuss qualifications and competence in the technical theatre sector

* Jon Burton presents How to Soundcheck

* Focusrite deliver their workshop for recording engineers

* Lunch is on us!

* Registration is free on arrival

With all of this on offer and more, PLASA Focus: Leeds 2013 is a show you simply cannot afford to mis

UK - Stage Electrics has announced a management buy-out (MBO) of the business from the estate of David Whitehead. The MBO was fully supported and agreed by David Whitehead prior to his stepping down from the role of managing director in May 2012 as a way to position Stage Electrics for future growth and security, the company says. David Whitehead sadly passed away in February 2013 after a courageous fight against cancer.

The new shareholders - Trevor Smallwood, Dan Aldridge, Bob Smith, James Irvine, Anna Western, Adam Blaxill, Adrian Searle and Ian Tregaskis - combine considerable business experience with a strong knowledge of the entertainment technology industry. Under the new ownership structure, Trevor Smallwood will continue as chairman of the board and the company's executive directors remain unchanged.

Dan Aldridge commented: "Stage Electrics is in a solid position

UK - Flightcase manufacturer 5 Star Cases is sponsoring British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) racing driver Jack Goff.

5 Star join a number of other high profile professional entertainment industry players including Robe, HSL, AC Entertainment Technologies, Green Hippo, J&C Joel and LS Live, who are enthusiastically supporting Goff's first season on the BTCC grid.

Goff is part of Tony Gilham's Team HARD / RCIB Insurance Racing - following his win of the 2012 AirAsia Renault Clio UK Championship.

5 Star's Keith Sykes comments, "It's really exciting to be involved with Jack's rapidly accelerating career. He is highly talented and completely dedicated as well as having a really great personality, and we wish him all the best for a great season ahead.

"Already with two race meetings under our belts it's proved to be a great day out and there is some serious camarad

UK - As an industry leader in advanced technology flooring for dance, the performing arts and display, Harlequin also offers a range of accessories including portable, freestanding or wall-mounted ballet barres to suit every client's budget and demands.

The ballet barre is essential for warm-up and stretching exercises and plays a crucial part in a dancer's fitness regime. Both professional and amateurs can minimise the risk of injury by stretching properly to increase blood-flow to the muscles and improve flexibility whilst achieving an elegant stance.

"Whether you choose Harlequin's portable freestanding or permanent wall-mounted ballet barres, you'll realise they are almost a prerequisite for any dancer," says the company. "Comfortable and sturdy freestanding ballet barres are available in a beech or smooth silver aluminium finish and a range of sizes while s

South Africa - SA Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2013 collections, coordinated by director Lucilla Booyzen, was held from 11-15 April at the Rosebank Hotel, Johannesburg. SA Fashion Week was launched in 1996 and Mauritz Jacobs from Dream Sets has worked on this fashion production for the past 12 years.

As the parking area at the Rosebank Hotel is transformed into a venue to showcase some of South Africa's finest designers, the street lamps in the enormous marquee are the only give-away that you are not, in fact, attending an international fashion event. Thick draping blocks out daylight and the ground is neatly covered with carpeting to create a clean cut looking event. Each show was sold out.

Two seasonal events are held annually in Johannesburg to introduce the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter Collections of a given year. "Lucilla has amazing vision and leadership and every

UK - The Panalux Broadcast & Event team provide specialist, creative solutions to the television, film, live event and concert touring industries. Home to an extensive selection of modern lighting, rigging and control equipment, Panalux B&E has grown steadily over the past few years to become a firmly established, well respected production resource.

With a reputation built not just on service and equipment but on relationships and a willingness to assist throughout every stage of the production cycle, the B&E team remains committed to facilitating the smooth transition of client ideas from concept to completion.

Recent investment and expansion has seen the introduction of a myriad of new products to the B&E equipment range, with a strong focus on new technologies and the design and development of 'own brand' product, created specifically to meet the specific needs of the enter

UK - Motorised systems specialist Triple E's rigid and robust Unitrack system has facilitated smooth scene changes during Leeds-based Northern Ballet's UK tour of The Great Gatsby.

