Autumn 2018Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignITEAC 2018Spaces of No Obligation: The Albany Theatre Historical Society of America: a report from DetroitABTT 2018: Awards and The First 40 YearsModern Theatres: Casa da Música, Porto8Build 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 Europe Ltd 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 EM 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.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 | info@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 Trafalgar Entertainment Group 020 7321 5400 | www.trafalgarentertainment.com | trafalgarmanagement@trafalgarentertainment.comTriple 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 020 8208 6000 | www.taittowers.com | sales@taittowers.comNimax Theatres Ltd 020 7395 0780 | www.nimaxtheatres.com | general@nimaxtheatres.comReally Useful Theatres Group 020 7557 7300 | www.reallyusefultheatres.co.ukSociety of London Theatre 020 7557 6700 | www.solt.co.uk | enquiries@soltukt.co.uk Steeldeck Industries Ltd 020 8692 9721 | www.steeldeckUK.com | sales@steeldeck.co.ukTheatreplan 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.comNational Theatre 020 7452 3333 | www.nationaltheatre.org.uk | GDS®®GOLD ISG MEMBERSORIGINAL10K 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.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 | twilson@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.orgGort Services 01706 849 295 | www.gorts.co.uk | sales@gorts.co.ukGVA 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 Ltd Chester01244 678 324 | www.just-rigging.com | enquiries@just-rigging.comJust 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.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.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’ Group 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 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. 3Editorial 7Inspiring The Future / Theatre Helpline 8ITEAC 2018 10Spaces of No Obligation – The Albany 14Theatre Historical Society of America 2018 18Shoestring Theatre – Stephen Joseph Association 22The Production Managers Forum 24Roger Fox – 40 years of the ABTT Show 262018 ABTT Theatre Awards 28Stage Sight 31Modern Theatres: Casa da Música, Porto 3440 years of Cromer’s ‘Seaside Special’ 39Young Members News 43Book Review: AutoCAD – a handbook for Theatre Users 44Book Review: Twenty Theatres 45Technical Standards 47Members News 50Safety Matters 51Editor 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 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: Chandelier, Redford Theatre, Detroit. Photo: Tim HatcherLIGHTING | 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 Autumn 2018 7 EditorialI’m very pleased to welcome you to the Autumn 2018 edition of Sightline. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that the previous Summer edition seemed rather larger than previously. There are now 56 pages in total for this, and future, editions. In addition to enabling us to cover more material in each issue, this means we are able to introduce two new regular features. One of these is a regular column from the Standing Committee for Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment. They review the content of Technical Standards on a monthly basis and the column will provide information about amendments, additions and deletions. It will also provide guidance on how the Technical Standards may be used and include some “case studies” from real world situations.The second new feature is a listing of all the Organisations which are currently Affiliated to the ABTT. Robin Townley, Chief Executive Officer of ABTT, explains this as follows:“Our Articles of Association state: Any non-profit distributing organisation interested in technical aspects of the art of theatre shall be qualified to be affiliated to the Association.” It is very pleasing to now have space to formally acknowledge all our Affiliated Organisations. They form an essential link with the work that the ABTT undertakes on behalf of those who are engaged in the operation and management of places of entertainment and also on behalf of those engaged in the production of performance. It is this industry wide participation by all the Affiliated Organisations that gives validity to the principle of self-regulation in our sector and allows the ABTT to represent practitioners and their commitment to safe and compliant practice. You will find the listing of Affiliated Organisations on pages 54 and 55: is your theatre listed there? Are you using all your benefits? Any Affiliated Organisation may nominate at least 3 members of their teams to receive ABTT membership benefits. Who are the beneficiaries of membership benefits in your organisation? Do have a look at the list, if you are not there and you’d like to enquire about becoming an Affiliated Organisation please do contact the ABTT Office: office@abtt.org.uk”Other highlights include follow-ups from two major events that took place over the summer. The International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (ITEAC) took place over three days in early June. Given the scale of the Conference it would have been impossible for one reporter to cover it all, so we asked several attendees to write. We have also included some extracts from the anonymised post-conference survey which included the amazing finding that 97% of attendees intend to attend or participate in ITEAC 2022! And we also report from the