Winter 2021 Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and Design Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Polka Theatre, London Painting the New Safety Curtain for The Theatre Royal Drury Lane Theatres Trust Conference: Making Theatre SustainableCOLLECTIVE STRENGTH Industry Supporters’ Group ISG member 2021 SILVER ISG member 2021 BRONZE ISG member 2021 GOLDPLATINUM ISG member 2021 Ornate Plaster (London) Ltd 01252 718 669 / 07930 068 008 | www.ornateplasterlondon.com | info@ornateplasterlondon.com Society 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.uk Theatreplan 020 7841 0440 | www.theatreplan.com | info@theatreplan.com Theatres Trust 020 7836 8591 | www.theatrestrust.org.uk | info@theatrestrust.org.uk Torpedo Factory Group 01706 849 469 | www.tfg.com | sales@tfg.com Trail Systems +358 (0) 40 517 43 74 | www.trail.fi| contact@trail.fi Tysers 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.uk Unusual Rigging Ltd 01604 830 083 | www.unusual.co.uk | info@unusual.co.uk White Light Ltd 020 8254 4800 | www.whitelight.ltd.uk | info@whitelight.ltd.uk Aluminium Access Products Ltd 01942 514 318 | www.tallescope.co.uk | info@tallescope.co.uk Arno Acoustics 07984 727 730 | www.arnoacoustics.com | info@arnoacoustics.com Broadweigh 01395 232020 | www.broadweigh.com | marketing@broadweigh.com Charcoalblue LLP 020 7298 0000 | www.charcoalblue.com | studio@charcoalblue.com Collaborative Creations 020 7886 8545 | www.collaborativecreations.co.uk | hello@creativebd.co.uk Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd 0844 482 5138 | www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk Flint Hire & Supply Ltd 020 7703 9786 | www.flints.co.uk | sales@flints.co.uk Hawthorn 01664 821 140 | www.hawthorn.biz | hello@hawthorn.biz HQ Theatres and Hospitality 020 7406 1740 | www.hqtheatres.com | info@hqtheatres.com J&C Joel Ltd 01422 833 835 | www.jcjoel.com | sales@jcjoel.com LW Theatres 020 7557 7300 | www.lwtheatres.co.uk | customer.relations@lwtheatres.co.uk National Theatre 020 7452 3333 | www.nationaltheatre.org.uk | Nimax Theatres Ltd 020 7395 0780 | www.nimaxtheatres.com | general@nimaxtheatres.com GOLD ISG MEMBERS ORIGINAL Production Resource Group UK Ltd 0345 470 6400 | www.prg.com/uk | marketinguk@prg.com PLATINUM ISG MEMBERS TAIT International 020 8208 6000 | www.taittowers.com | London@taittowers.com Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd 0207 534 6100 | www.atg.co.uk ETC Ltd 020 8896 1000 | www.etcconnect.com | uk@etcconnect.com3LR Lighting Ltd 0117 325 9098 | www.3lrlighting.com | sales@3lrlighting.com 8Build 0207 710 4488 | www.8build.co.uk | info@8build.co.uk Absolute Motion Control Ltd www.absolutemotioncontrol.com | info@absolutemotioncontrol.com Ambersphere Solutions Ltd 0208 992 6369 | www.ambersphere.co.uk | sales@ambersphere.co.uk Arup 020 7636 1531 | www.arup.com/venues | artsandculture@arup.com Autograph Sales & Installations 020 7281 7574 | www.autographsales.co.uk | sales@autograph.co.uk Bennetts 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.uk Chauvet Europe Ltd 01773 511 115 | www.chauvetprofessional.eu | uksales@chauvetlighting.com City Theatrical Ltd 020 8949 5051 | www.citytheatrical.com | London@citytheatrical.com Clear-Com 001 510 337 6600 | www.clearcom.com | salessupportemea@clearcom.com Doughty Engineering Ltd 07811 392 270 | www.doughty-engineering.co.uk | sarah@sprandcomms.com Drapemakers 01332 371 710 | www.drapemakers.com | drapes@designservices.co.uk EM Acoustics 01483 266 520 | www.emacoustics.co.uk | info@emacoustics.co.uk Gerriets GB Ltd 020 7639 7704 | www.gerriets.co.uk | info@gerriets.co.uk Harlequin Floors 01892 514 888 | www.harlequinfloors.com | enquiries@harlequinfloors.com Kinesys 020 8481 9850 | www.kinesys.com | sales@kinesys.com Le Mark Group 01480 494 540 | www.lemark.co.uk | info@lemark.co.uk LSI Projects 01483 764 646 I www.lsiprojects.com | info@lsiprojects.com NODA 01733 374 790 | www.noda.org.uk | info@noda.org.uk Preevue 020 7078 8892 | www.preevue.com | info@preevue.com Push The Button Ltd 0117 370 2626 | www.PTB.co.uk | hello@PTB.co.uk Sennheiser UK 01628 402 200 | www.sennheiser.com/mics | info@sennheiser.com Serapid Ltd 01359 233 335 | www.serapid.com | info-uk@serapid.com SES (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.com Skelly & Couch