UK - In 2013 Le Maitre invested in increasing productivity at its pyrotechnics factory in Peterborough UK, in order to cope with demand. The pyrotechnic manufacturing process is a very labour intensive process and Le Maitre had reached almost full production capacity the year before.

The company therefore researched alternative methods, exploring different industries before subsequently identifying a completely new production process which can output a phenomenal 24,000 to 26,000 units per hour, regardless of diameter, and is now resulting in a terrific increase in capacity.

Moving from the previous moulded stars method to the new format has been far from straightforward. The production process greatly affects how the pyro behaves and the Peterborough team have had to spend a huge amount of time and resource in the careful adjustment of product composition.

Le Maitre confirm

UK - There has been a theatre on the site of Sadler's Wells since 1683. Christian Wallace is the technical manager for this, the sixth incarnation to bear the name of the original proprietor along with a nod to the health giving spring that still lie beneath the theatre. He explains the theatre's current remit: "Sadler's Wells presents all sorts of dance from Britain and from international companies, including tango, hip hop, ballet, flamenco, and contemporary dance. We present high profile and internationally recognised works so we need to provide the best possible equipment, which of course includes our lighting stock."

The current building was opened in 1998 and the majority of the lighting stock is now 16 years old. Wallace freely admits that, despite sustaining a rigorous maintenance programme, it was time to explore the newer, more advanced fixtures now on the ma

South Africa - As the worldwide launch of Robe's new long-throw 1700W BMFL Spot luminaire continues apace across all continents, two South Africa launch events staged in Cape Town and Johannesburg attracted nearly 200 people from multiple industry sectors, including all the major industry players in SA.

The two SA events were organised by Robe's SA distributor DWR, whose team of MD Duncan Riley and director Nic Britz was joined by Robe's sales director Harry von den Stemmen and technical sales manager Ond?ej Hegar. For the first launch event in Cape Town, Robe's CEO Josef Valchar also jetted in.

The Cape Town event took place at the Grandwest Arena, a venue chosen as it was important to demonstrate in a large space so guests could appreciate the power - a staggering 250,000 lux at 5m - and throw capabilities of the BMFL Spot.

A constant stream of visitors all day heard a bri

South Africa - LEDVision (Pty) Ltd, a full-service LED screen supplier, and part of the Gearhouse Group of Companies, has expanded its rental stockholding once again to offer more innovative options to the local live event market.

The company's latest investment in over 100sq.m of Radiant 7mm indoor/outdoor panels gives LEDVision the capacity to build two HD resolution screens of the new product.

This is the first acquisition of this particular LED product for use in the South Africa market and offers not only the most sophisticated lightweight touring frame of any mesh panel to date, but also the option to stack, fly or curve screens, depending on the requirements of the event. These extremely versatile panels can be configured in any format and have the capability to curve at a +/-10% horizontal degree.

The M7 is a black diode 3in1 SMD screen with the highest contrast rati

UK - Next month, Philips Entertainment is set to have one of the biggest and most successful PLASA London shows to date, with the launch of brand new luminaires, exciting demos of the latest additions to its three premier brands, Selecon, Strand Lighting, and Vari-Lite along with its product range Showline, exclusive afternoon-tea-with-a-twist press event, party in a super special venue and celebrations for Strand Lighting's 100th anniversary.

Philips Entertainment will be found on stand L80 at the ExCeL exhibition centre, where members of the Philips team will be chatting to visitors and demo-ing the new products through interactive daily light shows.

The Philips Vari-Lite VL4000 Spot luminaire will be making its first major UK trade show debut. PLASA visitors will be able to get to grips with all its exciting features, including its high-resolution optics, entirely new colou

UK - Le Maitre will be exhibiting at this year's Plasa London show at ExCel.

The HazeMaster, the highest output haze machine on the market along with the G300 smoke machine, MVS hazer and a range of pyro and pyro controllers will be featured on the A.C. Entertainment Technologies stand and the Le Maitre team will be on hand to greet you.

The HazeMaster will be in action on the A.C. Entertainment Technologies lighting stand P41 along with a truss mounted G300 operated by DMX.

The MVS with its unique sweeping projected haze will be located on A.C. Entertainment Technologies partner stand Q46 - Jack Goff.

(Jim Evans)

Denmark - Martin Professional has introduced the JEM Hazer Pro for advanced atmospheric haze effects.