The dance company's technical manager Steven Wilkins worked closely with set designer Jerome Kaplan to devise a set comprising five sets of portal legs that would track on and off stage to different positions to create the various scenes.

"The portal legs were to be moved by the dancers and had to move freely and easily," says Wilkins. "As always at Northern Ballet we set about converting the designer's model into a 3D virtual world to prove that the show will work in the diverse range of venues we tour to. Once we'd worked out the weight of the scenic pieces and that it was within the safe working load of the track Unitrack was an easy choice.

"I choose Triple because e

Sweden - Le Mark's newly appointed export team leader, Hannah Attfield, was on hand to support Swedish distributor Primetime at the 2013 LLB exhibition in Stockholm.

Running for three days, the show drew in some of the biggest names in theatre, TV and stage production.

Primetime, one of Le Mark's key Scandinavian distributors, reported an excellent level of interest in all products including the MagTape professional gaffer tape and ever growing Dirty Rigger gloves & accessories range.

Hannah Attfield commented: "Primetime and their staff are one of the most professional teams I've ever dealt with. They fully understand our products and offer outstanding service to their customers which is so important when distributing and representing our established brands."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Following a period of extensive testing and strong customer feedback the all new Armordillo will show case at the Safety & Health show.

Steve Marshall, chief designer for Dirty Rigger notes: "The Armordillo project was 100% customer driven with their need to have a comfortable all day work glove with excellent grip and flexibility but with a high level of slash and cut resistance.

"We worked within a number of diverse industry sectors including event crewing, rigging, and overhead installation. This ensured that the feedback reflected the true use that these gloves would be exposed to.

"We chose Armourtex flexible shields in key risk areas, with a full Kevlar inner glove to ensure optimum protection and, very importantly, excellent grip. To ensure strength & durability Coats polyester thread was selected to stitch the whole Armordillo into a superb high e

UK - Unusual Rigging has provided a comprehensive and imaginative rigging solution for the lighting, sound, AV and scenic elements of the acclaimed David Bowie is... exhibition at London's V&A museum.

Over 300 objects have been brought together for the first time by the V&A's Theatre and Performance curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, and arranged across two exhibition galleries. Exhibits include many of Bowie's original costumes, music videos, excerpts from films and live performances and set designs.

Unusual Rigging's brief from the exhibition designers, 59 Productions and Real Studios, along with lighting designers DHA Designs, included some very subtle rigging requirements for the many flown scenic elements and projection surfaces, scrims, screens and aerial booths involved.

One major exhibit required Unusual to facilitate approximately 100 books swarm

UK - Following on from the success of the Dynamic Compression dance floor range, Le Mark has introduced Sonata, a matt-black-topped addition to their already established Compression flooring collection.

This 6mm foam-backed performance vinyl floor provides a lightly textured surface with point elastic shock absorption for dynamic dance routines and ballet pointe work, suitable for all types of contemporary dance.

Le Mark's Dave Cartwright said, "The Compression floor range has already been used on some of the UK's highest profile dance productions. Earlier this year, Dynamic Compression was commissioned for Sky1's primetime series of Got To Dance.

"For this application the floor was installed directly over an existing concrete floor, providing a roll-out covering where the shows contestants could practice their high impact and varied dynamic dance routines.&

Sweden - PLASA's first ever networking event in Scandinavia, PLASA Focus: Backstage Malmö, was a huge success, with over 240 delegates attending from across Scandinavia and northern Europe.

Devised in conjunction with technical director Ola Melzig and the production team behind this year's Eurovision, this unique event aimed to combine unprecedented backstage access with seminars, Q&A sessions with key members of the production team and a technology showcase to highlight the cutting-edge sound, lighting, projection, video and control systems in use on a show which will have a television audience in excess of 100m people.

After the event, Melzig said, "What a success! All partners and visitors I've talked with are super happy about the quality of this show, and its visitors. It was really great to share the experience and show what is going on backstage to so many peo

UK - Opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1853, The St George's Hall in Bradford holds a special place in the theatrical history of West Yorkshire. Charles Dickens gave the first ever reading of Bleak House at the hall in 1854, Harry Houdini performed for 'positively one week only' in 1905 and the Halle Orchestra have been regular visitors since 1865. Throughout its century and a half of history, the venue has hosted a remarkable array of events. From hosting stage plays to political rallies.