ABTT Theatre Show, highlighting the ABTT Award winners and also finding out about the history of the Show, as told by departing Director Roger Fox. The Modern Theatres initiative, developed by David Staples, continues, and this issue focuses on the extraordinary Casa de Música, Porto. In complete contrast, Tim Hatcher reports back from the Theatre Historical Society of America’s most recent conclave in Detroit. His report highlights some of the amazing theatres that have survived in that city. The relationship between theatre buildings and the communities they serve is also highlighted in Ben Stephen’s piece on The Albany, Deptford. The title of this piece refers back to one of the sessions at ITEAC.We also continue to introduce groups that contribute to the theatre industry, and whose work intersects with that of the ABTT. In this edition, we introduce the Stephen Joseph Association, the Production Managers Forum, and Stage Sight. We hope to hear from all of them again in the future. As always, feedback on this edition will always be welcome, as well as ideas for future articles.Rebecca Morland. Sightline@abtt.org.uk 8 Sightline Autumn 2018 Inspiring The FutureEarlier this year UK Theatre and the Society of London Theatre and Inspiring the Future (part of the charity Education and Employers), launched Inspiring the Future of Theatre, an initiative to showcase the range of careers available in theatre to young people. Inspiring the Future of Theatre aims to nurture new generations of theatre-makers and audiences from school age, and connect schools with local theatres. Inspiring the Future of Theatre shows young people that there is a huge range of careers in theatre as they’re starting to think about what they might do in the future, and so helps make careers in the industry realistic and attainable. Talking with volunteers from the world of work helps young people to see that every lesson and every day of school is a building block to their future success. Over 700 professionals from all areas of the industry have already signed up to be Inspiring the Future of Theatre ambassadors, and to talk with young people about their career path. Most volunteers will take part in individual Inspiring the Future sessions, organised between the school and ambassadors themselves. We are also holding 15 flagship Inspiring the Future of Theatre events, focusing on areas of the UK prioritised for social mobility and cultural development. Theatres participating include Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Hastings White Rock Theatre, Staffordshire’s New Vic, Cast in Doncaster, Peterborough’s Key Theatre, Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre, Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre and Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre – with more to be announced in different regions of the UK.A social media campaign took place on 11 July, with #InspiringFutureTheatre one of the top UK Twitter trends as many of the country’s theatres and arts organisations and industry professionals shared their own inspirations, education work and career success stories. Any theatre professional can sign up to be an Inspiring the Future of Theatre ambassador. Visit the Inspiring the Future website. Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre have launched the Theatre Helpline, a free 24-hour phone and email service supporting theatre professionals with any issue affecting their health and well-being.It’s a confidential resource that offers support and advice on a range of personal and professional topics, including bullying, physical and mental health, finance, careers and retirement issues. It is open to anyone working in theatre, whether in-house or freelance.We created the Theatre Helpline as a result of our 2017 Theatre Workforce Review, and as part of the work UK Theatre and SOLT have done, with colleagues across the industry, to encourage safe and supportive working practices for everyone. Callers to the Theatre Helpline will be given a safe place to share worries and concerns, and they’ll be provided with the resources they need to seek professional help if necessary. Because UK Theatre and SOLT are committed to bringing the theatre industry together to provide a supportive working environment for everyone we’ve also produced a handbook, available on the UK Theatre Theatre Helplinewebsite, containing ‘10 Principles’ encouraging safe and supportive working practices in theatre, a legal checklist to help theatres implement or modify policies and procedures, summaries and suggestions from open forums we held across the country.The Theatre Helpline will initially run as a pilot for one year, providing the industry with insight into what further support might be necessary, and how it might be funded in the longer term.To help us all to promote the Theatre Helpline we have produced posters and business cards detailing the service provided and the contact information. The poster is available to download on the Theatre Helpline website: theatrehelpline.org Whether in the rehearsal room, boardroom, front of house or backstage, we hope Theatre Helpline provides a place for theatre professionals to talk through any concerns they have, at any time.The number for the Theatre Helpline is 0800 915 4617. The email address is advice@theatrehelpline.org. All calls are free of charge. 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 AmazonAlso now available: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 >