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The march of constant change in employment law and regulations carries on unabated! Key issues affecting all employers seem to arise almost every day. There have been a number of key changes in recent months which members should be aware of.

8 From 1st February 2002, the new maximum award for unfair dismissal increased to £60,100 made up of a maximum compensatory award of £52,600 and £7,500 basic award. Compensation for unlawful sex, race and disability discrimination remains unlimited.

8 In October 2001 the requirement in the Working Time Regulations that a worker must be employed for 13 weeks before becoming entitled to the statutory four weeks paid annual leave became illegal. Workers are now entitled to paid leave from day one of their employment, although in the first year it can be taken by accruing it at the rate of one twelfth of their full entitlement every month.

The M

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The Association’s annual 2002 AGM and Industry Dinner will take place on Friday 14 June at Down Hall Country House Hotel, situated in Hatfield Heath, Hertfordshire. As in previous years, the AGM will provide members with an opportunity to learn more about the work of the Association and give them time to network with other members.

Information about the event and booking details will be sent to the membership shortly, but if you have any queries in the meantime, feel free to contact Helen Willis on.

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Stars from the British and American film industries braved the atrocious London weather, crossing the rain-soaked red carpet into the Odeon, Leicester Square for this year’s Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).

With the event now acting as a curtain raiser for the Oscars, and transferring to BBC television for the first time, the event’s profile was higher than ever this year. Helping to keep it sky high were Creative Technology, who flew 84 modules of the new Barco i10 high brightness LED display - its most prestigious outing to date. The screen was configured as a 12 x 7 display (in 16:9 aspect ratio), and attached to four CM Lodestar motors. "Having done the Orange British Academy Film Awards for the last two years we were again asked to provide image magnification based on our successful track record," said CT’s director of sales, Guy Mapley. &

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The new Artistic Licence discussion forum is now up and running. In addition to offering technical support for the company’s product range, the company is actively promoting an open discussion of the technical standards issues facing the industry. So if you have a view or need more information on ACN, DMX512-A, RDM or Art-Net, the Artistic Licence Forum is the place to visit.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Following increased demand for its rental products in and around the capital, trussing and staging specialist Litestructures has opened a new hire operation based in Wanstead, East London. Strategically positioned close to the City and the newer docklands venues of Excel and the Arena, the location also allows easy access to the north circular and M25, offering excellent links to the wider region.

The operation is being fronted by Emma Church, who re-joins the company after a two year break, and who has a wealth of product knowledge gained from the three years she spent working at Litestructures’ head office in Wakefield.

The key products available for hire include the Astralite Original 3 truss range, the Litedeck stage units/system and the Litedeck rolling risers, which are proving increasingly popular thanks to the fact that they greatly reduce set-up times at gigs where se

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The first Showman’s Show North was declared a success by visitors and exhibitors, as event professionals from the North of Britain gathered at the exhibition on the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate this March.

Over 100 exhibitors and 656 visitors engaged in business in the relaxed atmosphere created at Showman’s North. Whilst not vast in size, the show drew event professionals from all sectors of the events’ industry with visitors ranging across representatives from Council events departments, the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, agricultural shows, corporate and exhibition organizers and event management companies.

Whilst many of the visitors were looking at events for the coming 2002 season, exhibitors also reported taking enquiries for the 2003 season. The exhibitors at the show certainly represented a good cross section of event suppliers. On the avenue

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The charity event ‘Reaching out for Africa’, a gospel spectacular which took place at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday March 10, was literally ‘A day in the life of ‘ for the production and rental companies involved. Organized by Patti Boulaye to raise money for Support for Africa, a charity she founded to inform people of the terrible effect that AIDS and malaria are having in Sub-Saharan Africa, this one-off event had just a 24 hour schedule, from load-in to get-out.

Produced by Sir Michael Parker, the event was almost a rehearsal for The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, with which he will also be involved. The 3,000 strong choir, drawn from schools, churches and choirs across the UK, Europe and Africa, will go on to form part of the 5,000-strong Golden Jubilee Gospel Choir which will sing at Buckingham Palace in June.

