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ETC is supplying the desks and then sending in their expert Florian Baeumier to train the technical staff in both venues. The Universal Arts technical team then puts their training into practice, helping designers and technicians from the visiting international companies to plot and operate the lighting for their shows for the duration of the Festival. The Universal Arts technical team is always on hand to help and answer any questions the visiting companies may have. This year, 22 companies from across the world will benefit from the reliability and ease of use of Congo systems, including music acts from Mexico, the USA and South Korea and theatre companies from Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Taiwan, Spain and the UK.

ETC's Jeremy Roberts said: "The Congo control system is suitable for both small and large-scale productions; we provided full size Congos for the Universal Arts Theatre and the smaller Congo jr for the Theatre and the Studio at Hill Street. This deal provides us with an opportunity to showcase our lighting control systems to leading theatre companies and musicians. Universal Arts have been bringing award-winning international performing arts to the Festival for almost 20 years; we are delighted to be part of their continued success and excited to demonstrate our products to lighting designers from across the world."

Anthony Newton at Universal Arts added: "I first toured with the Congo desk to Venezuela with Universal Arts in 2006 and it's been our desk of choice ever since. We have used Congo for all our work in Edinburgh, the USA, Germany and the Netherlands. The relationship with ETC has been mutually beneficial and has been developed with the full support of Stage Electrics, our supplier of other stage equipment. As we continue to build the international programme in Edinburgh and to tour more productions internationally, we hope to continue to work in partnership with ETC."