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South Africa - Lighting designer Declan Randall wove Robe moving lights into his intricate lighting design for the epic roller-skating Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Starlight Express staged in The Mandela venue at the Joburg Theatre complex in downtown Johannesburg.

Randall was part of a Johannesburg Theatre production team including director Janice Honeyman, producer Bernard Jay, designer James MacNamara, choreographer Karen Bruce and musical director Clinton Zerf, who were given creative licence to produce a new and exhilarating version of this classic hi-energy piece.

It was the first ever non-replica interpretation of Starlight Express ever licensed by Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company since the show's inception in 1984, which brought an additional edge and frission of excitement to the production.

In the overhead lighting rig were 18 x Robe Robin

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UK - PLASA London 2013, which takes place at ExCeL London from 6-9 October 2013, is proud to reveal the first audio sessions in its hotly anticipated Professional Development Programme. The packed programme offers four days of free sessions that give visitors a glimpse of the technology behind the world's most spectacular live shows and most talked about events and venues.

All sessions in the audio streams are presented by leading experts in audio technology, with separate programmes on Live Sound and Installed Sound in the new AudioLab Theatre, and a pro audio laboratory - AudioLab Interactive - that will push audio technology to its limits - and beyond. Visitors can register their interest in their preferred sessions at www.plasashow.com/education

The AudioLab Theatre features programmes on Live Sound, Installed Sound and The Sound Business. Highlights in this theatre includ

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South Africa - PR Lighting has changed its South African distribution arrangements, appointing Prosound, with immediate effect as sole reseller for its extensive range of LED and automated discharge solutions.

With price sensitivity an ever increasing issue in today's market, Prosound were seeking a quality product range that could also meet the demands of the House of Worship market.

Commenting on the decision, Prosound's GM, Ian Blair, said: "The PR brand has proven itself as one of the most respected Chinese manufacturers - the company has developed and maintained its reputation for quality over the years."

PR Lighting's SA sales manager, Lawrence Mao, replied, "The South African market is very competitive and we believe that Prosound has the experience and contacts to promote PR Lighting in this market extremely well."

The Johannesburg based lightin

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Belgium - Lighting and Visuals Designer Peter Vervloesem has just joined Bass Events, one of the most proactive organisers of EDM events in Belgium, as their 'house' production designer. Peter has previously worked in the same capacity on several Bass Events' projects as a freelancer.

Bass Events believes in offering their audiences the very highest production values, hence their desire to have a production designer on-board to oversee continuity and focus just on this element of their live events. Peter is also a keen Robe advocate. In June, he specified a selection of Robe moving lights for the massive Bass Events Outdoor Stage at Sunrise Festival, staged at the fabulous recreation area De Lilse Bergen, which kicked off their 2013 summer season.

With 3 days, 11 stages, more than 300 international artists and 24 different hosting partners, the Sunrise Festival experienced gre

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UK - Vaughan Sound has completed the installation of AV systems at Gocompare.com's new head offices in Newport.

The British financial services comparison specialists, founded in 2006 and based in the south east Wales city, required a number of new audio-visual products as well as the decommissioning of existing TVs and their relocation to their new premises within the adjacent Imperial House.

Vaughan Sound was invited by Paramount Interiors to specify, supply, install and commission audio-visual systems to 13 key areas at Gocompare.com's new location; including several offices, meeting rooms, the Boardroom and Reception.

Three 46" Smart LED TVs were specified and mounted to walls within the Reception area and two other spaces.

Various floor box connection plates with VGA, HDMI, USB and PC Audio capabilities were fitted throughout a number of the meeting rooms, whilst

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UK - More industry experts have been confirmed to speak at the 4th annual PLASA Rigging Conference which takes place on 7-8 October 2013 at its new home, ExCeL London. Topics include control system design, truss design criteria and discussing structural collapse. In addition, the popular Riggers' Forum held on 6 October is now open for registration, the annual opportunity promising to provide informal and lively debate.

Scott Nachemann of Thornton Tomasetti managed the investigations into the failures of the supporting structures at the Indiana State Fair in 2011 and in Toronto in 2012. In this session Scott leads a panel of engineers, users and manufacturers in an account of the examination of the Indiana State Fair incident and a discussion of the lessons learned from the tragedy. The session will also look at initiatives involving the development of standards, regulations and

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South Africa - About 18 months ago Gearhouse South Africa's Ofer Lapid and Tim Dunn accompanied Bruce Schwartz (Entertainment Lighting Manager, Electrosonic SA) on a trip to Aarhus, Denmark, home of Martin Professional. Their mission was to check out Martin's new range of automated fixtures: after eight years of faithful service, Gearhouse SA's Martin MAC 2000s were starting to take strain.

