Spring 2021Spring 2021SightlineSightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignJournal of Theatre Technology and DesignDavid Adams – a life in theatreDavid Adams – a life in theatreTen Top Tips for outdoor working from WildworksTen Top Tips for outdoor working from WildworksModern Theatres: An interview with David StaplesModern Theatres: An interview with David StaplesCreation Theatre – a digital transformationCreation Theatre – a digital transformationAll the virtual world’s a stageAll the virtual world’s a stageCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ GroupISG member 2020SILVERISG member 2020BRONZEISG member 2020GOLDISG member 2020PLATINUMNimax Theatres Ltd 020 7395 0780 | www.nimaxtheatres.com | general@nimaxtheatres.comSociety of London Theatre 020 7557 6700 | www.solt.co.uk | enquiries@soltukt.co.uk Souvenir Scenic Studios 020 7237 7557 | www.souvenir.co.uk | info@souvenir.co.uk Steeldeck Industries Ltd 020 8692 9721 | www.steeldeckUK.com | sales@steeldeck.co.ukTheatreplan 020 7841 0440 | www.theatreplan.com | info@theatreplan.comTheatre Projects Consultants Ltd 020 7482 4224 | www.theatreprojects.com| uk@theatreprojects.comTheatres Trust 020 7836 8591 | www.theatrestrust.org.uk | info@theatrestrust.org.uk Torpedo Factory Group 01706 849 469 | www.tfg.com | sales@tfg.comTrail Systems +358 (0) 40 517 43 74 | www.trail.fi| contact@trail.fiTysers Entertainment & Sport (formerly Integro)0203 9150 0342 | www.tysersentertainment.com | andy.rudge@tysers.com UK Theatre 020 7557 6700 | www.uktheatre.org | ukt@soltukt.co.ukUnusual Rigging Ltd 01604 830 083 | www.unusual.co.uk | info@unusual.co.ukWhite Light Ltd 020 8254 4800 | www.whitelight.ltd.uk | info@whitelight.ltd.ukA.C. Entertainment Technologies 01494 446 000 | www.ac-et.com | sales@ac-et.com Aluminium Access Products Ltd 01942 514 318 | www.tallescope.co.uk | info@tallescope.co.ukArno Acoustics 07984 727 730 | www.arnoacoustics.com | info@arnoacoustics.com Broadweigh 01395 232020 | www.broadweigh.com | marketing@broadweigh.comCharcoalblue LLP 020 7298 0000 | www.charcoalblue.com | studio@charcoalblue.comDelfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd 0844 482 5138 | www.delfontmackintosh.co.ukFlint Hire & Supply Ltd 020 7703 9786 | www.flints.co.uk | sales@flints.co.ukHawthorn 01664 821 140 | www.hawthorn.biz | hello@hawthorn.bizHighlite International BV 0031 45 566 7700 | www.highlite.com | info@highlite.comHQ Theatres and Hospitality 020 7406 1740 | www.hqtheatres.com | info@hqtheatres.comJ&C Joel Ltd 01422 833 835 | www.jcjoel.com | sales@jcjoel.comLW Theatres 020 7557 7300 | www.lwtheatres.co.uk | customer.relations@lwtheatres.co.ukNational Theatre 020 7452 3333 | www.nationaltheatre.org.uk | GOLD ISG MEMBERSORIGINALORIGINALProduction Resource Group UK Ltd 0345 470 6400 | www.prg.com/uk | marketinguk@prg.comPLATINUM ISG MEMBERSTAIT International 020 8208 6000 | www.taittowers.com | London@taittowers.comAmbassador Theatre Group Ltd 0207 534 6100 | www.atg.co.ukETC Ltd 020 8896 1000 | www.etcconnect.com | uk@etcconnect.comISG member 2020SILVERISG member 2020BRONZEISG member 2020GOLDISG member 2020ORIGINALORIGINAL3LR Lighting Ltd 0117 325 9098 | www.3lrlighting.com | sales@3lrlighting.com8Build 0207 710 4488 | www.8build.co.uk | info@8build.co.ukAbsolute Motion Control Ltd www.absolutemotioncontrol.com | info@absolutemotioncontrol.comAmbersphere Solutions Ltd 0208 992 6369 | www.ambersphere.co.uk | sales@ambersphere.co.ukArup 020 7636 1531 | www.arup.com/venues | artsandculture@arup.comAutograph Sales & Installations 020 7281 7574 | www.autographsales.co.uk | sales@autograph.co.ukBennetts Associates 020 7520 3300 | www.bennettsassociates.com | mail@bennettsassociates.com Blitz, a GES Company 020 8327 1039 | www.blitzges.com | mhunt@blitzges.comCentre Stage Engineering Ltd 0844 499 6250 | www.centre-stage.co.uk | info@centre-stage.co.ukChauvet Europe Ltd 01773 511 115 | www.chauvetprofessional.eu | uksales@chauvetlighting.comCity Theatrical Ltd 020 8949 5051 | www.citytheatrical.com | London@citytheatrical.comClear-Com 001 510 337 6600 | www.clearcom.com | salessupportemea@clearcom.comDoughty Engineering Ltd 07811 392 270 | www.doughty-engineering.co.uk | sarah@sprandcomms.comDrapemakers 01332 371 710 | www.drapemakers.com | drapes@designservices.co.ukEM Acoustics 01483 266 520 | www.emacoustics.co.uk | info@emacoustics.co.ukGerriets GB Ltd 020 7639 7704 | www.gerriets.co.uk | info@gerriets.co.ukHarlequin Floors 01892 514 888 | www.harlequinfloors.com | enquiries@harlequinfloors.comHoist UK 0151 334 7682 | www.hoistuk.com | info@hoistuk.comIgus 01604 677 240 | www.igus.co.uk | sales@igus.co.ukKinesys 020 8481 9850 | www.kinesys.com | sales@kinesys.comLe Mark Group 01480 494 540 | www.lemark.co.uk | info@lemark.co.ukLSI Projects 01483 764 646 I www.lsiprojects.com | info@lsiprojects.comNODA 01733 374 790 | www.noda.org.uk | info@noda.org.ukOrbital 020 7501 6868 | www.orbitalsound.com | information@orbitalsound.comPreevue 020 7078 8892 | www.preevue.com | info@preevue.comPush The Button Ltd 0117 370 2626 | www.PTB.co.uk | hello@PTB.co.ukRoscolab Ltd 020 8659 2300 | www.rosco.com | contact@rosco.comSennheiser UK 01628 402 200 | www.sennheiser.com/mics | info@sennheiser.comSerapid Ltd 01359 233 335 | www.serapid.com | info-uk@serapid.comSES (Entertainment Services) Ltd 01753 585 050 | www.site-electrics.co.uk | sales@site-electrics.co.uk Set Up (Scenery) Ltd 01763 262 323 | www.setupscenery.com | info@setupscenery.comSkelly & Couch Ltd 020 7424 7770 | www.skellyandcouch.com | admin@skellyandcouch.comThe Fire Surgery Ltd 020 7921 0220 | www.thefiresurgery.com | andrew.nicholson@thefiresurgery.comThe Powerdrive Drum Co. Ltd 01525 370 292 | www.mypowerdrive.com | info@mypowerdrive.comTotal Solutions Group 0121 772 5234 | www.trussing.com | info@trussing.com Trafalgar Entertainment Group 020 7321 5400 | www.trafalgarentertainment.com | trafalgarmanagement@trafalgarentertainment.comTriple E Ltd 01959 570 333 | www.3-eee.com | info@3-eee.comVari-Lite Strand +31 (0) 543 542 531 | www.vari-lite.com / www.strandlighting.com| entertainment.europe@signify.com Voluntary Arts 02920 395 395 | www.voluntaryarts.org | info@voluntaryarts.org SILVER ISG MEMBERS10K Used Gear Limited 020 8308 9566 | www.10Kused.com | info@10Kused.com 1stintheatre Ltd 0333 335 0374 | www.1stintheatre.co.uk | info@1stintheatre.co.uk AECOM 020 7061 7000 | www.aecom.com | John.burgess@aecom.comAedas Arts Team 020 7480 1500 | www.aedas.com/aedasartsteam | artsteam@aedas.comAnderson Bradshaw Ltd 07544 095620 | michael@abltd.orgArtistic Licence Engineering Ltd 020 8863 4515 | www.artisticlicence.com | sales@artisticlicence.comAudio Light Systems Ltd 0800 043 4600 | www.audiolightsystems.com | enquiry@audiolightsystems.comAvison Young 020 7911 2265 | www.avisonyoung.co.uk | mike.cook@avisonyoung.comAVW Controls Ltd 01379 898 340 | www.avw.co.uk | info@avw.co.ukBlack Cat Music & Acoustics 01892 619 719 | www.blackcatmusic.co.uk | sales@blackcatmusic.co.ukBlue Chilli Flying 01234 780 180 | www.bluechilliflying.com | info@bluechilliflying.comBuroHappold Engineering 01225 320 600 | www.burohappold.com | jennifer.phillips@BuroHappold.comBurrell Foley Fischer LLP 020 7620 6114 | www.bff-architects.com | mail@bff-architects.co.ukCamstage 01727 830 151| www.camstage.com | sales-team@camstage.com Carr & Angier 01225 446 664 | www.carrandangier.co.uk | info@carrandangier.co.ukCentral Theatre Supplies 0121 778 6400 | www.centraltheatresupplies.co.uk | enquiries@centraltheatresupplies.co.ukClark Door Ltd 01228 522 321 | www.clarkdoor.com | sales@clarkdoor.comConisbee 020 7700 6666 | www.conisbee.co.uk | design@conisbee.co.uk CWS Lifting and Safety Ltd0117 941 5306 | www.cwslifting.co.uk | sales@cwslifting.co.ukd&b audiotechnik GB Ltd 01453 835 884 | www.dbaudio.com | info.gb@dbaudio.comDrama By Design 0845 644 3846 | www.dramabydesign.com | info@dramabydesign.comDurham Scenic Workshops 0191 371 9238 | www.durhamscenicworkshops.co.uk | info@durhamscenicworkshops.co.ukEnlightened 01179 727 123 | www.enlx.co.uk | info@enlx.co.ukEquals 020 7580 3360 | www.equalsconsulting.com | mail@equalsconsulting.comFinch Consulting (Health & Safety) 07527 002 689 | www.finch-consulting.com | Melvin.Sandell@finch-consulting.comFlashlight Ltd 01706 625 866 | www.flash-light.co.uk | sales@flash-light.co.ukFoster Wilson Architects 020 7354 1315 | www.fosterwilsonarchitects.com | mail@fosterwilsonarchitects.comGDS (Global Design Solutions) 0117 325 0063 | www.gds.uk.com | sales@gds.uk.comGillieron Scott Acoustic Design 020 8671 2223 | www.gsacoustics.org | info@gsacoustics.orgGoboPlus 020 3603 1335 | www.goboplus.com | enquiries@goboplus.comGort Services 01706 849 295 | www.gorts.co.uk | sales@gorts.co.ukHarkness Screens (UK) Ltd 01438 725 200 | www.harkness-screens.com | sales@harkness-screens.comHarper Tackley Consultants 07976 279 701 | www.harpertackley.com | simon@harpertackley.comHaworth Tompkins 020 7250 3225 | www.haworthtompkins.com | info@haworthtompkins.comHayles and Howe Ltd 0117 972 7200 | www.haylesandhowe.co.uk | info@haylesandhowe.co.ukHOAC Schweisstechnik GmbH +49 (0) 2841 90828-0 | www.hoac.com | info@hoac.comHoward Eaton Lighting Ltd 01273 400 670 | www.helluk.com | info@helluk.comIlluminate Design 01206 709 694 | www.illuminatedesign.co.uk | info@illuminatedesign.co.ukJohn Young Creative Industries 01252 711816 | www.jyci.co.uk | johnyoung@jyci.co.ukJSN Production Services Ltd 079 6183 9411 | www.facebook.com/jsnproductionserviceltd | jsnproductionservices@gmail.comJust Rigging & Inspections Ltd 01244 678 324 | www.just-rigging.com | enquiries@just-rigging.comLee Filters 01264 366 245 I www.leefilters.com | marketing@leefilters.comLevitt Bernstein 020 7275 7676 I www.levittbernstein.co.uk | hello@levittbernstein.co.ukLocker and Riley Fibrous Plastering Ltd 01245 322 022 | www.lockerandriley.com | enquiries@lockerandriley.comMayr Transmissions Ltd 01535 663 900 | www.mayr.com | sales@mayr.co.ukMDG FOG UK 01604 741 000 | www.mdgfoguk.com contact@mdgfoguk.comMultistage International Ltd 01284 750 474 | www.multistage.co.uk | info@multistage.co.ukMushroom Lighting 01604 790 900 | www.mushroomlighting.com | info@mushroomlighting.comNorthern Light 0131 622 9100 | www.northernlight.co.uk | info@northernlight.co.ukOrnate Plaster (London) Ltd 01252 718 669 / 07930 068 008 | www.ornateplasterlondon.com | info@ornateplasterlondon.com Otago Blue Ltd 01837 54059 | www.otagoblue.co.uk | info@otagoblue.co.ukPlann Ltd 020 3846 9230 | www.plann.co | Julia@plann.coPress Red Rentals Ltd 01952 587 049 | www.pressred.biz | rentals@pressred.bizProduction Safety Ltd 07973 159 402 | www.productionsafety.co.uk | mail@productionsafety.co.ukPulse Consult 0121 389 8658 | www.pulseconsult.co.uk | enquiries@pulseconsult.co.ukRB Health and Safety Solutions Ltd 0845 257 1489 | www.rbhealthandsafety.co.uk | admin@rbhealthandsafety.co.ukRigging Services Direct Ltd 0845 555 6575 | www.riggingservices.co.uk | info@riggingservices.co.ukRigging Team Ltd 020 3126 4040 | www.riggingteam.com | office@riggingteam.comRobolights Ltd 01392 823 040 | www.robolights.com | sales@robolights.comRope Assemblies Ltd 01777 700714 | www.ropeassemblies.co.uk | sales@ropeassemblies.co.ukSansei Technologies Inc. 0081 6 6393 5621 | www.sansei-technologies.com/eng | www.sansei-technologies.com/eng/contactSlingco Ltd 01706 855 558 | www.thecablenet.net | sales@thecablenet.netSolutions on Stage 0117 244 8625 | www.solutionsonstage.co.uk | enquries@solutiononstage.co.ukSound Space Vision 020 8877 5860 | www.soundspacevision.com | SSV@soundspacevision.com Stage Electrics 03330 142 102 | www.stage-electrics.co.uk | sales@stage-electrics.co.uk Theatretech 01935 882 828 | www.theatretech.net | info@theatretech.netWe are Blueshed 01353 723750 | www.weareblueshed.co.uk | hire@weareblueshed.co.ukZero 88 01923 