Ltd 020 7424 7770 | www.skellyandcouch.com | admin@skellyandcouch.com Solutions on Stage 0117 244 8625 | www.solutionsonstage.co.uk | enquiries@solutionsonstage.co.uk Stage Right Theatre Consultants Ltd 01386 313 169 | www.srtcltd.co.uk | julia.redfern@srtcltd.co.uk Theatre Projects Consultants Ltd 020 7482 4224 | www.theatreprojects.com | uk@theatreprojects.com The Fire Surgery Ltd 020 7921 0220 | www.thefiresurgery.com | andrew.nicholson@thefiresurgery.com The Powerdrive Drum Co. Ltd 01525 370 292 | www.mypowerdrive.com | info@mypowerdrive.com Total Solutions Group 0121 772 5234 | www.trussing.com | info@trussing.com Trafalgar Entertainment Group 020 7321 5400 | www.trafalgarentertainment.com | trafalgarmanagement@ trafalgarentertainment.com Triple E Ltd 01959 570 333 | www.triplee.ltd | info@triplee.ltd Vari-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 Wonder Works Limited 020 8819 9040 | www.wonder.co.uk | info@wonder.co.uk SILVER ISG MEMBERS ORIGINAL10K 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 A.C. Entertainment Technologies 01494 446 000 | www.ac-et.com | sales@ac-et.com AECOM 020 7061 7000 | www.aecom.com | John.burgess@aecom.com Aedas Arts Team 020 7480 1500 | www.aedas.com/aedasartsteam | artsteam@aedas.com Anderson Bradshaw Ltd 07544 095620 | michael@abltd.org Anystage Productions Ltd 07712 655 481 | www.anystage.co.uk | paul@anystage.co.uk Artistic Licence Engineering Ltd 020 8863 4515 | www.artisticlicence.com | sales@artisticlicence.com Audio Light Systems Ltd 0800 043 4600 | www.audiolightsystems.com | enquiry@audiolightsystems.com Avison Young 020 7911 2265 | www.avisonyoung.co.uk | mike.cook@avisonyoung.com AVW Controls Ltd 01379 898 340 | www.avw.co.uk | info@avw.co.uk Black Cat Music & Acoustics 01892 619 719 | www.blackcatmusic.co.uk | sales@blackcatmusic.co.uk Blue Chilli Flying 01234 780 180 | www.bluechilliflying.com | info@bluechilliflying.com BuroHappold Engineering 01225 320 600 | www.burohappold.com | jennifer.phillips@BuroHappold.com Burrell Foley Fischer LLP 020 7620 6114 | www.bff-architects.com | mail@bff-architects.co.uk Camstage 01727 830 151| www.camstage.com | sales-team@camstage.com Carr & Angier 01225 446 664 | www.carrandangier.co.uk | info@carrandangier.co.uk Central Theatre Supplies 0121 778 6400 | www.centraltheatresupplies.co.uk | enquiries@centraltheatresupplies.co.uk Clark Door Ltd 01228 522 321 | www.clarkdoor.com | sales@clarkdoor.com Conisbee 020 7700 6666 | www.conisbee.co.uk | design@conisbee.co.uk CWS Lifting and Safety Ltd 0117 941 5306 | www.cwslifting.co.uk | sales@cwslifting.co.uk d&b audiotechnik GB Ltd 01453 835 884 | www.dbaudio.com | info.gb@dbaudio.com Drama By Design 0845 644 3846 | www.dramabydesign.com | info@dramabydesign.com Durham Scenic Workshops 0191 371 9238 | www.durhamscenicworkshops.co.uk | info@durhamscenicworkshops.co.uk Enlightened 01179 727 123 | www.enlx.co.uk | info@enlx.co.uk Equals 020 7580 3360 | www.equalsconsulting.com | mail@equalsconsulting.com Finch Consulting (Health & Safety) 07527 002 689 | www.finch-consulting.com | Melvin.Sandell@finch-consulting.com Flashlight Ltd 01706 625 866 | www.flash-light.co.uk | sales@flash-light.co.uk Foster Wilson Size 020 7354 1315 | www.fosterwilsonsize.com | mail@fosterwilsonsize.com Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design 020 8671 2223 | www.gsacoustics.org | info@gsacoustics.org Glantre Engineering Ltd 0118 964 0000 | www.glantre.com | info@glantre.com GoboPlus 020 3603 1335 | www.goboplus.com | enquiries@goboplus.com Gort Services 01706 849 295 | www.gorts.co.uk | sales@gorts.co.uk Harkness Screens (UK) Ltd 01438 725 200 | www.harkness-screens.com | sales@harkness-screens.com Harper Tackley Consultants 07976 279 701 | www.harpertackley.com | simon@harpertackley.com Haworth Tompkins 020 7250 3225 | www.haworthtompkins.com | info@haworthtompkins.com Hayles and Howe Ltd 0117 972 7200 | www.haylesandhowe.co.uk | info@haylesandhowe.co.uk Henley Theatre Services 01491 412347 | www.henleytheatreservices.com | office@henleytheatre.com Highlite International BV 0031 45 566 7700 | www.highlite.com | info@highlite.com HOAC Schweisstechnik GmbH +49 (0) 2841 90828-0 | www.hoac.com | info@hoac.com Hoist UK 0151 334 7682 | www.hoistuk.com | info@hoistuk.com Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd 01273 400 670 | www.helluk.com | info@helluk.com Illuminate Design 01206 709 694 | www.illuminatedesign.co.uk | info@illuminatedesign.co.uk John Young Creative Industries 01252 711816 | www.jyci.co.uk | johnyoung@jyci.co.uk JSN Production Services Ltd 079 6183 9411 | www.facebook.com/jsnproductionserviceltd | jsnproductionservices@gmail.com Just Rigging & Inspections Ltd 01244 678 324 | www.just-rigging.com | enquiries@just-rigging.com Levitt Bernstein 020 7275 7676 I www.levittbernstein.co.uk | hello@levittbernstein.co.uk Locker and Riley Fibrous Plastering Ltd 01245 322 022 | www.lockerandriley.com | enquiries@lockerandriley.com Mayr Transmissions Ltd 01535 663 900 | www.mayr.com | sales@mayr.co.uk MDG FOG UK 01604 741 000 | www.mdgfoguk.com contact@mdgfoguk.com Multistage International Ltd 01284 750 474 | www.multistage.co.uk | info@multistage.co.uk Mushroom Lighting 01604 790 900 | www.mushroomlighting.com | info@mushroomlighting.com Northern Light 0131 622 9100 | www.northernlight.co.uk | info@northernlight.co.uk Otago Blue Ltd 01837 54059 | www.otagoblue.co.uk | info@otagoblue.co.uk Plann Ltd 020 3846 9230 | www.plann.co | Julia@plann.co Press Red Rentals Ltd 01952 587 049 | www.pressred.biz | rentals@pressred.biz Production Safety Ltd 07973 159 402 | www.productionsafety.co.uk | mail@productionsafety.co.uk Pulse Consult 0121 389 8658 | www.pulseconsult.co.uk | enquiries@pulseconsult.co.uk RB Health and Safety Solutions Ltd 0845 257 1489 | www.rbhealthandsafety.co.uk | admin@rbhealthandsafety.co.uk Rigging Services Direct Ltd 0845 555 6575 | www.riggingservices.co.uk | info@riggingservices.co.uk Rigging Team Ltd 020 3126 4040 | www.riggingteam.com | office@riggingteam.com Robolights Ltd 01392 823 040 | www.robolights.com | sales@robolights.com Rope Assemblies Ltd 01777 700714 | www.ropeassemblies.co.uk | sales@ropeassemblies.co.uk Sansei Technologies Inc. 0081 6 6393 5621 | www.sansei-technologies.com/eng | www.sansei-technologies.com/eng/contact Slingco Ltd 01706 855 558 | www.thecablenet.net | sales@thecablenet.net Sound 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.net Tyrell 0207 148 6200 | www.tyrellcct.com | sales@tyrell.com Vectorworks Inc 01635 580318 | www.vectorworks.net/en-GB | uksales@vectorworks.net We are Blueshed 01353 723750 | www.weareblueshed.co.uk | hire@weareblueshed.co.uk XM Automation Ltd +44 7956 987 463 | www.xmautomation.co.uk | mark.ager@xmautomation.co.uk Zero 88 01923 495495 | www.zero88.com | enquiries@zero88.com BRONZE ISG MEMBERS COLLECTIVE STRENGTH Industry Supporters’ Group Association of British Theatre Technicians 55 Farringdon Road, London EC1M 3JB Tel: 020 7242 9200 Email: office@abtt.org.uk Website: www.abtt.org.uk Registered Charity 282069 David Evans Co-Chair COUNCIL Louise Birchall Oliver Brown Mig Burgess Co-Chair Joshua Burnside Co-opted Alexander Cann Andy Franks Matthew Freeman Co-opted Peter Maccoy Paul Moore Jessica Nicholls Co-opted Caroline Rouse Nikki Scott Vice Chair Emma Wilson Anton Woodward EX OFFICIO MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Michael Anderson Chairman, Safety Committee Sebastian Barnes Chairman, Training & Education Comm. Dr Henry Bell Chair, Stephen Joseph Committee Paul Durose Chair, School Theatre Support Group Tim Foster Chairman, Theatre Design Comm. Roger Fox Chairman Historical Research Comm. Matthew Jones Honorary Secretary Anette Ollerearnshaw Chair, Wigs, Hair & Make-up Comm. Nick Page Chair, Automation Comm. Tamykha Patterson UK Theatre & Live Events Apprenticeship Network Founder Jean Shevelan Chairman, NorthNet – Comm. Loretta Tomasi Honorary Treasurer Mark White Chairman, Communications and Publications Committee STAFF Robin Townley Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elysia Moore Association Co-ordinator Stuart Roberts Financial Controller CONSULTANT Geoffrey Joyce ABTT Training Co-ordinator Sightline CONTENTS vol. 44 no. 4 Editorial 7 Theatres Trust Conference: Making Theatre Sustainable 8 Painting the New Safety Curtain for The Theatre Royal Drury Lane 12 Michael Hall 14 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry 15 Book Review – Peter Moro and Partners 20 Polka Theatre, London 21 Training and Education in the Performing Arts – Sustainability in Wigs, Hair & Make-up for Performance 26 ABTT Stephen Joseph Award 2021 31 