Winter 2018Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignBattersea Arts Centre – the Grand Hall Hard Hats in TheatreBristol Old Vic – a project completed Kiln Theatre50 years of OISTATAdapt & Thrive!8Build 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.com | info@theatreplan.comTheatres 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.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.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.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 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 | Bharat.Kerai@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/contactShowTex NV 0032 3 236 84 40 | www.showtex.com | bo.bettens@showtex.comSlingco 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 | 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.netTheatron 00358 2 7636 4616 | www.theatron.eu | samu.backman@mansoft.fiBRONZE 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. 4Editorial 7The Kiln 10The Bristol Old Vic – a project completed 13An Inspector Calls 21OISTAT50 22OISTAT - Joel Rubin interview 26Battersea Arts Centre – the Grand Hall 28Adapt & Thrive 34A Hard Choice 39International Theatre Safety Symposium 43Young Members News 44Protect Your Reputation 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: Bristol Old Vic. Photo: 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 Winter 2018 7 EditorialThis autumn has been a period when a large number of theatres have re-opened after capital projects. We feature three of these in this edition of Sightline, but I am aware that there are others which we haven’t featured, for which I apologise – we hope to catch up with some in future editions. The second phase of Bristol Old Vic’s renovation is covered by Richard York, and has resulted in an incredibly impressive new foyer. As Emma Stenning, the theatre’s Executive Director, explained at the Theatres Trust Conference, the scheme will enable the theatre to generate much more income from catering and hires, which is increasingly important in these difficult times. Our report on Adapt & Survive, the Trust’s aptly named Conference, highlights many other case studies of theatres finding their own way through their particular challenges. Battersea Arts Centre was coming to the end of their capital project in 2015 when their Great Hall was devastated by fire. It re-opened in September, and we highlight the technical innovations which sit behind this eye-catching space. Also in London, the Kiln (formerly Tricycle) re-opened in September. Its re-opening attracted a lot of attention partly around its name-change, and this seems to have overshadowed the changes made to the theatre, which are reviewed here.In order not to be too dominated by theatre architecture in this edition, given the number of theatres that needed to be covered, we have reluctantly decided to pause on the series of Modern Theatres that we have been running since 2016. This initiative runs in association with ITEAC, and will culminate in a book edited by David Staples, due to be published in 2020. We will be featuring more pieces from this major work in future.A book that is already out, just in time for Christmas (!), is the report on the 2016 Symposium on 40 years of the National Theatre – A Place for Plays, presented by ABTT and the NT and hosted by Richard Pilbrow and Paule Constable. Anyone who attended this event will know that it was full of fascinating information and some really interesting discussions.This seems to have been an autumn of Conferences, and as well as Adapt & Survive, we also report back from OISTAT’s latest conference in Cardiff, and the incredibly far-flung International Theatre Safety Symposium in Seoul. Theatre Safety also features in two other pieces – Paul Edwards from the UK Safety Network writes on the role of hard hats in theatre, and we also welcome the first report from Alan Lynagh, Licensing Officer for Westminster City Council re: Magic Mike Live at the London Hippodrome. This is going to be a regular feature, although I think it is going to be difficult to top the particular challenges this show posed!Shaping the content for Sightline and identifying potential contributors to deliver some of that content is always enjoyable! We are now looking for Editorial Advisers, from all the disciplines that Sightline covers, to provide input in this area. This should not be a major time commitment! Please do get in touch with me at the email below if you are interested, and I can provide further details.And finally, two apologies relating to the previous edition of Sightline, where we managed to put incorrect captions on two photos. Both of these are examples of how you can proof a piece time and time again without seeing the obvious…Page 24 (The Production Manager’s Forum): This photo quite clearly didn’t refer to the “Woman in Production Management” panel, at the ABTT Theatre Show which featured Hannah Lobb, Sasha Milroy and Jacqui Leigh and was chaired by Sarah Rushton-ReadPage 40 (40 years of Cromer’s “Seaside Special”): The caption for the photo should have read: Stage Manager John Grey outside the Pavillion Theatre, 1979. Photo: John Grey.Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!Rebecca MorlandSightline@abtt.org.uk 8 Sightline Winter 2018 Kiln – the Tricycle re-bornThis visit to the Kiln Theatre (previously known as the Tricycle) took place on 4 October, just over 3 weeks after its re-opening. The theatre’s first production (Holy Sh!t) was on stage, and its second (White Teeth) was in rehearsal, and – as a result – access to some backstage areas was not possible, with the great majority of the tour taking place in or around the auditorium. It also focused on issues of particular interest to stage management, but we were lucky enough to be joined by Mark Lovell from Charcoalblue, Theatre Consultants for the project, who was available to answer questions.One of the most notable features of the Tricycle used to be its semi-hidden entrance – a long narrow passage used to lead off the Kilburn High Road to the theatre itself. The theatre now occupies the premises next to that long corridor, and the front part is now a café bar which opens onto the street – making the theatre seem much more welcoming and accessible. The old corridor is still there in many respects, but is stripped back to brick on one side and punched through with openings linking it through to the café bar. The original mosaic floor has also been uncovered. The toilets are now tucked in further along the corridor. The poor toilet provision was a cause of many complaints in the old Tricycle, and I can confirm that the new Ladies are plentiful (8 cubicles) and well set-out. A decorative metal gate, designed by Tom Piper, now sits at the end of the corridor, enabling the main theatre to be closed off whilst the café bar is open. Behind that, a neon sign welcomes audiences in.Rebecca Morland reports on the SMA visit to the just re-opened theatre, which was joined by ABTT membersThe main theatre bar and adjacent room (the John Lyon Room) are very much where they were before, but have been nicely upgraded, with original mouldings now uncovered in the John Lyon Room. The cinema foyer they join has also been improved, and now appears to be part of the same building rather than having a different identity – this is helped by having one shared box office there. The redevelopment of the theatre is quite clearly the most important aspect of the scheme. The footprint of the theatre itself has not been extended – it is still occupying the space of the original Foresters Hall – but has a larger volume, mainly due to reconfiguring of the levels within the auditorium and the stage but also due to pushing the auditorium out to the side walls of the Hall. This results in level access to the back of the stalls from the foyer and also quite a deep circle with a steep rake on it. A single fixed row of seating wraps around the auditorium at both stalls level and circle level, giving the auditorium a courtyard form. This, and the current end-on main body of seating, ensure that the theatre reflects and respects its previous incarnation and will not seem too unfamiliar to past attenders. The maximum capacity of the auditorium is 294, up by c 50, but this is variable, as the auditorium can now be reconfigured in several ways, with the main body of seating being mounted to a series of Unistrut rails on demountable rostra. The rostra also comprise the front half of the stage, and are all designed All photos by Philip VileAutoCAD 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 >