Peter Skytte and Peter Dahlin from Martin Professional treated Ofer, Tim and Bruce to a sneak preview of the Viper series. Back then there were only two early prototypes - and these units were still some way from completion; the two Peters had to be careful not to damage the fragile mock-up on the bench. The preview was a success, and Ofer and Tim were delighted that they'd found a worthy replacement for their treasured '2ks'.

The only problem for Ofer and Tim was that they would have to wa

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UK - LMC Audio is staging the Inspired Audio Listening Event, taking place at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Tuesday 24 September 2013. Attendees will be able to meet Chris Scott, design director at Inspired Audio, and the team from LMC Audio at the state-of-the-art Aylesbury Waterside facility, where you will be guided around the multi-purpose space and invited to listen to the Inspired Audio range in an assortment of must-hear configurations.

LMC says: "An interactive delivery will explain the design approach adopted by Inspired Audio and the value to the end user of this integrated package of system amplifier, enclosure and networked system control, that is central to the Inspired philosophy. We will aim to not only deliver clarity of sound, but also clarity of control options that enable connection via, USB, Ethernet, WIFI or via a Dante enabled network."

The eve

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UK - The 10th series of the X Factor has some noticeable changes. The biggest production surprise was that early auditions have moved away from theatre venues filled with thousands of fans and returned back to a hotel room setting - just how the early shows were originally set. Spectacular arena venues are still on the agenda this year, but further down the audition line and almost certainly at the 'boot camp' stage.

The return of Sharon Osbourne to the judging panel has been the big news in front of camera, but there have been some significant changes behind the scenes too, with a new lighting director (Tom Sutherland) and a new crew chief (Craig Broughton). "It's been fantastic to be asked by the producers to step up to the role of LD," admits Tom Sutherland. "I've been board operating on the X Factor auditions over the last four years and I progra

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Switzerland - An Allen & Heath iLive system with 18 ME-1 personal mixers were employed for a special 21st anniversary show of UK band, Tindersticks. Part of a European summer tour, the band performed a special set at the Blue Balls Festival in Lucern, Switzerland, where a 17-piece string section played alongside the regular six-piece band.

For the tour, monitor engineer and long term iLive user, Jamie Hickey, specified and hired in a compact iLive system from APR Audio, comprising an iLive-R72 Control Surface and iDR-64 MixRack with remote control via a PL-6 fader panel and iPad.

The anniversary show was held in the KKL Centre concert hall, where Hickey was tasked with meeting the audio needs of 23 musicians, supplementing the iLive system with 18 ME-1 mixers to provide in-ear monitoring for each of the players in the string section.

"The biggest problem string players

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UK - West London-based rental and technical solutions provider Entec is supplying the current Skunk Anansie festival tour with a control and monitor system, working with the band's long term engineers Paul Ramsay (FOH) and Simon Higgs on monitors.

The highly critically acclaimed Skunk Anansie has also been one of Entec Sound's most regular clients since 1998. Once again they came to Entec for the great service, excellent equipment and team of people, including Entec's head of sound Dick Hayes, who is also the account handler, and James Kerridge, who is out on the tour as systems tech.

Entec is supplying a Midas PRO9 console for FOH and some of Ramsay's selection of extra effects, which include a TC M6000 multi-FX unit as one of his regular toys, together with a classic Yamaha SPX990, a TC2290 delay, a pair of Avalon VT737SP pre-amps and a Tube-Tech LCA2B valve compressor - all

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UK - Audiences were wowed at The Transmissions Live From Jodrell Bank this weekend as the iconic Lovell Telescope was transformed into a spectacular backdrop in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Sir Bernard Lovell, founder and first director of the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Managed by production company Ear To The Ground, the event was the final weekend of The Transmissions series, taking place on the 30-31 August.

The 2013 Live From Jodrell Bank series featured a spectacular finale with performances from Sigur Ros on Friday and Manchester's internationally renowned symphony orchestra Hallé on Saturday. Conducted by Stephen Bell, Hallé's performance was inspired by the stars playing a selection of intergalactic film music including Star Wars, E.T and Doctor Who.

Bluman Associates managed the video content production and in

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South Africa - Forming part of the Samsung Galaxy S4 World Tour, the Galaxy S4 was launched to the South African market at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently and attended by some 2,000 guests.

