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Hall Stage and ASM Launch DGS Counterweight Solution
After extensive periods working on loading galleries and seeing many colleagues suffering with lumber and associated body injuries, the Hall Stage Design Team decided to bite the bullet and solve the problem. Highly experienced stage rigging and flying crew with years of backbreaking toil behind them have designed the DGS system, using the patented ASM steel band suspension, which fits directly to existing counterweight systems. The system will be working live on the Hall Stage stand at the ABTT Trade Show in London on the 16th and 17th June.
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 venues’ redundant counterweights for cash!
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with a counterweight system,” says Hall Stage director Phil Wells. “Apart, that is, 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 re-weighting. “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.”
“We have been leading up to this launch for the last three years,” 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.”
10th June 2004
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