Winter 2019Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignThe new Boulevard Theatre, SohoTheatres Trust Conference 19: Centre StageLeeds Playhouse RefurbishedFairfield Halls, CroydonModern Theatres – Stage EngineeringA Streatham Hill MysteryCOLLECTIVE 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.comTrail Systems +358 (0) 40 517 43 74 | www.trail.fi| contact@trail.fiUK 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.ukFlint Hire & Supply Ltd 020 7703 9786 | www.flints.co.uk | sales@flints.co.ukHawthorn 01664 821 140 | www.hawthorn.biz | info@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.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.com8Build 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 Blitz, a GES Company 020 8327 1000 | www.blitzges.com | enquiries@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.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.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.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 +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 Allies and MorrisonSILVER ISG MEMBERSISG member 2019SILVERISG member 2019BRONZEISG member 2019GOLDISG member 2019ORIGINAL10K 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 | 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 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 020 7112 8903 | www.eStage.net | studio@eStage.netFinch 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.comHSL Group Holdings Ltd 01254 698 808 | www.hslgroup.com | simon.stuart@hslgroup.comHussey Seatway 01985 847 200 | www.husseyseatway.com | sales@husseyseatway.comIDIBRI 024 7667 3645 | www.idibri.com | contact@idibri.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 01244 678 324 | www.just-rigging.com | enquiries@just-rigging.comLee Filters 01264 366 245 I www.leefilters.com | sales@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.ukOtago Blue Ltd 01837 54059 | www.otagoblue.co.uk | sales@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.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’ 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 & COUNCILRichard Bunn ChairmanLouise Birchall Mig Burgess David Evans Andy Franks Matthew Freeman Co-optedDarren Joyce Peter Maccoy Paul Moore Co-optedAnette OllerearnshawTamykha Patterson Co-optedCaroline RouseNikki ScottEmma WilsonJohn 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 – CommMark White Chairman, Communications and Publications CommitteeRoger Fox Company SecretaryMatthew Jones Honorary SecretaryLoretta Tomasi Honorary TreasurerSTAFFRobin Townley Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Elysia Moore Association Co-ordinatorStuart Roberts Financial ControllerCONSULTANTGeoffrey Joyce ABTT Training Co-ordinatorRegistered Charity 282069SightlineCONTENTSvol. 42 no. 4Editorial 7Boulevard Theatre, Soho 8Modern Theatres – Stage Engineering 12Theatres Trust Conference 19: Centre Stage 18Mike Barnett Remembered 21A Streatham Hill Mystery 22Leeds Playhouse Refurbished 26Remembering Alan Grant 31Strand, Fitups and the First Virtual Reality Simulators 32The Theatre Industry and the Circular Economy – pt 2 36Fairfield Halls 39An Inspector Calls 43Young Members News 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 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: Leeds Playhouse. Photo by Jim Stephenson LIGHTING | AV | RIGGING | STAGING | DRAPESTECHNICAL INSTALLATIONS & SERVICING FOR THEATRES. hawthorn.biz01664 821 111install@hawthorn.bizw: t: e: Dims 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.comSightline Winter 2019 7 EditorialOne of my highlights over the last few months was standing at the edge of the auditorium of London’s new Boulevard Theatre, and watching its intricate set of revolves operating at both stalls and circle level. Not long ago such complex systems in a small theatre would have seemed unthinkable, but they now hopefully offer a way forward that will make this particular theatre more viable, enabling it to accommodate a wide range of uses during one single day. Coincidentally, in the latest article from our Modern Theatres series, Mark Ager outlines the role that computers have played in the development of Stage Engineering systems. My favourite new fact from this incredibly informative article was that the US Military had a role in the development of the Power Flying System in the Metropolitan Opera House in 1965! Another unexpected link between the armed forces and theatre is explained by Shane Guy from Nottingham Trent University. His article Strand, Fitups and the First Virtual Reality Simulators explains the role played by theatrical engineers and designers to create virtual environments to train pilots during World War II. Painstaking historical research is also behind another article, which unravels the development of the design of Streatham Hill Theatre, courtesy of some skilled detective work from Tim Hatcher and Roger Fox. As well as the Boulevard Theatre, two other building projects are explored in this