Summer 2018Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignDesigning and engineering the Bridge TheatreNST - a new theatre for SouthamptonBook Review: Modern PlayhousesABTT’s visit to Hull New TheatreModern Theatres: Auditório Ibirapuera, Säo Paulo8Build 0207 710 4488 | www.8build.co.uk | info@8build.co.ukADB Stagelight s.a.s.u +33 (0)3 23 06 3570 | www.adbstagelight.com | info@adblighting.comAllies & Morrison 020 7921 0239 |www.alliesandmorrison.com | sfraser@alliesandmorrison.comArup 01962 829 900 | www.arup.com | 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 Centre Stage Engineering Ltd 0844 499 6250 | www.centre-stage.co.uk | info@centre-stage.co.ukChauvet Professional 01773 511 115 | www.chauvetprofessional.eu | uksales@chauvetlighting.comCity Theatrical Ltd 020 8949 5051 | www.citytheatrical.com | London@citytheatrical.comDoughty Engineering Ltd 07811 392 270 | www.doughty-engineering.co.uk | sarah@sprandcomms.comDrapemakers 01332 371 710 | www.drapemakers.com | drapes@designservices.co.ukEaton - Zero 88 01923 495 495 | www.eatonlightingsystems.com | lightingcontrolsolutions@eaton.com Gerriets 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.ukLe Mark Group 01480 494 540 | www.lemark.co.uk | info@lemark.co.ukLee Filters 01264 366 245 I www.leefilters.com | sales@leefilters.com LSI Projects 01483 764 646 I www.lsiprojects.com | info@lsiprojects.comNODA 01733 374 790 | www.noda.org.uk | info@noda.org.ukPhilips Entertainment Group Europe 00 31 543 542 513 | www.lighting.philips.com/main/products/entertainment | entertainment.lighting@philips.comPush The Button Ltd 0117 370 2626 | www.PTB.co.uk | hello@PTB.co.ukRoscolab Ltd 020 8659 2300 | www.rosco.com | contact@rosco.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 | anna@skellyandcouch.comSouvenir Scenic Studios 020 7237 7557 | www.souvenir.co.uk | simon@souvenir.co.ukThe Fire Surgery Ltd 020 7921 0220 | www.thefiresurgery.com | andrew.nicholson@thefiresurgery.comTheatre Projects Consultants Ltd 020 7482 4224 | www.theatreprojects.com | uk@theatreprojects.comTotal Solutions Group 0121 772 5234 | www.trussing.com | info@trussing.com Triple E Ltd 01959 570 333 | www.3-eee.com | info@3-eee.comVoluntary Arts 02920 395 395 | www.voluntaryarts.org | info@voluntaryarts.org Allies and MorrisonSILVER ISG MEMBERSCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ GroupPRG XL Video 0845 470 6400 | www.prg.com/uk | info@prg.comPLATINUM ISG MEMBERSTAIT Stage Technologies Ltd 020 8208 6000 | www.stagetech.com | info@stagetech.comReally Useful Theatres Group 020 7557 7300 | www.reallyusefultheatres.co.ukSteeldeck Industries Ltd 020 8692 9721 | www.steeldeckUK.com | sales@steeldeck.co.ukSociety of London Theatre 020 7557 6700 | www.solt.co.uk | enquiries@soltukt.co.uk Theatreplan 020 7841 0440 | www.theatreplan.co.uk | info@theatreplan.co.ukTheatres Trust 020 7836 8591 | www.theatrestrust.org.uk | info@theatrestrust.org.uk Torpedo Factory Group 01706 849 469 | www.tfg.com | hello@tfg.comUK Theatre 020 7557 6700 | www.uktheatre.org | ukt@soltukt.co.ukUnusual Rigging Ltd 01604 830 083 | www.unusual.co.uk | info@unusual.co.ukWeightmans LLP 0151 242 7935 | www.weightmans.com | Peter.Forshaw@Weightmans.comWhite 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.ukAmbassador Theatre Group Ltd 0207 534 6100 | www.atg.co.ukCharcoalblue LLP 020 7298 0000 | www.charcoalblue.com | studio@charcoalblue.comClay Paky Spa 00 39 035 65 43 11 | www.claypaky.it | info@claypaky.itDelfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd 0844 482 5138 | www.delfontmackintosh.co.ukETC Ltd 020 8896 1000 | www.etcconnect.com | uk@etcconnect.comGDS (Global Design Solutions) 0117 325 0063| www.gds.uk.com | matt.lloyd@gds.uk.comHawthorn 01664 821 140 | www.hawthorn.biz | info@hawthorn.bizJ&C Joel Ltd 01422 833 835 | www.jcjoel.com | sales@jcjoel.comNimax Theatres Ltd 020 7395 0780 | www.nimaxtheatres.com | general@nimaxtheatres.comGDS®®GOLD ISG MEMBERSORIGINALABTT Theatre Show 2018 