With the introduction of the JEM Hazer Pro, Martin now offers "the most complete range of efficient, reliable and compact professional hazers in the industry". The JEM Hazer Pro includes advanced pump technology, 2.5 L of fluid capacity that provides 10 hours of operation on full output, a user-friendly on-board control panel with preset functionality, and a host of additional new features.

As the newest member of Martin's professional hazer family, the JEM Hazer Pro is built with a lightweight and compact design suitable for theatres, cruise ships, bars, clubs, theme parks and medium to large shows. An innovative high-quality air pump system ensures the small-particle haze disperses evenly and continuously with superior optical clarity and reflectivity, perfect for

USA - The Sayers Club in Las Vegas features a captivating blend of edgy and opulent touches running through its intimate space, from the long golden-lit bar and over-stuffed couches to the strategically hung gothic-inspired drapes. Then there's the distinctive designer cocktails, small plate specialties, and of course the music. Where else can you see name artists like Macy Gray and Florence and the Machine perform in a room that holds only 250 people? Or be treated to a surprise 3 am appearance by Prince?

As exceptional and rare as the original Sayers Club is, however, its owners Micah Otano and Jason Scoppa have been able to recreate their Hollywood magic in Las Vegas with the opening of a new location at the SLS Casino (the former Sahara at the north end of The Strip). The pair even managed to add a dash of extra Vegas visual sizzle to the new Sayers Club with the help of som

Belgium - Belgian commercial TV channel VTM (Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij) celebrated 25 years of success in a son et lumière spectacular staged on the beach at Nieuwpoort, which was attended by 17,000 people who were dazzled by the visual impact and audacity of the production.

Lighting was designed by Painting With Light's Luc Peumans, who has worked on many music based projects for VTM, and was commissioned to add his own elements of eye-catching magic to the mix.

The 25 minute Great Big Musical Thank You show was directed by Dirk Decloedt and set to a specially composed soundtrack. It featured 250 dancers, a troupe of huge Dundu puppets, a 75m wide by 12m high waterscreen projection surface, dancing fountains and over 2000 pyro cues, all linked together by the vision of scenographer / art director Marcos Viñals Bassols and Peumans' dynamic lighting.

The 'stage'

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced the appointment of well-known industry figure, Mats Karlsson, in a new international business development role.

Mats has more than 30 years of experience in various roles spanning rental and production, lighting design, sales and product development - and joins the company after some 10 years in LED display development at Barco, Martin Professional, and most recently, VER.

He will be responsible for increasing the market share of AC-ET's exclusive and key brands internationally, including the supply of Chroma-Q, Jands, Prolights and many more marques - from a portfolio of over 200 - to selected territories.

Commenting on his appointment, Mats says, "My association with A.C. goes back almost 30 years, and so to be asked by co-founder David Leggett to come on-board to grow their international business is a real ho

USA - Elation Professional's new high-energy Sniper multi-effect light and laser simulator, which launched recently at the PRO trade show in the UK, is enjoying its touring debut on American rock band A Day to Remember's (ADTR) Parks & Devastation US tour with lighting design by Steve 'Cowboy' Stemac.

ADTR is a passionate band with Steve running 10 of the powerful hybrid effect lights through their paces as specials on the hard-driving show. "We took the band and put them in a national park environment and then, as we do, make it jocular and surreal," Steve states of the show's tongue-in-cheek yet highly entertaining set theme that has each Sniper representing a band member's eye in the set's large Mt. Rushmore-inspired backdrop.

"It's more like a cosmic circus of sorts with lots of sounds and staccato noise. For the eyeballs in our set piece we needed so

Thailand - W-DMX by Wireless Solution Sweden AB is now a hot commodity in Bangkok, Thailand, as one of its premier rental houses, PM Center Co. Ltd. recently invested in 24 units of W-DMX BlackBox F-1, F-2 and R-512 for their rental division.

PM Center has a reputation for offering the most professional equipment in Bangkok and serving premium clients and projects around Thailand. The W-DMX equipment in their stock is used to light up the famous Pattaya sign on the hill overlooking the Pattaya Bay. Mr. Karin of PM Center said, "On the Pattaya sign, W-DMX works very well without any problem."

Wireless Solution delivered the equipment in late August and on Monday 1 September, Wireless Solution representative Ben Darrington was on site at the PM Center office in Bangkok and did in-depth training in using W-DMX technology for longer distances and in situations where the

USA - Lighting Designer Daniel K Boland specified 64 x Robe Robin Pointe moving lights for the much talked about Eminem X Rihanna Monster stadium tour which played six sold-out dates in three key cities across the U.S. - at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Comerica Park in Detroit.