ABTT Awards 32 An Inspector Calls 34 Book Review – Lighting for Televised Live Events 36 Young Associates 37 Technical Standards 39 Members News 42 Safety Matters 43 Editor Rebecca Morland Publisher John Offord Entertainment Technology Press Ltd The Studio, High Green, Great Shelford Cambridge, Cambs CB22 5EG Tel: 01223 550805 Fax: 01223 550806 Advertising enquiries should be sent to john@etnow.com Sightline 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: Polka Theatre, London. Photo: Hufton + CrowSUPPLIER OF LED SOLUTIONS FOR LARGE VOLUME FILM PRODUCTION VIDEOSCREENSERVICES.COM T: +44 (0)7795 505020 E: ADRIAN@VIDEOSCREENSERVICES.COMSightline Winter 2021 7 Editorial I’m writing this editorial as COP26 comes to an end, so the climate emergency is very much in the forefront of my mind. Like many, I’ve been quite frustrated by grand declarations which don’t necessarily tie in with relevant, practical ways of making change. As a result, I was delighted to hear that the Theatre Green Book was on its way – three volumes packed with practical ways of making a difference within the theatre industry. Spearheaded by ABTT and the Theatres Trust, and contributed to by many individuals and companies, all of whom have given up masses of their time, the Theatre Green Book was the centre of the Theatres Trust’s Conference: Making Theatre Sustainable in early November. I have to declare an interest at this point, in that I worked on the Conference. Sadly, this meant that I actually wasn’t able to see many of the sessions – I was mainly to be found hurtling around the Lyric Hammersmith trying to identify masked speakers in a packed foyer – but several colleagues have reported back on the highlights of what seemed to be a positive and inspiring day. Further information on the Green Book can be found here – https:// theatregreenbook.com/ – it is very much a work in progress, as the Conference made clear. Anette Ollerearnshaw has also written on sustainability in Wigs, Hair & Makeup for performance (otherwise known as WHAM) in the latest of her pieces on Training and Education in the Performing Arts. I was very sorry to hear a few weeks ago that Michael Hall had died. Michael had contributed several articles to Sightline in recent years, and he was always a joy to deal with. My most recent contact with him was when he’d popped in the post a beautifully produced Supplement to his Special Theatre Years book [reviewed in Summer Sightline] “in case you ever need to search for Heritage of Lighting Design” – which was a really kind thought of his, and entirely unprompted! We had agreed to run his article on the restoration of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane backcloth in this edition of Sightline, and I’m delighted to be able to include it. I’m only sorry that it will be the last piece of his that we’ll feature. We report back on two contrasting theatre renovations in this edition. Margaret Shewring has had a long involvement with Warwick Arts Centre, and reports back on its major renovation – which will hopefully ensure that this major Arts Centre remains relevant for many years to come. Polka Theatre is one of the country’s few specialist theatres for children – a fact that was central to its just-completed re-development. As well as asking Tim Foster, the architect behind the scheme, to write on the project, I asked a family to review their recent visit, and I am very grateful to Ben, Catherine and Theo for taking the time to do so! I’d love to be able to include other user feedback as part of more comprehensive reports in future editions of Sightline – so if you’re seeing a show in a newly renovated/built theatre in future, and would like to report back, please get in touch. As the theatre industry starts to get back on its feet, Alan Lynagh’s occasional column “An Inspector Calls” can again focus on some of the many licensing issues he encounters in the West End. I particularly enjoyed reading about some of the implications of re-configuring the Playhouse Theatre. Another sign of recovery was, of course, the ABTT/PLASA show back in September. As part of the event, the ABTT Awards for Technician of the Year and Emerging Excellence were awarded to Sorcha Steele and Jesse Caie respectively and the ABTT Stephen Joseph Award to Persis Jadé Maravala. Congratulations