Exhibitor1stintheatre Ltd 0333 335 0374 | www.1stintheatre.co.uk | info@1stintheatre.co.uk 10K Used Gear Limited 020 8308 9566 | www.gearsourceeurope.com | info@gearsourceeurope.comAECOM 020 7061 7000 | www.aecom.com | John.burgess@aecom.comAedas Arts Team 020 7480 1500 | www.aedas.com/aedasartsteam | artsteam@aedas.comAmbersphere Solutions 020 8992 6369 | www.ambersphere.co.uk | Sales@ambersphere.co.ukAnderson Bradshaw Ltd 07544 095620 | michael@abltd.orgAudio Light Systems Ltd 0800 043 4600 | www.audiolightsystems.com | enquiry@audiolightsystems.comAVW Controls Ltd 01379 898 340 | www.avw.co.uk | info@avw.co.ukBlue Chilli Flying 01933 551 922 | www.bluechilliflying.com | info@bluechilliflying.comBristol UK Ltd 01923 779 333 | www.bristolpaint.com | tech.sales@bristolpaint.comBuro Four 020 7832 5500 | www.burofour.com | slewis@burofour.comBuroHappold Engineering 01225 320 600 | www.burohappold.com | andrew.wylie@BuroHappold.comBurrell Foley Fischer LLP 020 7620 6114 | www.bff-architects.com | mail@bff-architects.co.ukCamstage 01727 830 151| www.camstage.com | info@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.comClear-Com 001 510 337 6676 | www.clearcom.com | judy.cheng@clearcom.comConisbee 020 7700 6666 | www.conisbee.co.uk | design@conisbee.co.uk Consultancy Team UK (Ltd) 020 8888 9099 | www.consultancyteam.ltd.uk | office@consultancyteam.uk Crew Class 07984 148 906 | www.crewclass.co.uk | trainme@crewclass.co.ukCWS Lifting and Safety Ltd0800 334 5997 | www.cwslifting.co.uk | sales@cwslifting.co.ukd&b audiotechnik GB Ltd 01453 835 884 | www.dbaudio.com | info.gb@dbaudio.comEnlightened 01179 727 123 | www.enlx.co.uk | info@enlx.co.ukEquals 020 7580 3360 | www.equalsconsulting.com | mail@equalsconsulting.comEramita 0090 212 709 7090 | www.eramita.com | info@eramita.comeStage Production Ltd 020 7112 8903 | production.estage.net | production@estage.net Flashlight Ltd 01706 625 866 | www.flash-light.co.uk | sales@flash-light.co.ukFlint Hire & Supply Ltd 020 7703 9786 | www.flints.co.uk | sales@flints.co.ukFoster Wilson Architects 020 7354 1315 | www.fosterwilsonarchitects.com | mail@fosterwilsonarchitects.comGillieron Scott Acoustic Design 020 8671 2223 | www.gsacoustics.org | info@gsacoustics.orgGVA Acuity 020 7911 2265 | www.gva.co.uk/culture | mike.cook@gva.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.comHSL Group Holdings Ltd 01254 698 808 | www.hslgroup.com | simon.stuart@hslgroup.comHussey Seatway 01985 847 200 | www.husseyseatway.com | sales@husseyseatway.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.ukJust Rigging & Inspections Scotland Ltd 0141 646 0499 | www.justrigging.co.uk | info@justrigging.co.ukLocker and Riley Fibrous Plastering Ltd 01245 322 022 | www.lockerandriley.com | enquiries@lockerandriley.comMansoft 00358 44 770 0060 | www.mansoft.fi| samu.backman@mansoft.fiMayr Transmissions Ltd 01535 663 900 | www.mayr.com | sales@mayr.co.ukMultistage International Ltd 01284 750 474 | www.multistage.co.uk | info@multistage.co.ukMushroom Lighting 01604 790 900 | www.mushroomlighting.com | info@mushroomlighting.comNational Youth Theatre 020 3696 7066 | www.nyt.org.uk | info@nyt.org.ukNorthern Light 0131 622 9100 | www.northernlight.co.uk | info@northernlight.co.ukOtago Blue Ltd 01837 54059 | www.otagoblue.co.uk | sales@otagoblue.co.ukPlann Ltd 020 3846 9230 | www.plann.co | admin@plann.coPrice and Myers 020 7631 5128 | www.pricemyers.com | mail@pricemyers.comRB 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.comRoland 01792 702 701 | www.proav.roland.com | simon.kenning@roland.