St George's Hall has twice been significantly damaged by fire and was briefly closed in 2003 following the discovery of small cracks in the ceiling. A Grade II listed building of significant historical interest, the facility is administered by Bradford Metropolitan District Council under the scrutiny of English Heritage.

GDS UK dealer Northern Light was commissioned by the

Sweden - Working closely with technical director Ola Melzig, as well as production designers Frida Arvidsson and Viktor Brattstrom, Tait's European division supplied elements for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. The design concept was to bring the audience and artists physically closer together and bring an intimate live experience to the next level. A three dimensional environment was created on stage, with impressive depth and multiple layers creating interesting landscapes for the live audience and televised broadcast.

Tait provided a 450sq.m rolling main stage, including a downstage apron, pantograph stairway and four flaggapault lifts for dynamic performer stage entrance and exit. A catwalk leading to a B-stage was also provided, integrated into the B-stage was a triple scissor lift that could move up to 6m above the arena floor.

A range of scenic elements were incor

UK - 2013 has seen a constant stream of heart wrenching news stories being broadcast, many involving building collapses caused by natural disasters such as earth quakes. More often, it is by specific man made destruction from rocket or high explosive shells as in Syria

However it was caused, people - men, woman and children were killed or trapped under tons of rubble.

"We are so lucky not to experience or live through such horrendous and simply unimaginable circumstances" quoted Stuart Gibbons, managing director of Le Mark Group including the Dirty Rigger work glove brand. "However, my parents and in particular my mother, did live through the London Blitz of 1940/41, I have never forgotten the stories I was told as a child."

Watching people scrabble through rubble with their bare hands, Gibbons realised Le Mark could, in a very small way, help.

Having r

UK - Working alongside Creative Director, Oli Metcalfe, as well as Production Manager, Chris Vaughan, TAIT provided both custom and rental elements for Muse's stunning stadium tour which opened in the UK this week.

Tait provided a large 61m by 17.6m rolling main stage for the production, with a thrust extending out 26m to the B-stage. The main stage and thrust were finished with specially treated marine wood, paired with a quartz treatment to prevent water damage and provide texture. Two key performance areas were finished with a high gloss treatment for performer movement.

Tait also provided two custom designed technical bunkers with an integrated water protection plumbing system. Housing the backline and sound technicians, the bunkers kept the technicians close to the band but out of audience view during performances. Two front of house bunkers were also manufactured by Tait

Belgium - A key player in the European flight case market K-Teg, has recently agreed a new distribution deal with Dirty Rigger to stock an extended selection of the rigger gloves & accessories range.

"Over the past year we have received a lot of positive comments from our clients about the Dirty Rigger range," says K-Teg's Joeri Swennen. "Confident our customers would benefit, we decided to stock a much wider selection from Dirty Rigger's tool pouch, rigger gloves and accessories range and display them in retail store for customers to come in and view up-close.

"We supply clients in various professional industries throughout Europe and the diverse work glove range that Dirty Rigger and K-Teg now offer gives greater flexibility of choice, allowing clients to select a more suitable glove for their working environment. The Dirty Rigger range seems to constantl

USA - J. R. Clancy has introduced a performer-flying hoist that brings together the company's 127 years of rigging expertise with safety features engineered for the twenty-first century.

Clancy makes this unprecedented move to develop a performer flying hoist as an outgrowth of its introduction of its new SceneControl 5000 line of rigging controllers. The new SceneControl 5000 family has the capability to control performer flying hoists as well as automated rigging for scenery, lighting, and sound equipment. Now users can purchase both the performer flying hoist and the controller from one manufacturer.

"Performer flying hoists are a natural extension of our product line," said Larry Eschelbacher, J. R. Clancy director of engineering. "As the industry develops ANSI standards for performer flying and best practices are being established, this is the right time fo

UK - Floors for dance and the performing arts will once again be showcased at London's Old Truman Brewery for two days this summer, with Harlequin Floors taking an exhibition stand at the ABTT 2013 Theatre Show on 12-13 June.