Lighting the show on behalf of

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Following a vote earlier in March in favour of strike action, members of BECTU (which represents backstage, ticketing and box office staff) are now back round the table with the Society of London Theatres (SOLT) to discuss an improved pay offer for members.

In an industrial action ballot which closed on March 19, more than 96% of BECTU members working at London's West End theatres voted to strike in support of the union's campaign to banish low pay. BECTU delayed publishing the ballot result while SOLT made last-minute efforts to improve the pay offer that members had rejected. After more than two days of closed-door negotiations, the employers tabled a new package, backdated to February 11. At a mass meeting on March 22, members voted to run a secret ballot on the new proposals, without any recommendation to accept or reject.

The two-stage pay offer includes an average 6% increase

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PLASA has negotiated significant discounts on the cost of exhibiting at PALA (Pro Audio & Light Asia). The Association has also obtained UK government funding for this event and eligible UK companies can make further savings on costs.

The PALA show features exhibitors covering pro audio, lighting, club, broadcast and music. Exhibitors can expect to meet potential buyers including agents, dealers, distributors and end-users from across Asia. Hong Kong is considered to be the gateway for trade to China, and with PALA being held here for the first time, more visitors are expected to attend from Taiwan, Korea, China and Japan, in addition to regular visitors from India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The DTI’s SESA (Support for Exhibitions & Seminars Abroad) funding will re-imburse eligible UK companies 60% of stand, construction and freight costs, u

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PLASA’s Industry Day will take place on Friday 14th June at Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hertfordshire.

The day, which will be built around the Association’s AGM, will offer plenty of opportunity for members to network with others in the industry, as well as giving them a chance to discuss key issues in the Break-out Sessions which follow the AGM.

The day starts with a buffet lunch, with the formal business of the AGM beginning between 2 and 3pm. This will give members a chance to hear about the Association’s year and learn about future objectives.

Building on the success of last year, the Break-out Sessions will focus on issues such as Standards, Health & Safety, Human Resources, Employment Law, Training and Membership Services.

The Industry Dinner will complete the day’s activities, beginning with pre-dinner drinks. As in previous years, two after

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West End theatre members of BECTU have voted to accept a pay rise worth 11.3% on average.

In a ballot of BECTU members throughout London’s commercial theatreland, 71% voted in favour of the offer. Members are now set for a further pay rise in October 2002, worth 4%, or inflation plus 1%, whichever is greater. The two-stage offer put to members was tabled by employers, the Society of West End Theatres, in response to an earlier ballot in which 96% of union members in the sector had voted in favour of industrial action. "This is a significant first step in the union’s campaign to end low pay among theatre workers," BECTU organizer Mark David-Gray told us. Originally, the employers had tabled a pay rise of only 1.6%, prompting a determined campaign by BECTU to fight low pay in the West End. Since then its membership in theatreland has increased by more than 30%.

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Over recent years, we’ve drawn readers’ attention to the worrying number of letters emanating from African countries, principally Nigeria, which are blatant attempts to rip companies off.

Previously the scam has involved close relatives meeting untimely deaths, but not before they’ve managed to siphon off large amounts of government money. However, useful as this formula has been in the past, it seems the tactics have now changed. In a recent letter to a PLASA member from Abba & Abba Trade Distribution Industry, the company’s Frederick Moore has asked to see price lists on the basis that he is looking to place an order for nine 40’ container loads of product. The financing, he claims, will come from money diverted from under the noses of the Nigerian government.

As so often in the past, PLASA members are being targeted heavily and we have taken numerous

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That is the upbeat message from PLASA’s new Show Director, Sue Saint. Celebrating its 25th year, the PLASA Show is the world’s pre-eminent light, sound and audio-visual event, attracting major brands every year, and this year is no exception.

