Summer 2019Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignVictoria Palace Theatre RedevelopmentTechnology and accessibility for d/Deaf audiencesCongress Theatre, EastbourneModern Theatres - National Opera House, Wexford, IrelandRoyal Central School of Speech & Drama8Build 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 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 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.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.ukEaton - Zero 88 01923 495 495 | www.eatonlightingsystems.com | lightingcontrolsolutions@eaton.com EM Acoustics 01483 266 520 | www.emacoustics.co.uk | info@emacoustics.co.ukGB4U Ltd 07967 556869 | www.gb4u.uk.com | Matt.lloyd@gb4u.uk.comGerriets 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.ukPreevue 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.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.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 00 44 (0)7918 161 179 | www.vari-lite.com / www.strandlighting.com| shaun.robertshaw@signify.com Voluntary Arts 02920 395 395 | www.voluntaryarts.org | info@voluntaryarts.org Allies and MorrisonSILVER ISG MEMBERSCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ GroupISG member 2019SILVERISG member 2019BRONZEISG member 2019GOLDISG member 2019PLATINUMNational Theatre 020 7452 3333 | www.nationaltheatre.org.uk | Nimax 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 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 | 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.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 Charcoalblue LLP 020 7298 0000 | www.charcoalblue.com | studio@charcoalblue.comDelfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd 0844 482 5138 | www.delfontmackintosh.co.ukHawthorn 01664 821 140 | www.hawthorn.biz | info@hawthorn.bizHighlite International BV 0031 45 566 7700 | www.highlite.com info@highlite.comIntegro Entertainment & Sport Insurance Brokers 020 3915 0342 | www.integroentertainment.com | Andy.Rudge@integrogroup.com J&C Joel Ltd 01422 833 835 | www.jcjoel.com | uksales@jcjoel.comLW Theatres 020 7557 7300 | www.lwtheatres.co.ukGOLD ISG MEMBERSORIGINALPRG XL Video 0845 470 6400 | www.prg.com/uk | info@prg.comPLATINUM ISG MEMBERSTAIT International 020 8208 6000 | www.taittowers.com | London@taittowers.comAmbassador Theatre Group Ltd 0207 534 6100 | www.atg.com ETC Ltd 020 8896 1000 | www.etcconnect.com | uk@etcconnect.comABTT Theatre Show 2019 Exhibitor10K 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.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 01234 780 180 | 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.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 CWS 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.comDrama By Design 01344 649 400 | www.dramabydesign.com | info@dramabydesign.comEnlightened 01179 727 123 | www.enlx.co.uk | info@enlx.co.ukEquals 020 7580 3360 | www.equalsconsulting.com | mail@equalsconsulting.comeStage Production Ltd 020 7112 8903 | production.estage.net | production@estage.net Finch 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.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.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.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.comNorthern 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 | Julia@plann.coRB 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 International 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 | hello@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 01935 882 828 | www.theatretech.net | info@theatretech.netTheatron 00358 2 7636 4616 | www.theatron.eu | samu.backman@mansoft.fiBRONZE ISG MEMBERSCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ GroupABTT Theatre Show 2019 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 & COUNCILRichard Bunn ChairmanLouise Birchall David Edelstein David Evans Matthew Freeman Co-optedDarren Joyce Charlotte Lockyer Peter Maccoy Tom Mannings James McKeogh Co-optedPaul Moore Co-optedAnette OllerearnshawTamykha Patterson Co-optedCaroline RouseNikki ScottJohn 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 ControllerCONSULTANTGeoffrey Joyce ABTT Training Co-ordinatorRegistered Charity 282069SightlineCONTENTSvol. 42 no. 2Editorial 7Victoria Palace Theatre redevelopment 8An Inspector Calls 14Royal Central School of Speech & Drama 16 – North BlockTechnology and accessibility for d/Deaf 20 audiences ABTT School Theatre Support Group 22Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre 26Congress Theatre, Eastbourne 27Introducing Nikki Scott 32Book Review – West End in Watercolour 34Modern Theatres – Opera House, Wexford 36Book Review – Scenic Construction for the Stage 43Young Members page 44Royal Opera House – Court of Appeal 45 judgementTechnical 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: Fly Tower, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne. Photo by Sam LevineLIGHTING | 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 2019 7 EditorialOne of the signs that summer is definitely on its way is information about the ABTT Theatre Show! It looks like being a great show, and, having missed it last year, I’m very much looking forward to being there – and especially catching up with the seminar programme and the opportunity to see some live theatre in the wonderfully restored Alexandra Palace Theatre. For those of you who can’t make it, we will, of course, be reporting on the ABTT Awards in the next edition.One of the highlights for me in compiling this edition of Sightline was a visit to Eastbourne to visit the just-renovated Congress Theatre, which I was lucky enough to do in the company of architect Mark Lewis, from Levitt Bernstein, and General Manager of Eastbourne Theatres, Gavin Davis. I have a bit of history with this particular project, as in my time at the Theatres Trust I was on an occasional steering group brought together by the Council to provide advice on this major scheme – which also includes the renovation of two other listed buildings (the Winter Gardens and Devonshire Park Theatre), the development of a new Welcome Building and the improvement of a major tennis venue. My visits to Eastbourne were always interesting. As well as watching the pier go up in flames, and many visits to one of the best second-hand bookshops I’ve ever visited (Camilla’s, on Grove Road – do drop in, if ever you visit), it was fascinating to see how the input of so many stakeholders was taken into account by the Council and the Project Team. It was a real pleasure to come back to the project several years later and see some of the outcomes.I am always very grateful to contributors to Sightline, and especially