The elaborate event, which Clay Paky Alpha Spots and Sharpys have helped to illuminate, consisted of two parts: a formal conference followed by a spectacular surprise party where the entertainment included everything from aerial acts to ballerinas in LED tutus and popular DJs. Lighting was breath-taking.

This was the largest event Victor Vermaak from AV Unlimited (AVU) had worked on as production manager. AVU were commissioned to supply the full technical.

The greatest challenge for Vermaak and Garrith Castelyn (AVU's in house creative and designer) was designing a concept that would fit into the budget without losing the essence of the concept pitched. Top prize wo

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UK - Bruno Mars' Moonshine Jungle tour required an adaptable performance environment that could convey a variety of visual undertones. Working under the direction of designers, Leroy Bennett and Corey Fitzgerald, and alongside production manager, Joel Forman, Tait was able to create just that.

The complete staging solution features an array of custom elements, including a flying video wall, scenic chevron wall, geometric ceiling panels and a one-of-a-kind mirror ball. Tait project manager, Brian Levine, said: "We were able to offer a fully-customized solution with optimized stock components; maximizing value for the client."

Tait's MagDeck mainstage was treated with a high-gloss finish and features band risers with gold-trim fascia and custom bumpers that house the Chromlech Elidy LED tiles.

A flying video wall, powered by Tait's Navigator Control System and

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UK - As one of the largest dance festivals in the world, the Global Gathering, in its 12th year, brought some of the world's most renowned DJs and live acts to numerous stages during one weekend of non-stop dance and electronic music in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.

Electric Fly Productions was contracted to design and supply the lighting for all seven arenas involved in the 2013 festival and deployed a Martin M6 lighting console on the main stage for full control of the intense lighting, in addition to deploying a vast amount of Martin lighting fixtures.

Martin EC-20 video screens were used to backlight the stages throughout the Gathering, controlled by P3 system controllers and a Maxedia PRO interface. Numerous Atomic strobes were strategically placed to light up all of the stages.

"I was able to demo the M6 during the Global Gathering and I loved it," said Nick Jevon

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USA - In January 2012 L-Acoustics sent out a notification that a trailer had been stolen on 8 December 2011, in Mexico City, following a Britney Spears concert. The missing trailer contained 24 L-Acoustics K1 and 18 V-DOSC line source elements, 12 K1-SB low-frequency extension enclosures and 48 SB-218 subwoofers, among other items.

Some of this equipment has started to surface on the American continent and has been offered anonymously to a third party.

Says L-Acoustics: "Please be vigilant in keeping a look out for this equipment. Any knowledge as to the existence and/or whereabouts of this equipment should be shared with L-Acoustics, Procolor or local law enforcement authorities. Product returns or submissions of information may be made anonymously. Serial numbers are available upon request."

For further details, contact Jochen Frohn at, jochen.frohn@l-acoustics.c

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UK - When Inception Group's Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling took over the former Bureau, an exclusive members club behind London's Carnaby Street, and set about creating a retro disco theme redolent of the early '80s, they brought in their long-term sound contractor, SSE Audio Group.

The company's installation division, led by Emma Bigg, ensured that the new venue - fittingly named 'Disco' - would achieve best value by repurposing (and augmenting) the existing JBL Contractor Control series loudspeakers that had also served the previous private members club so well.

Iconic brands of the past populate the club - such as the Pan Am-inspired lounge where air stewardesses greet visitors on arrival and issue boarding passes before checking personal items into the cloakroom via an automated conveyor belt, and allowing entry through an aeroplane door. The lighting too, is a faithfu

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Russia - While Dmitry Medvedev was still President of Russia he implemented the building of a new research and innovation hub Skolkovo. "The intention was to sow the seeds of a Silicon Valley right here in Moscow," explained Alexander Minkov of Armo-Group, the company charged with developing this project to resolution. "Part of that development is Hypercube, the first building of the 'Innograd'; that's Russian for 'city of innovations'."

Hypercube is an imposing concrete and glass edifice housing a main conference hall supported by several meeting rooms. "We were charged with implementing the most innovative state of the art technologies within the centre," continued Alexander Minkov, "and we spent considerable time researching a decision for the best quality and reliability in the aspects of modern conference audio systems."

The result

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India - From September 2013 Laserworld has become the exclusive distributor of Pangolin Systems products in India. The agreement was made "emphasises the excellent cooperation and business partnership between the two companies".