Stand bookings are currently at 82%, with top names such as Vari-Lite, Sennheiser, Martin Professional, Denon, BSS Audio and Total Fabrication already booked. The show pulls in over 13,000 visitors from the UK and abroad each year, having become the main marketplace for the £11billion entertainment technology industry.

"The show is evolving continually," commented Saint, "and one of the key trends emerging is the growing number of manufacturers choosing to exhibit in their own right, rather than rely solely on representation through distributors. In addition, many long-standing exhibitors, including Numark, Peavey, S

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An exciting opportunity to work with two of the world's most successful playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn and John Godber, is being offered in Scarborough this summer from 21-25 July. The Stephen Joseph Theatre School 2002 is a four-day course giving participants the chance to see Alan Ayckbourn at work in his home theatre with his acting company.

Alan Ayckbourn will be leading two full days of rehearsal, technical and playwriting workshops, giving a unique opportunity to work with the acclaimed playwright and director. John Godber, artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre, will be joining the school (subject to availability) to offer his own perspective on writing, directing and running a theatre company.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre School features a busy programme of workshops, discussions and lectures concentrated on Alan Ayckbourn and his work in the round. It is hoped that Gwenda Hughes

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Never ones to take it easy, the busy truckers at EST are currently rushing about supporting a wide variety of artists and events. Five tucks are accompanying French-Canadian singer Garou, still touring French-speaking Europe and performing to packed houses wherever he goes. Still jigging away with some gusto, the cast of Riverdance has now moved on to Cardiff for a week before leaping off to Birmingham with up to 10 EST trucks dancing attendance on them.

Back on this side of the pond for the first time in five years, US Soul and R&B singer, Mary J Blige has commandeered four EST trucks as she embarks on a grand tour of Europe, starting in Hamburg on 5 April and finishing in Dublin on the 25 April, taking in most of the major European cities on the way, including shows in Birmingham, Manchester and London. The show is produced by Patricia Chaveria whose husband Paul is well known

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After a great deal of speculation and industry rumours, Eat to the Beat UK is spreading its wings to America. As of June 1st 2002 'Eat to the Beat Inc’ will be in full operation, taking up residency in New York. After the success of recent US tours and at the request of many of their existing clients, Eat to the Beat have decided that the time is right to set up an operation in the States. Managing director Tony Laurenson said: "In the past we have come close to setting up a division in the States, first in Atlanta nearly 14 years ago, then Los Angeles eight years ago. Our feelings are that, whilst we have successfully worked on tours in America without a proper presence, now the time is right to consolidate and build on our successes in the USA.

"We are now finding that venues are more willing to allow us in and we know that our style of catering is both popular and ec

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Tony Swayne, a new face in the industry, a qualified electrical engineer and an experienced businessman is the new owner of Andolite Limited, the manufacturer of internally wired lighting bars, standard and custom panels and power distribution.

Swayne is taking over from Alex Collister who, following a handover period, is retiring. Both will be attending this summer’s ABTT (London and Leeds) and PLASA shows and look forward to meeting old and new customers there. Swayne will continue to develop the company as a manufacturer of products tailored to the needs of the expanding industry.

(Ruth Rossington)

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The Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) recently officially welcomed its new joint Presidents, Richard Pilbrow and Robert Ornbo, at a dinner held in their honour at Kettners, in the heart of London’s theatre district. The dinner, which was made possible by a bequest from Michael Northen MBE, the previous president who passed away last year, was attended by some 25 members and guests of the ALD. Richard and Robert, together with Chairman Rick Fisher, have an enormous amount of combined experience and the ALD will benefit greatly from their knowledge, not just of the theatre but of all the other various sectors in which lighting designers work today.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Michael Dodsley has been appointed as the new Theatre Division Manager of Custom Group Ltd, based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Dodsley, formerly project manager at CCT Lighting, has 20 years experience within the stage drapery, engineering, sound and lighting industry, commencing from humble beginnings as a trainee engineer for Furse Theatre Products. Managing director Richard Rybij commented:"Mike joining our Theatre Division team further strengthens our expertise within a very technical market, where the customer often requires detailed advice planning their theatre or drama venue"

