Winter 2020Winter 2020SightlineSightline Journal of Theatre Technology and DesignJournal of Theatre Technology and DesignCompleted projects:Completed projects:Octagon, BoltonOctagon, BoltonContact Theatre, ManchesterContact Theatre, ManchesterThe Malthouse, CanterburyThe Malthouse, CanterburyPerforming Arts in Higher Education:Performing Arts in Higher Education:The Value of Talent in a Post-Covid WorldThe Value of Talent in a Post-Covid WorldThe Scale Model in Contemporary DesignThe Scale Model in Contemporary DesignCOLLECTIVE 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 2020ORIGINALORIGINAL3LR Lighting Ltd 0117 325 9098 | www.3lrlighting.com | sales@3lrlighting.com8Build 0207 710 4488 | www.8build.co.uk | info@8build.co.ukAbsolute Motion Control Ltd www.absolutemotioncontrol.com | info@absolutemotioncontrol.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.ukEM 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.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 SILVER 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.ukZero 88 01923 495495 | www.zero88.com | enquiries@zero88.comBRONZE ISG MEMBERSCOLLECTIVE STRENGTHIndustry Supporters’ Group Association of British Theatre Technicians55 Farringdon Road, London EC1M 3JBTel: 020 7242 9200 Email: office@abtt.org.uk Website: www.abtt.org.ukOFFICERS & COUNCILRichard Bunn ChairmanLouise Birchall Mig Burgess Alexander Cann David Evans Andy Franks Matthew Freeman Co-optedPeter Maccoy Ben Mills Co-optedPaul Moore Co-optedCaroline RouseNikki ScottEmma WilsonAnton WoodwardEX 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 TreasurerTamykha Patterson UK Theatre & Live Events Apprenticeship Network FounderSTAFFRobin Townley Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Elysia Moore Association Co-ordinatorStuart Roberts Financial ControllerCONSULTANTGeoffrey Joyce ABTT Training Co-ordinatorRegistered Charity 282069SightlineCONTENTSvol. 43 no. 4Editorial 4The Theatrical Guild – and Cocktails! 8Contact Theatre, Manchester 10The Malthouse, Canterbury 14The Scale Model in Contemporary Design for Performance 19Letter to the Editor: Coming Round at the National 22Octagon, Bolton 24Performing Arts in Higher Education – The Value of Talent in a Post-Covid World 28McPherson Recital Room, St Andrews 33Young 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. 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Whoever you are, let Taylor-Phillips help you find what you are looking for!Sightline Winter 2020 7 EditorialAt the time of writing this, England is back in lockdown, and all theatres are closed. By the time that this edition of Sightline is distributed we’ll know if the promised end of lockdown has come about, and if theatres can re-open in time for their Christmas shows. We can only hope! What has been encouraging over the last few months has been seeing theatre doors re-opening throughout the UK, and performances, albeit socially distanced, taking place. This has been encouraging in so many ways. Not only has it brought a small amount of work to the incredibly beleaguered freelance sector, but it has demonstrated that the demand for live theatre has not gone away. Bookings have been high and audiences have responded well to the new experience of theatre-going. The latest lockdown has been yet another challenge for the sector in England, who have had to shut shows down mid-run, and have had to make the call about whether to keep rehearsing for a run which might not be allowed. One of the casualties of this was the National Theatre’s production of Death of England – the first of a series of plays in the re-configured Olivier – with the production sadly closing on its press night. We had been planning an article on the re-configuration into the round, both its technical implications and the audience experience, and we now hope to run this in the next edition of Sightline. In the meantime, Terry Lane has written to us, reminding us of Stephen Joseph’s role in the development of theatre in the round. Anette Ollerearnshaw has been tracking the impact of Covid on the Higher Education sector over the last two editions of Sightline. In her final article, she looks at the challenges and opportunities that graduates and industry newcomers are now finding in this “new normal” world.Covid has resulted in many theatre capital projects being delayed, so we haven’t been able to feature any in the last couple of editions. However, we now have something of a bonanza, with three schemes being featured. Two (Contact Manchester and Bolton Octagon) are re-developments of existing theatres, and the third (Malthouse Canterbury) involves the conversion of an existing building. In the words of Contact’s Matt Fenton, the situation is currently “bittersweet” for both Contact and the Octagon as both schemes are finished but audiences are yet to return. I only hope it won’t be too long until large numbers of people can see work in all of these excellent buildings. I’m also hoping to visit them all!Another recently completed scheme is the Laidlaw Recital Room at St Andrew’s University. Nicholas Edwards is the acoustic specialist on the project, and has provided us with a detailed piece on what the Concert Hall can achieve acoustically, which I found fascinating.Equally fascinating (although very different) is Rose Montgomery’s article, which looks at the role of the scale model, and the relationship between that and the work of designers. I would welcome responses to this from practising designers and others!And finally, one of the sources of support for theatre workers in these difficult times has been the Theatrical Guild, which has provided funding for many more people than usual this year. They have been assisted in this by a grant from the Arts Council, but they still need to fundraise so that they can continue to provide support. And, sadly, many of their usual avenues for fundraising aren’t going to happen in the short-term – one of them was the ABTT Christmas Drinks, for example. However, as their Chair, Jan Carey, explains here, a previous recipient of funding, Adam Tartaglia, has decided to pay something back. Adam has developed a book of musical themed cocktail recipes, which is now on sale via etsy. I can’t help thinking it would be a great Christmas present for any cocktail loving musical theatre fan… And I, for one, plan to be drinking a cocktail from the book, whilst virtually attending the ABTT Christmas Party! I very much hope to see some of you there. Rebecca Morland Editor sightline@abtt.org.uk8 Sightline Winter 2020The Theatrical Guild – and Cocktails!Jan Carey, Chair The Theatrical Guild (TTG) was founded as the Theatrical Ladies Guild almost 130 years ago by the indomitable actress Kitty Carson whose husband Charles Carson was co-founder of The Stage. Its purpose was to help support all theatre workers throughout the UK, specifically to support women. In the last 20 years the TTG has made several nuanced changes to its defining remit and now embraces and supports all front of house and backstage workers with the purpose of enabling them to get back on their feet. TTG prides itself on its accessibility and the support offered, and in addition to emergency grants, includes counselling, re-training within the profession, and advice.The lockdown in March has had a hugely negative impact on the theatre workers that the TTG supports. To put this in perspective, in 2019 TTG helped 112 backstage and front of house theatre workers. This year, to date, TTG has provided support to 1,018 individuals across the UK. As a very small charity with limited funds this would not have been possible without support from the Arts Council who, at the beginning of the pandemic, chose TTG to distribute £450,000 on their behalf. This enabled us to support the high number of requests and also widen the range of skilled workers we helped.The need for ongoing donations to the TTG to carry on its valuable work is essential and it has been wonderful to see individuals in the theatre industry using their own skills to create and fundraise on our behalf. The A -Z of Musical Inspired Cocktail Recipes by Curtain Call came to TTG as a very generous thank you for support, from Adam Tartaglia who said “Losing a job that you absolutely adore is devastating. The Theatrical Guild have been able to help me and many others through such a terrible time and by creating this book in aid of TTG it allows me to give something back to an industry which means so much.”With no knowledge of when the restrictions for theatres will be lifted, and with no sign of the demand for support slowing, Kitty Carson’s vision is no less relevant than it was nearly 130 years ago.Copies of The A-Z of Musical Inspired Cocktail Recipes can be purchased via Etsy (put title of book into Etsy browser).Next >