Boland has worked with Eminem for almost 10 years, so when the show's set design by Bruce Rodgers was approved, he created a lighting plot that would "cover all bases" for both artists.

He already knew what Eminem would like in terms of look and feel, and when it came to lighting Rihanna, he considered many parameters including that she would be accompanied by dancers, all of which would need imaginative and appropriate lighting. Once completed, the lighting design was submitted to management and also approved.

The dramatic set comprised two large angled 50 mm

UK - CLD Distribution, the specialist commercial and architectural LED lamps and lighting distributor, has taken a substantial shareholding in Iberian Lighting.

Iberian Lighting, celebrating its 50th anniversary, designs some of the world's largest lampshades and stylish bespoke feature lighting in the contract sector. They have established an excellent reputation for their creative solutions in large scale bespoke lighting projects with interior designers, specifiers, blue-chip corporates, retailers, hotels, restaurants and also high end residential.

The merger of the two companies whose main commercial premises adjoin each other in Hastings, East Sussex, establishes a significant lighting presence within the larger engineering design and manufacturing group - Penn-Elcom.

"We are really pleased to welcome Iberian Lighting into the family. CLD Distribution's and Iberian

UK - Realtime Environment Systems Ltd - to be known as 'RES' - is a new technical solutions company offering services to help designers, creative agencies and artists "achieve their wildest visual dreams". Mark Calvert and Dave Green have formed RES to provide "technical consultation and project-wide integration of all things visual in stage shows, corporate campaigns and permanent installations". The company will utilise the Ai Media Server - one the world's most powerful media server platforms, manufactured and developed in the UK by Avolites Media Ltd. RES Ltd is a global reseller of the Ai product, and has also been named as the first 'Ai Centre of Excellence'. RES continues to work very closely with the Avolites family, Calvert says.

Together over the past 10 years, Calvert and Green have worked closely with designers, artists and corporate bodies on a b

South Africa - The Playhouse Company in Durban has taken delivery of new lighting equipment, which will be used in the Opera and Drama Theatres within the venue.

The order, supplied by DWR Distribution, included 40 x Robert Juliat 329 H 2KW/2.5Kw Fresnel Spotlights with Barndoors , 60 x Philips Selecon Rama 1kw / 1.2Kw Fresnels complete with Barndoors , 24 x Philips Strand PL1 LED Fresnels complete with Barndoors , one Robert Juliat 2.5k HMI Aramis Followspot and two Robert Juliat MSD 1200W Topaze Followspots complete with GT Stands.

"The fixtures were chosen for the superior lighting output, providing great optics with ease of operation," said Dave Whitehouse of DWR.

The Philips Strand PL1 is ideal for smaller venues and will be used in the Loft, an intimate theatre at The Playhouse, equipped for works of an experimental nature.

Denis Hutchinson, the external co

UK - Robert Juliat will exhibit at PLASA 2014 with its exclusive UK distributor, Ambersphere Solutions, where a new Robert Juliat followspot will be unveiled.

Rumours of a new product from these masters of followspot design have been permeating the industry over the last few months. PLASA 2014 will give visitors the first opportunity to see the new model which has been created to reflect the specific requirements of those working in the touring, live music and large event market - indoors and out.

Designed to complement to Robert Juliat's Grand, Compact & Ultra-Compact ranges, the new followspot is the result of in depth consultation with rental companies and professional followspot operators. Easy to transport, install and maintain, the new model incorporates Robert Juliat's superlative optical and ergonomic qualities into a robust package that beats the rigours of touring. T

UK - The market's newest light sensation - the Elation Sniper - created a buzz when released at the PRO show in mid-September and is now heading to the PLASA show in London (Stand K70) for an encore. Elation Professional will be showing the newly released multi-effect and laser simulator along with a host of other lighting innovations that includes the hybrid Platinum SBX, a 3-in-1 beam, spot, and wash fixture with an innovative, new optical system.

"We are very excited to be returning to London this year, showing exciting new and innovative products. Last year's PLASA show was surprisingly good and we are optimistic that with all the fresh new products we and other manufacturers have come out with recently, customers will make the time to come out to ExCel in East London and see them all in action first hand," says Eric Loader, director of sales, Elation Professional.