Custom Group Ltd commenced trading 28 years ago as a curtain and blind company, evolving into a supplier of all aspects of theatre equipment, which now also includes seating, lighting and sound, stage engineering and control equipment. Dodsley joins an established team which includes sales manager Ga

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Technical Marketing Ltd - the outsource marketing specialist company - has announced that David Brooks has recently taken on a wider role within the company, making a full-time commitment to the growing business. Previously involved only on a part-time basis, David now joins Andy Collier to play a key role in managing the company’s growth.

He joins Technical Marketing Ltd from a specialist business-to-business advertising agency where he held the position of research director. In this role he was also responsible for managing a number client portfolios, including many well known global brands. Previously David spent ten years as marketing director of Strand Lighting Ltd where his partnership with Andy Collier and Steve Norman (now representing Technical Marketing in New York) was forged. Prior experience as marketing manager and product manager for Thorn Lighting and in a researc

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Nautilus Entertainment Design (NED) is expanding into new larger offices on both the east and west coasts of the US during the month of May. The main office in southern California moves to 1010 Pearl Street, La Jolla, California 92037-5164. The phone number remains the same, at +1 858 456 6396. The east coast office meanwhile moves from the Bronx into Manhattan at 599 11th Avenue, 6th Floor, New York City, N.Y. 10036 and has a new phone number of +1 212 977 5988.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK-based company DiGiCo (UK) Ltd has acquired the assets, core business and intellectual property rights of Soundtracs Plc of Epsom Surrey. DiGiCo co-founder, Eric Wade of Atlanta, Georgia, USA told us: "We are pleased to announce this acquisition and look forward to taking the excellent digital console platform and products, distributed globally by Soundtracs, to the next level in the pro audio Industry. The Soundtracs digital platform is conceptually and intuitively, one of the most robust products available on the market today and our goal is to enhance current distribution and market share in order to establish it more broadly in the Industry." Both Bob Doyle and Dave Webster, formerly with the Klark Teknik Gourp, have joined DiGiCo (UK) as managing and marketing directors respectively.

Both Todd Wells, managing director and chairman of Soundtracs Plc and Liam Tebbs, Soun

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As part of its long-term strategy to address the industry’s concerns over training, PLASA has appointed a full-time training and development manager. Nicky Greet, who joined the PLASA Head Office staff at the start of May, will be tasked with collating current training information, identifying and addressing areas in which specifically-tailored training schemes are required and helping to implement them in conjunction with relevant bodies.

PLASA’s managing director Matthew Griffiths commented: "Concerns about the lack of suitable and relevant training in the entertainment technology industry have been voiced for some time, and PLASA originally scheduled this appointment into its long-term strategy as part of its first five-year plan in 2000. During 2001, we conducted an extensive programme of research into the issue with the aid of our members, which enabled us to move

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David Mitchell, the founder and former owner of SIS in Northampton, died recently from cancer of the liver. He was in his mid-fifties and had been out of our industry since the early 90s.

Mitchell started SIS in the 70s as a manufacturer of NAB ‘jingle’ machines, but moved into disco lighting manufacture in the early 1980s, as well as wholesaleing for other manufacturers. Ian Brown, now of Coe-tech, was SIS’s sales director in this period, but moved on when SIS’s success enabled it to move to larger freehold premises. Unfortunately, higher overheads and bad debts led to the failure of the company only a few years later. David was well-known and respected. He was likeable, with a mischievous sense of humour. Many of his friends in the industry will regret, as I do, that his relative obscurity in recent years meant that they could not easily keep in touch with hi

  1. RentalDesk assists management of demo stock
  2. Coup for Westminster Theatre campaign
  3. RMS Provides Software Solution for Stageco
  4. ABTT , 19-20 June 2002
  5. BFI Moving Pictures Exhibition
  6. Book Now for the 2002 Association Day
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