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/contactSaville Audio Visual 0370 606 1100 | www.saville-av.com | head.office@saville-av.comShowTex NV 0032 3 236 84 40 | www.showtex.com | bo.bettens@showtex.comSlingco Ltd 01706 855 558 | www.thecablenet.net | sales@thecablenet.netSound Space Vision 020 8877 5860 | www.soundspacevision.com | info@soundspacevision.com Stage Electrics 03330 142 100 | www.stage-electrics.co.uk | sales@stage-electrics.co.uk Theatretech 01428 651 488 | www.theatretech.net | info@theatretech.netBRONZE ISG MEMBERSCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ GroupABTT Theatre Show 2018 Exhibitor Association of British Theatre Technicians55 Farringdon Road, London EC1M 3JBTel: 020 7242 9200 Fax: 020 7242 9303Email: office@abtt.org.uk Website: www.abtt.org.ukOFFICERS & COUNCILLouise Jeffreys ChairwomanRichard Bunn Vice-ChairmanZoe Cotton Co-optedDavid Edelstein David Evans Matthew Freeman Co-optedPeter Maccoy Tom Mannings James McKeogh Co-optedPaul Moore Co-optedRikki NewmanAnette OllerearnshawTamykha Patterson Co-optedCaroline RouseNikki ScottMark WhiteJohn YoungEX 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 – ABTTMark White Chairman, Communications and Publications CommitteeRoger Fox Company SecretaryDavid Adams Deputy Company SecretaryMatthew Jones Honorary SecretarySTAFFRobin Townley Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Elysia Moore Association Co-ordinatorStuart Roberts Financial ControllerCONSULTANTGeoffery Joyce ABTT Training Co-ordinatorRegistered Charity 282069SightlineCONTENTSvol. 41 no. 2Editorial 7One great week for theatre 8Are we being dense: designing the Bridge Theatre 14Engineering the Bridge Theatre 19NST – a new theatre for Southampton 21Book Review: Modern Playhouses 27Modern Theatres: Auditório Ibirapuera, Säo Paulo 31Hull New Theatre 40Tonic 4418th Edition IET Wiring Regulations – Overview 47Book Review: The Right Light 50Young Members News 51Safety Matters 53Members News 54Editor 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.com Sightline is available by annual subscription of £120 (four issues). Sightline is published in March, June, September and December. Cheques should be made payable to Entertainment Technology Press Ltd and sent to the Publisher as above. Alternatively, please go to www.etnow.com/sightline for an order form.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: The Bridge Theatre, photography Philip VileLIGHTING | AV | RIGGING | STAGING | DRAPESTECHNICAL INSTALLATIONS & SERVICING FOR THEATRES. hawthorn.biz01664 821 111install@hawthorn.bizw: t: e: HQTracksFabrics & FlooringDrapes & ShapesStage EngineeringConsumablesDid You Know?We can provide bespokedesign, manufacturing and installation services giving customers a turn-key solution anywhere on the globe.UK Europe Africa Middle East Asia Australasiaprojects@jcjoel.com www.jcjoel.com +44 (0)1422 833835Sightline Summer 2018 7 EditorialThis Summer Sightline is being pulled together at a very busy time for ABTT – as we are in the final stages of organising ITEAC, with the ABTT Show fast behind. What is really impressive is the number of delegates and speakers attracted from all over the world for the Conference, many of whom will then stay on for the ABTT Show. This highlights the interconnectivity that now exists within the theatre industry. Many of the companies showcasing their products at the ABTT Show are international, but with a strong presence in the UK. Or they are UK based, but have a strong presence overseas. This was highlighted in the impressive amount of press generated about the proposed EU Ecodirective and its impact on lighting (which we featured in the last edition of Sightline). As has been pointed out, it makes no difference that the UK will be leaving the EU in 2019, as our lighting industry is inextricably tied up with that of Europe. This subject, and many others, will be discussed at ITEAC - we highlight the programme and outline the schedule later in Sightline.One of the highlights of ITEAC will be a visit to the Bridge Theatre. Sightline includes two articles about the Bridge: Steve Tompkins, from architects Haworth Tompkins, explains the process that they went through to design its auditorium, whilst Tait go into considerable (and fascinating) detail about the engineering that has made this design possible. We explore two other theatres in Sightline. The