Autumn 2020Autumn 2020SightlineSightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignJournal of Theatre Technology and DesignResponses to COVID-19:Responses to COVID-19:Corona and Theatre – a New Journey?Corona and Theatre – a New Journey?From Sprint to MarathonFrom Sprint to MarathonTheatres raise awareness!Theatres raise awareness!Theatre and Scenic ArtTheatre and Scenic ArtThe Backstage Heritage CollectionThe Backstage Heritage CollectionABTT Awards 2020ABTT Awards 2020COLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ GroupISG member 2020SILVERISG member 2020BRONZEISG member 2020GOLDISG member 2020PLATINUMNimax 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 Souvenir Scenic Studios 020 7237 7557 | www.souvenir.co.uk | info@souvenir.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 | sales@tfg.comTrail Systems +358 (0) 40 517 43 74 | www.trail.fi| contact@trail.fiTysers Entertainment & Sport (formerly Integro)0203 9150 0342 | www.tysersentertainment.com | andy.rudge@tysers.com UK 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 Broadweigh 01395 232020 | www.broadweigh.com | marketing@broadweigh.comCharcoalblue 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 | hello@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.comJ&C Joel Ltd 01422 833 835 | www.jcjoel.com | sales@jcjoel.comLW Theatres 020 7557 7300 | www.lwtheatres.co.uk | customer.relations@lwtheatres.co.ukNational Theatre 020 7452 3333 | www.nationaltheatre.org.uk | GOLD ISG MEMBERSORIGINALORIGINALProduction Resource Group UK Ltd 0345 470 6400 | www.prg.com/uk | marketinguk@prg.comPLATINUM ISG MEMBERSTAIT International 020 8208 6000 | www.taittowers.com | London@taittowers.comAmbassador Theatre Group Ltd 0207 534 6100 | www.atg.co.ukETC Ltd 020 8896 1000 | www.etcconnect.com | uk@etcconnect.comISG member 2020SILVERISG member 2020BRONZEISG member 2020GOLDISG member 2020ORIGINALORIGINAL8Build 0207 710 4488 | www.8build.co.uk | info@8build.co.ukAbsolute Motion Control Ltd www.absolutemotioncontrol.com | info@absolutemotioncontrol.comAllies & Morrison 020 7921 0239 |www.alliesandmorrison.com | sfraser@alliesandmorrison.comAmbersphere Solutions Ltd 0208 992 6369 | www.ambersphere.co.uk | sales@ambersphere.co.ukArup 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 1039 | www.blitzges.com | mhunt@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.comSennheiser UK 01628 402 200 | www.sennheiser.com/mics | info@sennheiser.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 | admin@skellyandcouch.comThe 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 MEMBERS10K 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 | jennifer.phillips@BuroHappold.comBurrell Foley Fischer LLP 020 7620 6114 | www.bff-architects.com | mail@bff-architects.co.ukCamstage 01727 830 151| www.camstage.com | sales-team@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 Ltd0117 941 5306 | www.cwslifting.co.uk | sales@cwslifting.co.ukd&b audiotechnik GB Ltd 01453 835 884 | www.dbaudio.com | info.gb@dbaudio.comDrama By Design 0845 644 3846 | www.dramabydesign.com | info@dramabydesign.comDurham Scenic Workshops 0191 371 9238 | www.durhamscenicworkshops.co.uk | info@durhamscenicworkshops.co.ukEnlightened 01179 727 123 | www.enlx.co.uk | info@enlx.co.ukEquals 020 7580 3360 | www.equalsconsulting.com | mail@equalsconsulting.comFinch 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.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.ukJSN Production Services Ltd 079 6183 9411 | www.facebook.com/jsnproductionserviceltd | jsnproductionservices@gmail.comJust Rigging & Inspections Ltd 01244 678 324 | www.just-rigging.com | enquiries@just-rigging.comLee Filters 01264 366 245 I www.leefilters.com | marketing@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.ukOrnate Plaster (London) Ltd 01252 718 669 / 07930 068 008 | www.ornateplasterlondon.com | info@ornateplasterlondon.com Otago Blue Ltd 01837 54059 | www.otagoblue.co.uk | info@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.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/contactSlingco 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 | SSV@soundspacevision.com Stage Electrics 03330 142 102 | www.stage-electrics.co.uk | sales@stage-electrics.co.uk Theatretech 01935 882 828 | www.theatretech.net | info@theatretech.netWe are Blueshed 01353 723750 | www.weareblueshed.co.uk | hire@weareblueshed.co.ukBRONZE 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 Ben Mills Co-optedPaul 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. 43 no. 3Editorial 4Corona and Theatre – a New Journey? 8ABTT Awards 2020 17Theatre and Scenic Art 18Theatres raise awareness! 24Performing Arts in Higher Education – From Sprint to Marathon 26The Backstage Heritage Collection 31Book Review – Architectural Acoustics 34CallQ: All in the Timing 36Young Associates page 37Technical Standards 39Members News 42Safety Matters 43Editor 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 photo: Chichester Festival Theatre, taking part in Light it in Red, July 2020, courtesy of Chichester Festival Theatre.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.comat www.taylor-phillips.co.ukcandidates...Register now!Head of Technical ServicesT-PTaylor-PhillipsRecruitment Consultants to the Entertainment Industryat www.taylor-phillips.co.ukcandidates...Register now!Recruitment Consultants to at www.taylor-phillips.co.ukcandidates...Register now!t: 01223 55 08 09e: andrew@taylor-phillips.co.ukT-PTaylor-PhillipsRecruitment Consultants to the Entertainment Industryt: 01223 55 08 09e: andrew@taylor-phillips.co.ukT-PTaylor-PhillipsRecruitment Consultants to the Entertainment IndustrySpecialising in jobs for the Entertainment Technology sectorWelcome to Taylor-Phillips Recruitment ConsultantsTaylor-Phillips is exclusively tailored for the entertainment technology industry We understand the market!Which means that we only place candidates in jobs that the employee will find rewarding and the employer will find professionally undertaken.We understand the business!We usually get it right first time – saving you time and resources. Whoever you are, let Taylor-Phillips help you find what you are looking for!Sightline Autumn 2020 7 