'The Rig' is a charitable organisation currently managed by Jason Robbins. It was originally set up in 2000 by parents of a local scout involved in the lighting and sound industry to help his group weather financial difficulties, and started off running local discos with some scouts on the crew.
Since then things have grown considerably. A team of 10 regular volunteers and others enable The Rig Scout Active Support Unit to provide a full range of technical production services for stage shows and events, in the process helping to support all scouting activities in the Huddersfield North District.
Robbins approached 5 Star's Keith Sykes - initially at the PLASA 2011 exhibition - asking about the possibility of some flightcases, and Sykes responded with the offer of two of 5 Star's latest Arena 600 cases, complete with removable trays, to add to The Rig's inventory.
He explains that they have been extremely fortunate with support from several major industry players over the years, and so it was brilliant to get another premium brand like 5 Star involved who are "Known for producing some of the best built cases in the industry".
Keith Sykes comments, "I was very happy to support The Rig. Scouting is a greatly inspirational organisation for young people nationwide, and The Rig is doing some excellent work including offering a potential future generation hands-on experience and a glimpse into the possibilities of a career in entertainment technology, theatre production and event staging."
The 5 Star cases are currently being used to help with storage and transport of The Rig's ever-increasing cable stock.
Additionally, the Rig provides schools and community groups with technology and expertise that they might not normally be able to afford, allowing their aspiring young performers and stars to get a "Real sense of the magic of theatre".
The first show on which the new 5 Star cases were used was the West Yorkshire County Scouts Gang Show, staged over three days at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax, with sold out performances attracting audiences of up to 1000 a night.
(Jim Evans)