"Pangolin is a great control solution for professional show laser light systems and it complements our products perfectly. The Laserworld brand has a strong awareness in India and this exclusive agreement for the Indian market will help us to establish our high quality laser show products to the market even more," says Laserworld sales & marketing director Norbert Stangl.

"The strategic importance of the Indian economy to the world is growing and we are happy to have such a strong and established partner helping us providing complete, professional solutions to our customers there," comments Gerry Frost, responsible at Lase

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Australia - Over 300 Anolis ArcDot LED pixels have been installed to light the façade of the landmark waterslide at Noble Park Aquatic Centre (NPAC) in Melbourne.

The new lighting scheme designed by Electrolight for Suters Architects transforms the 19.5m structure into a gleaming beacon of contemporary elegance that is clearly visible from the town centre. Dave Anderson led the design for Electrolight.

Suters' waterslide design is inspired by images of waterfalls and evokes the NPAC tagline 'Water for all'. The requirement was for a fluid visual lighting effect that could be vibrant or subtle and that would explore the impressions of light, shadows and depth associated with cascading water.

Mr Anderson approached The ULA Group's Jason Saunders to find a lighting solution to meet the brief. He sought a high powered LED 'node' that could be pixel mapped and fed with video sou

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Belgium - ArKaos PRO has announced the expansion of its distribution network across a further t12 European countries as it develops its successful collaboration with the A.C. Group of entertainment technology resellers.

With immediate effect, ArKaos PRO will be working with A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd's regional sales representatives in Sweden, Lithuania and the UK, who will look after ArKaos customers in Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Hungary and Latvia.

AC-ET will be responsible for promoting, distributing and servicing ArKaos PRO's Stage and Stadium media servers as well as the ArKaos MediaMaster Pro software across these twelve countries. The new arrangement will ensure that Arkaos products will be directly accessible to lighting designers, rental companies and all ArKaos customers.

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UK - The organisers of PLASA London 2013, which takes place at ExCeL London from 6-9 October 2013, have revealed the first entertainment lighting and stage technology sessions in its hotly anticipated Professional Development Programme. The packed programme offers four days of free sessions that give visitors a glimpse of the technology behind the world's most spectacular live shows, and most talked about events and venues.

All sessions in these streams are presented by leading experts in entertainment technology, with two new theatres dealing exclusively in entertainment lighting and stage technologies, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre, and an inside look at the extravaganza that is Eurovision. Visitors can register their interest in their preferred sessions at www.plasashow.com/education/

In a tribute to the National Theatre, which celebra

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Malaysia - Orange Events, based in Malaysia, started to acquire L-Acoustics speakers from 2006, with a first purchase of 12 Kudo. They now offer more than 200 L-Acoustics speakers ranging from 5XT to K1 and are also a part of the K1 Rental Network.

Orange Events managing director Blurr Wong, said: "We are very humbled to be able to own a K1 system - the flagship product of L-Acoustics. It is the most rider friendly system and the first choice of every engineer. We are looking forward to many more opportunities in the future."

David Cooper, Asian sales manager for L-Acoustics, said: "With an increasing K1 rider demand in the region, expanding the K1 rental network in South East Asia was one of L-Acoustics' goals this year. Orange Events has been key for L-Acoustics in Malaysia over the last decade with their total focus on the brand, the technical expertise of th

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USA - With less than a week until the doors open at PLASA Focus: Austin, taking place at the Palmer Events Center, on 10-11 September, 2013, exhibitors have been busy releasing details about the products they will have on display at their booths.

Martin Professional will have two new products on their booth; the MAC Viper Quadray and the Jem Ready 365 Hazer. The MAC Viper Quadray, the latest addition to the award-winning MAC Viper family of moving heads, allows for the projection of one, two, three or four individually-controllable rays of light. The Jem Ready 365 Hazer uses advanced water-based fluid which produces a haze ideal for large venues.

Group One will host a trio of Avolites' top-end consoles: the Titan Touch, Titan Mobile and Sapphire Touch. ElektraLite fixtures, including the eyeBall family of products, Dazer, ML601, eyeKandy, and ElektraFog+, and DiGiCo's SD11 dig

  1. Colour Sound at Reading Festival 2013
  2. Audio-Technica is wireless supplier for IBC 2013
  3. Chauvet opens Mexico branch office
  4. Granite City Events invest in DMT Pixel Wall
  5. The Martin Audio Experience unveiled
  6. His Majesty's acquires two ETC consoles
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