495495 | www.zero88.com | enquiries@zero88.comBRONZE ISG MEMBERSCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ Group Association of British Theatre Technicians55 Farringdon Road, London EC1M 3JBTel: 020 7242 9200 Email: office@abtt.org.uk Website: www.abtt.org.ukOFFICERS & COUNCILRichard Bunn ChairmanLouise Birchall Mig Burgess Alexander Cann David Evans Andy Franks Matthew Freeman Co-optedPeter Maccoy Ben Mills Co-optedPaul Moore Co-optedCaroline RouseNikki ScottEmma WilsonAnton WoodwardEX OFFICIO MEMBERS OF COUNCILMichael AndersonChairman, Safety CommitteeSebastian Barnes Chairman, Training & Education Comm.Tim FosterChairman, Theatre Design Comm.Roger FoxChairman, Historical Research Comm.Jean Shevelan Chairman, NorthNet – CommMark White Chairman, Communications and Publications CommitteeRoger Fox Company SecretaryMatthew Jones Honorary SecretaryLoretta Tomasi Honorary TreasurerTamykha Patterson UK Theatre & Live Events Apprenticeship Network FounderSTAFFRobin Townley Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Elysia Moore Association Co-ordinatorStuart Roberts Financial ControllerCONSULTANTGeoffrey Joyce ABTT Training Co-ordinatorRegistered Charity 282069SightlineCONTENTSvol. 44 no. 1Editorial 7Creation Theatre – a digital transformation 8Adaptable Theatres 12David Adams – a life in theatre 16Ten Top Tips for outdoor working from Wildworks 20Modern Theatres 1950-2020: An interview with David Staples 24An Inspector Calls 28Introducing the Theatre Green Book 33All the virtual world’s a stage 34Young Associates 37Technical Standards 39Members News 42Safety Matters 43Editor Rebecca MorlandPublisher John Offord Entertainment Technology Press Ltd The Studio, High Green, Great Shelford Cambridge, Cambs CB22 5EGTel: 01223 550805 Fax: 01223 550806Advertising enquiries should be sent to john@etnow.comSightline is published in March, June, September and December. Copies are sent to ABTT members as a benefit of membership. Current and past copies are also available via the ABTT website www.abtt.org.uk/shop at a cost of £5.00 (ABTT members) or £10.00 (non-Members).Opinions expressed in Sightline are not necessarily those of the Publisher or the Association of British Theatre Technicians. All rights are reserved and reproduction of any part in whatever form is prohibited without the prior permission of the ABTT and/or the Publisher. Information is published in good faith but no responsibility can be attached to the Publisher or to the Association or to any of their members or employees for the accuracy or for any liability arising therefrom. ISSN: 0265-9808 Cover photo: Meet Me at the Edge, 2020 Wildworks/Ian KingsnorthDims LED close to zero!For smooth fades with dimmable replacement LED, CFL or incandescent sourcesTrailing edge mains dimmersunDial quad yDMX512/RDM/Xicato controlled y4-channels, 1kW total yEditable dimming curve per output yAutomatic heat & current management yPreset, data loss and test modes yCAT III rated - install directly into DBs yGenerator tolerant design yDIN Rail or surface mountwww.ArtisticLicence.comKeep your audience socially distanced.Simple and stylish fabric bands to restrict access to seats not in use. No need for signs that fall off or stickers that ruin upholstery. Washable, re retardant and reusable. Branded and colour coordinated to suit your venue.01332 371710 | sarah@designservices.co.uk | www.drapemakers.comSightline Spring 2021 7 EditorialAt this point a year ago I was pulling together content for the Spring 2020 edition of Sightline. By the time it had been published and circulated, the world had changed, and all theatres had closed. A very long year later, it does now seem that there’s a way ahead, which could lead to the re-opening of theatres in England over the spring and summer. However, the “roadmap” ahead is hedged with provisos, and – after the brief re-opening in the autumn – there is understandable caution. Quite clearly conditions