Visitors to Harlequin on Stand 144 will discover an exciting new service that the world leaders in sprung and vinyl floors is set to add to its market leading product portfolio.

With 50% more exhibition floor space than last year, the 35th ABTT is expected to welcome record-breaking numbers of visitors. On the Harlequin stand in the Orange Hall, visitors will have access to a wide selection of floor types - as well as expert support, guidance and advice from the Harlequin team.

"We have been exhibiting at ABTT for more than 25 years, "said marketing manager, Caroline Reilly, "and we are excited to once again demonstrate our latest product

Bulgaria - The second leg of Bon Jovi's current tour opened in Bulgaria earlier this month, revealing an exquisite Americana-themed set, designed by PEDG's Spike Brant. Serving as production / lighting designer / show director for the tour, Brant turned to Tait to create the 30m inflatable 1959 Buick Electra, which spans the length of the main stage.

Tait supplied all the staging for the tour, including a 34m wide main stage, a band riser and a 30m rounded b-stage catwalk. The Buick Electra's hood sits above the band and is made of three, cold-air inflatable pieces. The three separate pieces measure 30m in total length, and are capable of full inflation in 30 minutes. The inflatable surface has been scenically airbrushed and UV treated for the outdoor shows. It is externally lit from various lighting positions during the show, creating many different looks.

To complete the Bui

UK - The upcoming ABTT exhibition will mark the London launch for entertainment industry training centre Backstage Academy's new two-year BA Visual Production degree.

The ABTT show takes place from 12-13 June at the Old Truman Brewery in the capital city, where Backstage Academy will feature amongst the exhibitors showcasing products, services and training for theatre, covering the latest in things like lighting, sound, staging, seating, stage engineering, projection, textiles, flooring, scenic paints and more.

Backstage Academy, who will be exhibiting for the first time at the show on stand number 27, will also be showcasing its backstage short courses and bespoke skills training to visitors, who tend to come from a wide variety of disciplines across professional theatre.

The new BA Visual Production course will launch at Backstage Academy's Wakefield facility in January 20

USA - Global Truss America has named Kenneth Kahn president of the company, which sells products in North America under the DuraTruss and Global Truss brands. Kahn has been with the company since its inception in 2000 and has played a key role in building it into a major supplier of trussing and accessories for the stage, concert, club, house of worship, exhibit and retail display markets.

"Ken has been involved in every aspect of this business, from sales and marketing to research and product development," said Global Truss America CEO Chuck Davies. "He's excelled at every position he's held here, so we're very confident that he'll be able to guide our company to even more outstanding success in the future."

Kahn was instrumental in creating Global Truss America's dual branding strategy in 2012. Under this plan, the company markets DJ truss in the US under

UK - For a fast-applied, comfortable and decorative vinyl flooring system for virtually every temporary and short life application - Harlequin Showfloor offers the lightweight, stable and reusable solution.

Harlequin Showfloor is a loose-lay floor designed for any temporary event - from trade stands at exhibitions to display areas in shops, fashion catwalks and many more. It can be laid on any hard and smooth surface including plywood, chipboard, hardboard, tiles or concrete, and comes in a black, grey, white or red finish.

Mineral fibre reinforced with a thin cellular backing, Showfloor is just 2.8mm thick and weighs only 1.5kg/m². It quickly lays flat, stays flat and has an embossed display surface that helps to prevent scuff marks, whilst its cellular foam backing not only provides comfort under foot but helps to reduce noise pollution.

(Jim Evans)

UK - SES/Tempower supplied all the main power distribution equipment , cable and cable protection at Twickenham Stadium, for Chime for Change on 1 June.

The featured acts included Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Lopez.

Tempower's client wasMike Ellen of MPE Power Solutions who installed all the production power and sub rented in the generator package which consisted of two 300 kva sets for broadcast power and six 500 kva sets for main stage power, all synchronised. These were supplied by Powerhire part of TGC International Ltd.

Tempower supplied the cabling and distribution for all the production and broadcast power including nine 400 amp 5-wire sets of power locks feeds for the main stage alone, one of these supplies splits out to the follow spot towers either side of stage with two 250 amp power locks supplies.

The equipme

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