Spring 2025 Sightline Journal of Theatre Technology and Design The Interview – Kat Ellis and Peter Dean Make a Difference Conference BEAM Hertford The Invisible Art of Prop Making Set Electrics – An Insight Circular Economy and Ethical Citizenship within the workplace Remembering Peter RobertsISG member 2025 SILVER ISG member 2025 BRONZE ISG member 2025 GOLD PLATINUM ISG member 2025 Orbital Sound 020 7501 6868 | orbitalsound.com | information@orbitalsound.com Ornate Plaster (London) Ltd 01252 718 669 | ornateplasterlondon.com | info@ornateplasterlondon.com Preevue 020 7078 8892 | preevue.com | info@preevue.com Production Resource Group UK Ltd 0345 470 6400 | prg.com/uk | ukinfo@prg.com ROBE 01604 741000 | www.robe.cz | infouk@robeuk.com Society of London Theatre 020 7557 6700 | solt.co.uk | enquiries@soltukt.co.uk Steeldeck Industries Ltd 020 8692 9721 | steeldeckUK.com | sales@steeldeck.co.uk Theatreplan 020 7841 0440 | theatreplan.com | info@theatreplan.com Theatres Trust 020 7836 8591 | theatrestrust.org.uk | info@theatrestrust.org.uk Torpedo Factory Group 01706 849 469 | tfg.com | sales@tfg.com Triple E Ltd 01959 570 333 | triplee.ltd | info@triplee.ltd UK Theatre 020 7557 6700 | uktheatre.org | ukt@soltukt.co.uk Unusual Rigging Ltd 01604 830 083 | unusual.co.uk | info@unusual.co.uk West End Rigging Ltd 01223 901169 | howard.dandy@westendrigging.com Aluminium Access Products Ltd 01942 514 318 | tallescope.co.uk | info@tallescope.co.uk Ayrton Digital Lighting 01842 764 631 | ayrton.eu | aryton.eu/about-us/#contact Cameron Mackintosh Ltd 020 7637 8866 | cameronmackintosh.com | info@camack.co.uk Charcoalblue LLP 020 7298 0000 | charcoalblue.com | studio@charcoalblue.com Creative Spark 01342 457220 | creative-spark.co.uk | venuesupport@creative-spark.co.uk Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd 0844 482 5138 | delfontmackintosh.co.uk Disney Cruise Line - TAEEL 0208 458 4212 | excellententertainment.biz | theagency@excellententertainment.biz Encore 01664 821 111 | encore-emea.com | info-uk@encoreglobal.com Ferco Seating Systems Ltd 01743 761244 | www.fercoseating.com | jane.shepherd@fercoseating.co.uk Flint Hire & Supply Ltd 020 7703 9786 | flints.co.uk | sales@flints.co.uk Harlequin Floors 01892 514 888 | harlequinfloors.com | enquiries@harlequinfloors.com J&C Joel Ltd 01422 833 835 | jcjoel.com | sales@jcjoel.com LW Theatres 020 7557 7300 | lwtheatres.co.uk | customer.relations@lwtheatres.co.uk National Theatre 020 7452 3333 | nationaltheatre.org.uk | Nimax Theatres Ltd 020 7395 0780 | nimaxtheatres.com | general@nimaxtheatres.com ORIGINAL PLATINUM ISG MEMBERS TAIT International 020 8208 6000 | taittowers.com | London@taittowers.com ATG Entertainment 0207 534 6100 | atgentertainment.com ETC Ltd 020 8896 1000 | etcconnect.com | uk@etcconnect.com GOLD ISG MEMBERS West End Rigging Ltd White Light Ltd 020 8254 4800 | info@whitelight.ltd.uk | whitelight.ltd.ukORIGINAL Arup 020 7636 1531 | arup.com/venues | artsandculture@arup.com Bennetts Associates 020 7520 3300 | bennettsassociates.com | mail@bennettsassociates.com Centre Stage Engineering Ltd 0844 499 6250 | centre-stage.co.uk | info@centre-stage.co.uk Chauvet Europe Ltd 01773 511 115 | chauvetprofessional.eu | uksales@chauvetlighting.com City Theatrical Ltd 020 8949 5051 | citytheatrical.com | London@citytheatrical.com Clear-Com 001 510 337 6600 | clearcom.com | salessupportemea@clearcom.com Doughty Engineering Ltd 07811 392 270 | doughty-engineering.co.uk | sarah@sprandcomms.com Drapemakers 01332 371 710 | drapemakers.com | drapes@designservices.co.uk EM Acoustics 01483 266 520 | emacoustics.co.uk | info@emacoustics.co.uk igus (UK) Ltd 01604 677204 | www.igus.co.uk | hdurrant@igus.co.uk Kinesys 020 8481 9850 | kinesys.com | sales@kinesys.com Le Mark Group 01480 494 540 | lemark.co.uk | info@lemark.co.uk LSI Projects 01483 764 646 I lsiprojects.com | info@lsiprojects.com MGC Entertainment 01473 466300 | mgc-lighting.com | uksales@mgc-lighting.com NODA 01733 374 790 | noda.org.uk | info@noda.org.uk Push The Button Ltd 0117 370 2626 | PTB.co.uk | hello@PTB.co.uk Robolights Ltd 01392 823 040 | robolights.com | sales@robolights.com Serapid Ltd 01359 233 335 | serapid.com | info-uk@serapid.com SES (Entertainment Services) Ltd 01753 585 050 | site-electrics.co.uk | sales@site-electrics.co.uk Shure UK 01992 703058 | shure.com/en-GB/support | info@shure.com Skelly & Couch Ltd 020 7424 7770 | skellyandcouch.com | admin@skellyandcouch.com Smartrad Creative Limited 07711 469787 | www.smartrad.org | smartradcreativeprojects@gmail.com Solutions on Stage 0117 244 8625 | solutionsonstage.co.uk | enquiries@solutionsonstage.co.uk Stage Right Theatre Consultants Ltd 01386 313 169 | srtcltd.co.uk | julia.redfern@srtcltd.co.uk Stage Sound Services Ltd 029 2061 3577 | stagesoundservices.co.uk | hires@stagesoundservices.co.uk Theatre Projects Consultants Ltd 020 7482 4224 | theatreprojects.com | uk@theatreprojects.com The Fire Surgery Ltd 020 7921 0220 | thefiresurgery.com | andrew.nicholson@thefiresurgery.com The Powerdrive Drum Co. Ltd 01525 370 292 | mypowerdrive.com | info@mypowerdrive.com The Stage 020 7403 1818 | thestage.co.uk | reception@thestage.co.uk Total Solutions Group 0121 772 5234 | trussing.com | info@trussing.com Trafalgar Entertainment Group 020 7321 5400 | trafalgarentertainment.com | trafalgarmanagement@trafalgarentertainment.com Voluntary Arts 02920 395 395 | voluntaryarts.org | info@voluntaryarts.org Wonder Works Limited 020 8819 9040 | wonder.co.uk | info@wonder.co.uk SILVER ISG MEMBERS3LR Lighting Ltd 0117 325 9098 | 3lrlighting.com | sales@3lrlighting.com 10K Used Gear Limited 020 8308 9566 | 10Kused.com | info@10Kused.com AAC Technical Services Ltd 01842 764 631 | aactech.co.uk | aactheatresystems.co.uk/contact A.C. Entertainment Technologies 01494 446 000 | ac-et.com | sales@ac-et.com Ambersphere Solutions Ltd 0208 992 6369 | ambersphere.co.uk | sales@ambersphere.co.uk Anderson Bradshaw Ltd 07544 095620 | michael@abltd.org Artisan PlasterCraft 01959 571 135 | artisanplastercraft.com | info@artisanplastercraft.com Audio Light Systems Ltd 0800 043 4600 | audiolightsystems.com | enquiry@audiolightsystems.com AUDIOTEK 0203 006 2745 | audiotek.com | info@audiotek.com AVW Controls Ltd 01379 898 340 | www.avw.co.uk | sales@avw.co.uk BuroHappold Engineering 01225 320 600 | burohappold.com | jennifer.phillips@BuroHappold.com Camstage 01727 830 151| camstage.com | sales-team@camstage.com Central Theatre Supplies 0121 778 6400 | centraltheatresupplies.co.uk | enquiries@centraltheatresupplies.co.uk Clark Door Ltd 01228 522 321 | clarkdoor.com | sales@clarkdoor.com Conisbee 020 7700 6666 | conisbee.co.uk | design@conisbee.co.uk CWS Lifting and Safety Ltd 0117 941 5306 | cwslifting.co.uk | sales@cwslifting.co.uk d&b audiotechnik GB Ltd 01453 835 884 | dbaudio.com | info.gb@dbaudio.com Enlightened 01179 727 123 | enlx.co.uk | info@enlx.co.uk Equals 020 7580 3360 | equalsconsulting.com | mail@equalsconsulting.com Figueras Seating Europe SL +34 93 844 50 50 | www.figueras.com | erovira@figueras.com Flashlight Ltd 01706 625 866 | flash-light.co.uk | sales@flash-light.co.uk Foster Wilson Size 020 7354 1315 | fosterwilsonsize.com | mail@fosterwilsonsize.com Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design 020 8671 2223 | gsacoustics.org | info@gsacoustics.org Glantre Engineering Ltd 0118 964 0000 | glantre.com | info@glantre.com GL Events UK 01332 408 253 | www.glevents.co.uk | www.glevents.co.uk/contact-us Globestock Ltd 01691 654 966 | globestock.co.uk | info@globestock.co.uk GoboPlus 020 3603 1335 | goboplus.com | enquiries@goboplus.com Harper Tackley Consultants 07976 279 701 | harpertackley.com | simon@harpertackley.com Haworth Tompkins 020 7250 