NST in Southampton is an entirely new theatre, which I very much enjoyed visiting a few months after it opened. It is always interesting to discover from the team who are operating a new theatre, how they and audiences are responding to it a few months in. I was particularly impressed by the auditorium, and the way in which its flexibility is being capitalised on by the team – with a commitment to configure the auditorium differently for every major production! We also hear from Jonathan Brown, who joined a recent ABTT tour to the Hull New Theatre, which was substantially improved in advance of Hull’s Capital of Culture celebrations. It highlighted just how interesting these theatre tours can be – and we hope there will be several more over the autumn and spring, when several theatre schemes are due to come to fruition. Both these projects were driven, and largely funded, by local authorities – both of whom believed that cultural investment can have dividends for their cities and communities. It is increasingly difficult for such major building programmes to be funded by local or national government, and in a major new book (Modern Playhouses: An Architectural History of Britain’s New Theatres, 1945-1985), Alistair Fair looks back at a period when over 60 theatres were built. So many theatres were built in those pre-lottery days, with much of the majority of funding provided via schemes such as the Arts Council’s Housing the Arts. Peter Longman, Housing the Arts Officer during that period, reviews and contextualises this major book which will be used for reference purposes for many years.I also wanted to draw your attention to two different initiatives. There will be a page in Sightline from now on, given over to Young Associate Members of ABTT. Do pop into that page, and get in touch with them to talk about future content! We’re also highlighting the work of Tonic – who are doing brilliant work to support the theatre industry to become as diverse as possible – for the greater benefit of us all.As we were about to go to press I was sent a really important article about an overview of the main changes within the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (publishing 2nd July 2018). We’ve found room for it in this edition, and it will also be the subject of a seminar at the ABTT Show. I look forward to meeting many of you at ITEAC or at the ABTT show. It would be great to put faces and names, and get ideas for future articles or directions for Sightline.8 Sightline Summer 2018 ITEAC runs from 3-5 June at the IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology), in central London between 3rd and 5th June 2018, and the ABTT show is back at Alexandra Palace in Haringey from 6th-7th June, and there is a lot to look forward to at both events. We know that many ITEAC delegates (many of whom join us from all over the world) plan their visits so that they can stay on for the ABTT show, and this means that conversations and networking which start at the first event can continue at the latter.The highlights of ABTT show are covered later (pg 8)The content of ITEAC’s programme is put together by an experienced and knowledgeable Editorial Board, led by Chairman, David Staples, with a wide international representation. We are very grateful to them all for giving up so much time to bring this event together. This year’s programme looks forward to identify key developments in theatre, engineering and architecture, and contains within it many strands. New this year is support from Tonic, who have been working with the Editorial Board to identify new and diverse speakers who will increase the range and depth of the programme.A particular feature of the Conference is a series of keynote speeches which will set the tone for the day. These include international architects Francine Houben and Ascan Mergenthaler, opera director Graham Vick and actor/director Mark Rylance. Additional keynotes, announced at the last moment, are New York