appreciate those with specialist expertise who take the time to write on subjects in a way that is accessible to those of us who aren’t specialist! Chris Boydell, from Conisbee, has written a very detailed account of the engineering challenges that they faced on the project to improve Victoria Palace Theatre. In complete contrast, Melanie Sharp, Chief Executive of Stagetext, has provided a great overview of the technological options currently available for d/Deaf and hearing impaired audiences. This is a fast-developing area, and I am sure that we will be coming back to it in future.Without planning to make it a theme, the relationship between education and theatre has turned up in several pieces in this edition. There is a report from the School Theatre Support Group Conference in February, which highlights the role that this group plays in providing support to those working in the education sector. If you know of friends or colleagues working in this area who haven’t joined the Group, then please do encourage them to do so, as it can be incredibly useful for them. The Conference was held in the new Sir Peter Hall Theatre at Perse School, which is a wonderful new space and one that will be central to the life of the school. Another new space is the North Block at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. This manages to pack a lot into a very constrained site – five high quality studios, one of which is a Courtyard Theatre – and is the latest of several developments on that particular Drama School. The challenge for all architects working on drama schools seems to be to create spaces that work well for rehearsal and performance, but at the same time are also teaching spaces which prepare their students for the many different environments that they will encounter once they graduate. Safety Matters is an important part of the service we offer ABTT members – two easily identifiable pages highlighting safety issues and providing up to date advice. However, the summary that Geoffrey Joyce wrote about the recent judgement on the Royal Opera House’s appeal re: its breach of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations seemed crucial enough to be featured separately. Although the appeal was not successful, the judgement has a lot of detail, which Geoffrey explores.We always welcome ideas for articles, so if you run into any interesting theatres, fascinating festivals or new technological developments while you are out and about over the summer, please do get in touch!8 Sightline Summer 2019 In July 2014 Conisbee were contacted by Richard Johnston, the Chief Executive of Delfont Macintosh Theatres (DMT), and asked to provide a Civil and Structural Engineering due diligence report, for the purchase of the Theatre by Sir Cameron Macintosh from Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen. At that time the Theatre stood alone, surrounded on all sides by construction works including the new LUL Victoria Line Northern Ticket Hall and Land Securities Nova Development.Planning permission for the upgrading of the Theatre and reconstruction of the Stage House had been obtained in 2009 and was granted for 10 years to reflect the adjacent ongoing works. The task was greatly assisted by an ex-colleague Martin Hargreaves, who had researched the site and its environs in advance of the planning permission. When the Theatre was constructed in 1911 the District Line was already in place (built 1886) below Victoria Street and the substantial brick ring Kings Scholars Pond Sewer (KSPS – built 1818) passes North to South under the East side of the site. Since that time the London Underground Limited (LUL) Victoria Line Station (built 1968) was introduced below the site with subsequent Paid Access Link (PAL) tunnels introduced to connect the existing underground stations with the new Northern Ticket Hall. The 30m deep Western Relief Sewer passes close to the East of the site and Land Securities Nova development was under construction on the West side of Allington Street.Victoria Palace Theatre RedevelopmentChris Boydell, ConisbeeThe Theatre had already endured several years of construction and was being monitored for consequential ground movement. Other than the dust, noise and isolation created by the adjacent works the only event that stopped a performance was grout breakthrough into the electrical control room during ground stabilisation necessary as part of the New Austrian Tunnelling system. This was cleared before the cement set and the Billy Elliott show proceeded the following day, with only one lost performance.The proximity of the PAL tunnels and sensitivity of escalators to be installed in them meant that restrictions were in place, in terms of depth, loading and permissible ground movement below the proposed stage house raft and the detailed design would require LUL approval. Similarly, the crown of the KSPS is both close to the ground floor of the Saloon and higher than the stage left level and also required detailed design approval by Thames Water Utilities Limited (TWUL).In reporting to the client and advising that all the proposed works were achievable, from an Engineering standpoint, it was clear they were going to be extremely challenging, given the proposed programme and budget and we queried the appetite to undertake them in the light of our findings. Conisbee were soon advised that Sir Cameron still wished to proceed and the rest is history….BH05/2BH05/3MM02MM03MM04P1MM05T3T1AH BH1331BH05/4MM09320AH BH2P2VICTORIA PALACE THEATREKINGS SCHOLARSPOND SEWERBHBHTP4/124TP5/124TP3/124TP2/124TP1/124TP1/CONTP2/CONTP3/CONLAND SECURITIES SITE - NOVA PHASE 1NORTHERN TICKETSHALL L.U.L.VENTILATIONSHAFTPROPOSED ESCAPECORRIDOR FROMTHEATRE BY LANDSECDISTRICT & CIRCLELINENEW ESCALATOR LINK.LIMITS BASE OFEXTENSION TO -2.21 & 2.71MM01WESTERN RELIEFSEWER (@ -30m)PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL 4BLUL VICTORIA STATIONAPPROXIMATELY -17mRevisionDrawing NoProject NoEngineerDrawnScaleDateDrawing StatusProjectTitleRevDateDrawnCheckDescriptionConsulting Structural EngineersConsulting Civil EngineersLondon N1 1DHTel020 7700 6666Fax020 7700 6686design@conisbee.co.ukwww.conisbee.co.uk1-5 Offord StTHIS DRAWING MUST BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SPECIFICATION AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DRAWINGS. DO NOT SCALE FROM THIS DRAWING.150365S098C1FINAL CONSTRUCTIONVICTORIA PALACE THEATRELONDON, SW1E 5EACONSTRAINT PLANJUNE 20151:200 @ A1DZNNNOT FOR CONSTRUCTIONTPLEGENDDENOTES BOREHOLE LOCATIONSDENOTESTRIAL PITS LOCATIONSDENOTESTHEATRE EXTENSIONC109.10.17FINAL CONSTRUCTION ISSUEAGNNConstraints PlanAutoCAD for Theatre 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 >