3225 | haworthtompkins.com | info@haworthtompkins.com Hayles and Howe Ltd 0117 972 7200 | haylesandhowe.co.uk | info@haylesandhowe.co.uk Henley Theatre Services 01491 412347 | henleytheatreservices.com | office@henleytheatre.com Hoist UK 0151 334 7682 | hoistuk.com | info@hoistuk.com Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd 01273 400 670 | helluk.com | info@helluk.com Illuminate Design 01206 709 694 | illuminatedesign.co.uk | info@illuminatedesign.co.uk Infinity Technical & Production Services Ltd 0330 128 1525 | infinity-technical.co.uk | info@infinity-technical.co.uk IPS 01908 657950 | www.ips.co.uk | enquiries@ips.co.uk John Young Creative Industries 01252 711816 | jyci.co.uk | johnyoung@jyci.co.uk Lamp & Pencil Ltd 01279 902819 | lampandpencil.com | lampandpencil.com/contact/ Locker and Riley Fibrous Plastering Ltd 01245 322 022 | lockerandriley.com | enquiries@lockerandriley.com Mayr Transmissions Ltd 01535 663 900 | mayr.com | sales@mayr.co.uk MDG FOG UK 01604 741 000 | mdgfoguk.com contact@mdgfoguk.com MI Workshops Ltd 01789330244 | miworkshops.co.uk | info@miworkshops.co.uk Mushroom Lighting 01604 790 900 | mushroomlighting.com | info@mushroomlighting.com Niche Productions nicheproductions.co.uk | nicheproductions.co.uk/contact Northern Light 0131 622 9100 | northernlight.co.uk | info@northernlight.co.uk Plann Ltd 020 3846 9230 | plann.co | Julia@plann.co Production Safety Ltd 973 159 402 | productionsafety.co.uk | mail@productionsafety.co.uk Prop Hire Scotland 0141 266 0301 | prophirescotland.co.uk | info@prophirescotland.co.uk Punchdrunk Global Ltd +44 208 191 01900 | punchdrunk.com | info@punchdrunk.com RB Health and Safety Solutions Ltd 0845 257 1489 | rbhealthandsafety.co.uk | admin@rbhealthandsafety.co.uk Rigging Services Direct Ltd 0845 555 6575 | riggingservices.co.uk | info@riggingservices.co.uk Rigging Team Ltd 020 3126 4040 | riggingteam.com | office@riggingteam.com Ritchie Studio Ltd 020 7338 1100 | www.ritchie.studio | mail@ritchie.studio RNSS Ltd 020 7593 0011 | rnss.net | office@rnss.net Rope Assemblies Ltd 01777 700714 | ropeassemblies.co.uk | sales@ropeassemblies.co.uk Spirolux Limited 01225873804 | spirolux.co.uk/about-us | info@spirolux.co.uk Stage Electrics 03330 142 102 | stage-electrics.co.uk | sales@stage-electrics.co.uk TAG Live +44 (01582) 738 400 | tag.live | hello@tag.live Theatretech 01935 882 828 | theatretech.net | info@theatretech.net Woo Architects 020 39038101 | wooarchitects.com | info@wooarchitects.com Yesplan UK Ltd +44 (0) 7800 854404 | yesplan.be/en | info@yesplan.co.uk BRONZE ISG MEMBERSAssociation of British Theatre Technicians 22 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0QL Tel: 020 7242 9200 Email: office@abtt.org.uk Website: www.abtt.org.uk Registered Charity 282069 COUNCIL Mig Burgess Walsh Co-Chair Oliver Brown Vice Chair Joshua Burnside Co-opted Alexander Cann Mark Dakin Jack Davies Co-opted David Evans Co-Chair Gareth Evans Co-opted Paul Moore Co-opted Jessica Nicholls Co-opted Anette Ollerearnshaw Nikki Scott Co-opted Suzy Somerville Matthew Smethurst-Evans Ben Stephen Emma Wilson Anton Woodward EX OFFICIO MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Michael AndersonChair, Safety Committee Sebastian Barnes Chair, Training & Education Committee Jack Davies Chair, ABTT Apprenticeship Network Roger Fox Chair, Historical Research Committee Simon Harper Chair, Theatre Design Committee Robert Millington Chair, Stephen Joseph Committee Matthew Jones Honorary Secretary Rhian Jones Chair, ABTT Cymru Committee Danny Lennon Chair, Sustainability Committee Peter Maccoy Chair, OISTAT Committee Robert Millington Chair, Stephen Joseph Committee Paul MooreChair, Northnet Committee Anette Ollerearnshaw Chair, Wigs, Hair and Make-up Committee Nick Page Chair, Automation Committee Dan Shelley Chair, Reset Better Committee Ben Stephen