to them all, and I hope you find their achievements as inspiring as I did! To those of you who I haven’t run into at the ABTT Christmas Party – back in real life after last year’s digital event – I’d like to wish you a Happy Christmas, and a wonderful New Year! Rebecca Morland Editor sightline@abtt.org.uk8 Sightline Winter 2021 Theatres Trust Conference 21: Making Theatre Sustainable This Conference was centred around the Theatre Green Book – a massive collaborative undertaking, and one which was described in the final session as “a gift to our industry”. This sentiment and enthusiasm for the Theatre Green Book was clear from the very first session of the day “Green Renewal – Introducing the Theatre Green Book”, and was amplified by three sessions, one for each volume of the Green Book. Other sessions included “Historic and Green” addressing the challenges facing historic theatres. Green Renewal set the scene for the day with Lisa Burger (Executive Director and Co- Chief Executive, National Theatre), describing the book as “a chance to reset how we work as a sector”. Reflecting on the particular effect the pandemic has had on our industry and the extraordinary efforts made by so many to restart since July 2020, she asked how we can set aside the concerns of the everyday and use the opportunity we now have for a larger reset. Theatre has the power to improve life chances and we can extend our thinking about sustainability, to all communities and enable us to improve life chances by asking even larger questions about how to make theatre sustainable, inclusive, fair, equitable and just. Green Productions Chaired by Paul Handley (Production and Technical Director, National Theatre) this session asked how the Theatre Green Book can support theatre makers to maximise the opportunities for making productions more sustainable. The large panel included producers, directors, and production and technical directors from across the UK, all of whom had practical experience of delivering productions using The Green Book. They all agreed that the arrival of the first volume of the Theatre Green Book had been a hugely galvanising experience. The panel agreed that every improvement which The Green Book encourages is a positive step forward and that there will be challenges as everyone learns to use the tool-kit. They all agreed that the use of the Green Book for a production should be agreed at the very beginning of the process and that its use should be written in to all permanent and freelance contracts including for Directors and Designers. This will ensure that the Green Book is part of all conversations and everyone is bought in. The overall feeling was that this had been a hugely galvanising experience, where teamwork and constant collaboration was required to be adaptable. It is accessible for everyone and encourages us to plan ahead, to share with one another and to avoid using certain materials. Of course some sustainable materials are going to be more expensive, planning time is a big obstacle and the buying of the last minute bits that are needed out of the blue can be a sustainability nightmare. Sustainable Buildings Claire Appleby (Architecture Adviser at the Theatres Trust) ably led us through a quick summary of the freshly published volume 2 of the Theatre Green Book – Sustainable Buildings. Full of expert advice, guiding principles and tools, this new volume will aid theatre buildings in reaching a basic sustainability plan and timeline leading to a net-zero building by the end of any capital works. The call to arms of the day is that we have to start somewhere and that there are Easy Wins to be found in every building. This is underpinned by an online tool developed in association with Buro Happold – The Sustainable Buildings ‘Home Survey Kit’ which we were led through with a video demonstrating its simplicity to use and make a start with our own buildings. The session then progressed to presentations of 4 case studies. The Mercury Theatre in Colchester has just completed a £11.3M refurbishment with sustainable decisions at the core of the brief. Most noticeable of the successes of the project are the partnership working with the local authority and the spending of 89% of the budget in North Nikki Scott Margaret Shewring Ben Stephen Lisa BurgerNext >