UK - Ayrton will be exhibiting at PLASA, London (5-8 October, Stand R70) with an array of new products, all of which have been introduced to the market in the last few months. The new Radical Series and the full NandoBeam Range will both receive their UK premieres, with a world premiere reserved for the launch of the new NandoBeamS9.

The latest in the NandoBeam family, NandoBeam S9 is the big brother of the NandoBeamS3 and NandoBeamS6 LED moving head fixtures. Aimed at large musical, television and spectacular productions, NandoBeam S9 offers 55 x 15W RGBW LED and the same massive 8° to 40° zoom range in a highly controllable, rock-solid package. NandoBeam's independently controllable centre LED and ring configuration ensures the creation of a multitude of graphic effects.

A new-generation power supply offers over 95% total output efficiency and enables continuous use

UK - GoboPlus.com (Stand R01) is a one-stop online shop, dedicated purely to the supply of all things projection, including custom and stock metal, glass and digital gobos and images.

Proffering expert knowledge and exceptional service from Paul de Ville and Vicky Fairall, GoboPlus.com offers a comprehensive custom gobo service and stocks all Rosco, DHA and GAM ranges, in addition to its own unique GoboPlus.com designs.

The shop is open 24 hours a day via GoboPlus.com's user-friendly, intuitive website, which offers secure payment methods and a fast turnaround.

GoboPlus.com will exhibit alongside its sister company, CutColourPlus, a specialist filter company which services the needs of the entertainment, education and architectural market with the supply of lighting filters. CutColourPlus provides bespoke cutting and comprehensive scroll-making services, and supplies lightin

John Peel Lecture - Iggy Pop is to deliver this year's John Peel Lecture. The singer, regarded by many as the godfather of punk, will talk about the subject of free music in a capitalist society on 13 October. The lecture will be aired live on BBC 6 Music, the digital radio station on which Pop hosts a weekly show, and later on BBC Four. The lecture is named in honour of late BBC Radio 1 broadcaster John Peel, who died in 2004. An annual event since 2011, the lecture allows prominent musicians to discuss the state of music and the music industry. It has previously been delivered by Charlotte Church, Billy Bragg and Pete Townshend.

Eurovision - Ukraine has announced it will not be taking part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest due to limited finances. "We don't want to do something badly, and we don't have the money to do something well," said Zurab Alasania,

Russia - PR Lighting recently returned from a highly successful product showcase in Moscow at Prolight+Sound NAMM Russia, where the company partnered with territorial distributor Asia Music.

PR Lighting sales manager for the region, Bruce Tian, reports that as this is the critical show for the local market he was delighted that the booth was positioned close to the main entrance and in the same hall as all the major lighting companies.

Asia Music showcased all the heavyweights from its new and expanding LED range, including XRLED 300 Spot, XRLED 500 Spot, XR 330 Spot, XLED 1037 and XLED 1061 - which were mounted on plinths, and displayed for the first time in Russia. This enabled visitors to get 'hands on' and try them out at first hand.

A quantity of XR 200 Beams were also installed overhead to illuminate the booth.

As the only brand that Asia Music was representing the c

UK - A tip top team of Avolites Tiger Touch II consoles were specified by lighting designer Matt Mawdsley for the inaugural Invictus Games held mainly at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London this month.

The Invictus Games is the brainchild of Prince Harry, and took place from 10-14 September. More than 400 competitors from 13 countries participated in the multi-sport event. All of those taking part had fought alongside the UK in recent military campaigns, and had been wounded.

Two Tiger Touch II desks - known for combining maximum power with compact size - were supplied to the Games by Stage Electrics in Bristol. One was stationed in the Copper Box Arena (wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball) and the other in a large temporary multi sport venue within the Here East building (archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting). All venues were covered and broadca

Germany - The M'era Luna Festival takes place annually in Hildesheim, Germany at Flugplatz Hildesheim-Drispenstedt - a former British Army airbase. Featuring two stages, and historically specialising in goth, metal and industrial music, it also presents DJ sets on Friday and Saturday evening.

Lighting designer, Stephan Aue, and operator, Rico Münzer, were working with Swedish electronic dance band, Covenant - and making heavy use of SGM's new LED catalogue.

"The great thing about Covenant is that they are always looking for something extreme - and that provides a very good opportunity to try something new out," said Stephan. "During their very drum and bass oriented shows, the use of front light is almost not permitted and the stage is dominated by fog. I have been doing shows with them for almost 15 years and admire their courage and willingness to try out new

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