EditorialWhen I wrote the editorial for Summer Sightline back in May, I said that “we are now in a period of exceptional uncertainty, with – at the time of writing – no real end in sight”. Sadly, this is still pretty much the case. And it is still an ever-changing scenario – meaning that this editorial is peppered with the phrases “at the time of writing” - by the time Sightline arrives through your letterboxes, no doubt the goalposts will have shifted again. We now have “roadmaps” for the re-opening of theatres in the United Kingdom, but with no definitive timelines attached. In England, we now know that the earliest review of when theatres can open without social distancing is at some point in November, meaning that – realistically – the earliest date for most re-openings will be 2021. In response to this, every day is bringing news of show cancellations and postponements, and, sadly, potential job losses, with the ripple effect of these closures is being felt throughout the wider industry. Whilst the Government’s announcement of £1.57 billion for the cultural sector was hailed with relief in early July, it is taking time to be distributed, and it has to stretch a very long way. The main source of support for the theatre sector is likely to be the £500m Culture Recovery Fund – which again needs to cover many very different types of organisation and sectors (ranging from “community” to “crown jewels”). It notably fails to offer any support to the freelancers who make up 70% of the industry’s workforce and – at the time of writing – there is no government-led support for them.So, not a very positive moment to be producing Sightline?However, what the last few months have demonstrated is that theatre has within it amazing expertise, passion, innovation and a diversity of views and experience, and a willingness to come together to support each other through this period. Hopefully, Sightline can demonstrate some of that as well!Within the wider theatre industry, there have been a series of campaigns highlighting the importance of theatres and the individuals who work within them. Two of the most notable ones were Light It In Red! And Missing Live Theatre, and when we put a call-out for any images from these campaigns we were inundated! We have therefore decided not only to dedicate our cover to one image, but also to fill the centre pages with a range of the theatres that took part. Many thanks to everyone who sent photos!Theatre also has within it many individuals who are innovative and also practical, and are developing potential solutions to the challenges posed by Covid-19. I’m delighted that Richard Pilbrow has written a detailed article exploring how theatres could respond to this challenge. In addition, Anette Olreanshaw has written another despatch from the frontlines of Higher Education – Performing Arts in Higher Education – From Sprint to Marathon, where they are now planning for a new academic year where training will be very different. We are not, however, dedicating the whole of Sightline to the present and possible future. We highlight the two ABTT Award winners – Technician of the Year and the winner of the new Award for Emerging Excellence – both demonstrating the skills and expertise that we have in our industry. In addition, John Faulkner has reviewed Raj Patel’s major book on Architecture and Acoustics, Michael Hall has drawn on his definitive work on the development of scenic art, to write Theatre and Scenic Art for us, while Rob Halliday has written an introduction to the Backstage Heritage Collection (which includes within it Richard Pilbrow’s Lighting Desk…). As he says “not the most important thing to worry about in these difficult times, but perhaps also able to provide some of the welcome distraction we all need”.As always, it would be great to have comments and feedback.Rebecca Morland Editor sightline@abtt.org.uk 8 Sightline Autumn 2020Corona and Theatre – A New Journey?I guess I’m the luckiest lighting designer, ex-producer, and theatre design consultant that I ever met. From age 14 I loved theatre – a constant collaboration with so many brilliant colleagues – that has given me a good life: from Sir Laurence Olivier to Elizabeth Taylor, from Harold Prince to Julie Andrews. Today when, to my shocked surprise, I find myself an old man, our world of theatre faces an unprecedented crisis. Almost every one of the amazing people I have met over a 65-year career are without gainful employment. Our audiences too are bereft.It is estimated that in Britain alone the theatre industry in 2020 saw a decline in revenue of £3 billion1. The coronavirus is an unfolding catastrophe for humankind. For theatre – that relies upon the gathering of people – it is potentially a death knell.Corona is deadly. It may be asymptomatic, giving no sign of its presence while secretly infecting all in its reach; it may injure your ability to breath, corrupt your blood, damage your brain, or kill you.To date social distancing is the only known weapon capable of stopping the pandemic.The search for a vaccine is on … it may 1 Oxford Economics. https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/oxford-economics-reveals-latest-figures-for-uk-creative-industries/Richard Pilbrowtake months … or years. And then … the next one?Theatre has survived for thousands of years. It is our species answer to being alone.It must do what it can to fight the virus.But for live performance, social distancing can only be a temporary standby. Longer term it is an impossibility, financially and artistically. We depend upon congregation.Theatre must prepare itself in three ways – employing three of its most basic attributes.It must:Contain – Clean – CommunicateContain.Live performance today occurs in a sheltered place. Over centuries theatre has developed buildings that can be isolated from the outside world. Clean.Theatre – and all the air within it – must be cleaned to destroy 99.9% of potential pathogens.CommunicateTheatre – performers and audience are all individuals. Audiences book in advance. They are members of our community. Technology today allows us to know every one of them. They The Berliner Ensemble, in its Covid-19 layout © Moritz HaaseNext >