in the sector will remain incredibly challenging for quite some time.And yet, because we are a creative and agile industry, there are continuing examples of innovation where companies and individuals find new ways forward, and I’m delighted to be able to highlight some of these in this edition. Creation Theatre – who have many years of experience of site specific theatre mainly in and around Oxford – pivoted with remarkable speed to deliver their work digitally via zoom. Researchers from the University of Exeter have delivered a detailed report and digital toolkit based on their achievements over the last year, and we are including extracts from this which may well be of use to anyone else wanting to go down this route. Another digital pioneer is White Light whose Smart Studio is breaking new ground in the area of extended reality (xR). This technology started as a way of revolutionising sports broadcasts (through blending the physical and virtual worlds) and now has much to offer the theatre world, as Alicia Earls explains. Last summer, Wildworks – a company who specialise in landscape theatre – put together a series of Top Ten Tips on Twitter – to share their expertise with many who were venturing into that way of working for the first time. They have generously allowed us to re-issue those tips, and have also shared more of their knowledge in an interview. I would also urge anyone with the time to spare to seek out the original short films on twitter, however! As they acknowledge, outdoor work can have health and safety challenge, and Alan Lynagh in the latest of his columns An Inspector Calls, provides some detailed advice, based on some of the cases he has been dealing with recently. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of ABTT, and we are looking back at its history in two articles. Firstly, and very sadly, through celebrating the life of David Adams, who became involved at the very beginning, and has played a major role throughout the entire period. As Editor of the Publications Committee, Technical Standards for Places of Public Entertainment (The Yellow Book) was probably his greatest achievement, but he will also be remembered for much else, as his many friends and colleagues remember. Particular thanks to Roger Fox for his dogged research on this piece, tracking down evidence behind many stories! We also look back to the 1961 Conference on Adaptable Theatres the first international conference in Britain dedicated to the subject of modern theatre technology, design, and innovation. As Paul Roberts explains, this had all sorts of implications for the theatre industry. Paul’s PhD is on the role of the ABTT in the development of post-war British technical theatre, and he makes a very convincing case for the pivotal role of this particular conference.Another notable date is April 2021 – when Modern Theatres, edited by David Staples, and published by Routledge in association with ABTT, is finally published! We have been running extracts from this major work since 2016, but there is much more to discover within the book, which reviews performance buildings built since 1950. To mark its publication, we feature an interview David Staples who explains where the motivation for the book came from, and how it ties in with his exceptionally long career as a consultant.As always, please do get in touch if you want to comment on anything featured, or if you have any ideas for future articles. Rebecca Morland Editor Sightline@abtt.org.uk8 Sightline Spring 2021Creation Theatre – a Digital TransformationCreation Theatre has a reputation for performing classic texts in extraordinary locations, especially outdoors. In March 2020, in response to Covid-19, they quickly took their productions online – broadcasting live via Zoom. They have refined and developed that way of working since then, and in November 2020 were awarded Innovate UK funding in to further develop radical and innovative