based architect, Elizabeth Diller (currently designing the Centre for Music, a permanent home for the London Symphony Orchestra) and the co-founder of the Bridge Theatre, Nick Starr. Engineering sessions are well-represented in the programme, with various sessions exploring the need to refurbish and upgrade engineering systems and potential opportunities around theatre automation systems.We will also include two sessions on Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality – with one session exploring some of the ways it can now be used in performance and a further session looking at the complex tools being used to create ground-breaking visual enhancements to the audience experience. There will be opportunities to get hands-on at the VR “Virtual Reality Showcase”. Wider digital issues are not overlooked either, with a session exploring how digital can influence theatre design One great week of theatre…(Digital Interaction in Analogue Spaces).There will also be opportunities to hear about new theatre and concert halls from around the world, with architects, consultants and users bringing their very different viewpoints to sessions. There will also be sessions looking at particular design issues such as theatre acoustics, and the potential of flexible flooring.Although the conference will mainly look forward, in one particularly fast-moving session, we will look back at 20 of the most significant theatre buildings of the 20th Century from throughout the world, with an opportunity for the audience to vote at the end. Other architectural sessions will look at two contrasting mid-century masterpieces (Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and England’s National Theatre) and ask how these Brutalist buildings can remain relevant.One of the features of this year’s conference is a strong representation from theatre practitioners, enabling delegates to hear from directors, designers and artists in sessions such as The Artistic Directors’ Perspectives and Core Values in Theatre Architecture. There are also opportunities to hear from people working with groups who often feel marginalised within theatres, and indeed to discuss whether theatre buildings themselves have a future!The Conference is keen to address topical issues, with, for example, a session outlining the many challenges and opportunities that LED lighting brings, which will inevitably deal with the potential impact of the EU Ecodesign Directive. Another session will be looking at Noise in the Orchestra Pit – the potential damage to orchestral musicians’ hearing that was highlighted by a recent court case. We also explore sustainability through the notion of a Circular Theatre economy.There will be ample opportunities to network over lunchtimes and coffee breaks, and also at two social events. As well as the closing party, there will be a party on the first night, rounding off a visit to the new Bridge Theatre, home of Nick Hytner and Nick Starr’s London Theatre Company. The visit will offer opportunities to tour the theatre and hear from some of the team involved in the operation and development of this new 900 seat theatre.A full timetable (correct at the time of going to press) follows on pages 10 and 11 and detail on all the sessions and speakers (updated regularly) can be found on www.iteac.co.uk Every four years the annual ABTT show coincides with the quadriennial ITEAC, and 2018 is one of those years!AutoCAD for Theare Users – 4th edition David RipleyPrice: £32.00ISBN: 9781904031901From ‘Setting Up’ to ‘Drawing in Three Dimensions’ via ‘Drawings Within Drawings’, this compact and fully illustrated guide to AutoCAD covers everything from the basics to full colour rendering and remote 3D plotting. Fourth, completely revised edition, March 2018. Available from www.etbooks.co.uk or AmazonComing soon:Health and Safety Management in the Live Music and Events Industy by Chris HannamWest End in Watercolour: a portrait of London theatre by John HigginsNext >