edition. Richard York visits Leeds Playhouse, the renamed West Yorkshire Playhouse, just emerging from its major renovation with a building that seems to make much more sense in terms of its layout. We also visit Fairfield Halls in Croydon, where a major scheme has restored this 60s venue, stripping it back to its origins visually, but also upgrading its infrastructure and ensuring that it is fit for purpose as a cultural centre for Croydon and beyond. I was lucky enough to attend the Theatres Trust Conference in early October, and in one session, we heard about nine current or future capital schemes. Even with the three featured in this edition of Sightline, there are another six to come over the next two years or so – and I now have their planned finishing dates in my diary to ensure that we feature them! This Conference was notable for not only focusing on building projects, but actually hearing more from artists and audiences, and starting to address some very interesting issues around cultural democracy.Sadly, not every major event in the theatre industry coincides with our editorial deadlines. We were very pleased to see that The Stage were including within their Annual Awards, a new Award for Achievement in Technical Theatre. This, together with their existing Award for Theatre Building of the Year, will be of real interest to readers. However, their shortlist will not be announced until after Sightline has gone to press! We will certainly report in full on the shortlist and the eventual winners in Spring Sightline.For those of you who haven’t found your way to the new ABTT website yet, one of its new features is the opportunity to acquire current and past issues of Sightline – going right back to 2009 – they are sitting in the Shop section along with a wide range of publications, technical standards updates etc. If you are looking for a particular article, it is possible to look inside the cover to see the contents page before you buy! And finally, particular thanks go to Alan Lynagh, Senior Licensing Surveyor for Westminster City Council, who has contributed another in his An Inspector Calls series – on Exit Widths and Capacities. He would have been perfectly within his rights to not meet his deadline, given that this coincided with the recent Piccadilly Theatre ceiling collapse, but, like the consummate professional he is, it still came in on time! By the time this issue of Sightline comes out, we will be well into the run-up to Christmas, and the ABTT Christmas Party will have come and gone. I hope you all have wonderful Christmases and successful New Years!Rebecca MorlandEditorsightline@abtt.org.uk 8 Sightline Winter 2019 The Boulevard TheatreThe Boulevard Theatre, in the heart of Soho, has just re-opened in October 2019, after a complete re-build. Based on a tight site within Walkers Court, this small unsubsidised theatre needed to develop a business model which would allow it to work with theatre producers and commercial operators, and generate income in a range of ways. The design of the theatre needed to support these ambitions. Working closely with the client, Fawn James and Soho Estates, consultants Charcoalblue and architects from SODA Studio, explored several ideas, with one solution standing out as the best way to meet the unique spatial and operational constraints. Fawn James welcomed it as being both “playful and audacious”, and loved the idea, confirmed Elena Giakoumaki, Theatre Designer for Charcoalblue.The core idea was a revolving auditorium and a mechanised floor that provides multiple configurations.The seating revolves at both stalls and balcony level to create various relationships between audiences and performers. The rotating balcony level is believed to be the first of its kind.An innovative technical solution for a small theatreWith a seating capacity of up to 160 seats, the revolving auditorium can be reconfigured within one hour and every aspect of the auditorium design has been planned to ensure an effective and efficient change between formats. The speed and efficiency of changeover was a key consideration and influenced many of the decisions, including seating that adapts between auditorium and dinner seating, movable acoustic partitions, and duplicated technical infrastructure for each theatre orientation. This will enable the Boulevard to host up to four events a day with minimal downtime between shows.This innovative design pushed boundaries, and involved a collaboration with stage engineering specialist TAIT that started at design stage, as they worked with Charcoalblue to test whether the designs for lifts and revolves would be achievable, especially within the space confines, and helped determine the potential budget. This partnership then continued through the development of project. One significant technical challenge to the design team was that all the wiring and technology embedded in the balcony level had to revolve with it. Working with Charcoalblue, TAIT developed AutoCAD 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 >