digital projects.Their projects have involved actors broadcasting live from their homes, with the help of virtual backgrounds, props and costumes. Their theatre is live and interactive, and is enjoyed by audiences from across the country, and, increasingly, the world. Productions produced since the start of the pandemic started with The Tempest and have since included The Time Machine, Alice: A Virtual Theme Park and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.production. This production, like subsequent productions, was live throughout save for a single broadcast in the context of the research project. All Creation’s productions include interactive elements with, for example, Alice: A Virtual Theme Park including audiences designing their own hedgehog avatar on their mobile phones and using their drawing to play a game. Their Christmas show The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ran for two live performances a day and included within it a very a very special cameo appearance from iconic drag artist Le Gateau Chocolat as The Good Witch. With their development of a new performance platform in 2020-21, Creation Theatre are creating a bespoke ‘digital theatre’ venue that will enable them to continue with such experimentation with the medium.One of the more interesting implications of the shift to digital has been the shift in responsibilities of various members of the design and production team, especially the Production Manager and Stage Manager.The Production Manager role expanded and shifted significantly, becoming much more technical. Giles Stoakley, Production Manager, describes his work on the Zoom production as ‘just monitoring things’ and as being the one in rehearsals to ensure the financial and technical feasibility of ideas. This does not however, lead to a reduction in the production manager’s workload, as ‘the other stuff becomes much more difficult, just because you can’t access people, because it’s incredibly difficult to teach an actor who isn’t technological and has no basis of knowledge of this, to use a relatively complicated software programme, and to not only teach it to them, but to teach it to them remotely.’His remit also extended to organising the logistics of shipping costumes, props, and elements of set design to performers’ homes and organise their return at the end of the run, and to thinking through the impact of rehearsals and performances on performers’ lives and the people with whom they shared their homes. New strategies had to be devised for remote risk assessments of performers’ home studio sets, and new challenges arose to square the production’s budget with performers’ needs for loans of tech equipment. The Stage Manager’s role underwent the most significant shift. All physical aspects of the role were dropped and made way for an entirely technical role which combined ‘elements of television producer and Deputy Stage Manager’. The change brought with it opportunities to work with a new set of people Annabelle Terry in The Wonderful Wizard of OzTheir innovations have resulted in a Case Study and Digital Toolkit, researched by Pascale Aebischer and Rachael Nicholas, from the University of Exeter, and funded by AHRC. We are very grateful for them for permission to summarise excerpts from that piece of work for the benefit of Sightline readers. These particular extracts concentrate on the practical and technical implications of this way of working but the full study which can be found on the Creation Theatre website https://www.creationtheatre.co.uk/about/innovation/ covers all aspects of the work, ranging from audience research to implications for their business model. Creation/Big Telly’s co-production of The Tempest in April/May 2020 had previously been mounted outdoors as a site-specific, immersive ‘game theatre’ production in 2019. The show was rapidly adapted for Zoom, reuniting the director and the bulk of the cast of the 2019 Next >