latest news headlines
Hall Stage Installs DGS Hoists in Operational Counterweight System
Taking less than four hours per line to install, the DGS steelband counterweight drive system provides powered flying at highly affordable prices.
The first operational units – a DGS 250 and a DGS 500 – are working in the Milton Keynes Theatre and will be touring the UK and Europe over the next few months, supporting Hall Stage’s 2005 Exhibition schedule.
Once installed, a venue saves the time and effort involved in loading and unloading counterweight cradles. As much thought and effort has been put into the pricing and purchasing options available to potential users as to the design of the hardware itself. A full range of finance is on offer to support the purchase, with leasing, hire purchase - and even rental - provided directly by Hall Stage and the Bank of Scotland - from simple entry level local controlled units to full-blown group synchronised installations.
Hall Stage will even buy a venue’s redundant counterweights for cash! “There is absolutely nothing wrong with a counterweight system,” says Hall Stage director Phil Wells “apart from the danger, expense, cost of associated labour, inefficiency, back and muscular problems, dirt, blood blisters, sweat, crushed fingers and occasional tears.”
Despite the macho image associated with the work, it simply does not belong in this modern era and Hall Stage strongly believes that modern theatre technology and resources should be available to all. DGS installations are designed to massively reduce the time taken on fit-ups and show rigging. A bar is available immediately as required and can be loaded and flown in minutes, without the need for reweighting.
“Although not currently illegal as such, various aspects of the tasks involved are definitely inhumane and the practice has already been outlawed in Holland,” adds Simon Caldwell, Hall Stage’s senior project manager, “and surely the clock is ticking for us in the UK.”
“The last three years have been leading up to this launch,” says Charles Haines, Hall Stage MD. “We came up with the simple concept back in 2001 and spent a year just looking for the key components. We soon realized that only one material was suitable – the patented ASM steel band - then signed a deal with ASM Steuerungstechnik in Germany to develop the fantastic and practical solution we now have.”
12th April 2005
HEADLINES
news archive
search stories
FOOTNOTE: Select the news type you require in the red band above; this will enable you to see the current news stories from that section
© 1999 - 2012 Entertainment Technology Press Limited News Stories