Chair, Communications and Publications Committee Loretta Tomasi Honorary Treasurer Caroline TownsendChair, CITEA Committee CONSULTANT Louise Birchall ABTT Training Co-ordinator Sightline CONTENTS vol. 48 no. 1 Theatre Green Book Page 8 The PiPA Page 10 Introducing the School Theatre Support Committee11 An Inspector Calls 12 BEAM Hertford16 Set Electrics – An Illuminating Start18 The Interview – Kat Ellis and Peter Dean22 The Circular Economy and Ethical Citizenship: within the workplace24 The Invisible Art of Prop Making 28 Set-Exchange 31 Theatre Open Days 32 Make a Difference Conference 34 Book Review – Collected light – Volume 3 – Women in Entertainment Lighting35 Book Review – Charcoalblue: Designing for Performance 36 Remembering Peter Roberts37 Tech Standards 39 Members News 42 Safety Matters 43 Editor David Evans PublisherET Press Ltd The Studio, High Green, Great Shelford Cambridge, Cambs CB22 5EG Tel: 01223 550805 Fax: 01223 550806 Advertising enquiries should be sent to editor@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: BEAM Hertford photo: Hufton + Crow /GLP.German.Light.Products /GermanLightProducts glp.de Fantastic colours thanks to RGBL and iQ.Gamut technologySightline Spring 2025 7 Editorial Welcome to the Spring Edition of Sightline. Spring always brings optimism, even on the most urban of streets nature can be seen emerging, buds on trees, leaves uncurling. Producers unleash long planned tours, rehearsals that have started in the dark and finished in the dark are realised on stage. The post-Christmas malaise is shaken off as the last of the panto confetti flutters to the stage and long planned maintenance is completed ready for the challenges of the year ahead. I find this optimism rather compromised when I read and hear about large corporations and governments failing to meet, cutting back, or simply ignoring their carbon reduction commitments. Only a year ago it seemed that we could all see the urgency of the climate crisis, but now other priorities are asserting themselves, and tacit permission is being granted to pursue growth, profit and dominance. In this atmosphere it is a relief that so many people in this industry are working responsibly, are prioritising the environment, circularity and welfare. In our regular Theatre Green Book page Laura Sedgwick introduces us to the Costume Tool kit, one of the numerous helpful downloads from the Theatre Green Book website. Furthermore, Laura talks about the Royal Danish Theatre’s solution to having multiple copies of costumes for the same character, the idea is genius because it is so obvious. Peter Harrison’s article on the Set-Exchange website reminds us that some people have been working towards more sustainable theatre for some time, and this circular economy website has helped and continues to help companies and shows source and share unwanted sets, props etc. Tom Harper, MD of Unusual Rigging has written a fascinating piece on Circular Economy and Ethical Citizenship and how it underlies that company’s practices and was the philosophical framework for their new building, Unusual Rigging HQ. This new build is entirely fit for purpose, very beautiful and was built using circular principles and with the welfare and needs of its users at its heart. Here is proof that a commercial company can be industry leading in its field and still be driven by ethical decision making. After the last edition’s exploration of costume hire this edition hears about two other essential disciplines. Clara Clark writes about the challenges, joys, late nights and absurdities of prop making in “The Invisible art of prop making.” Ben Stephen representing their electrical companions in Set Electrics gives us “Set Electrics, an Illuminating Start” this role, aside from the fact that it is also hard to explain to a non- theatrical, is similarly demanding creating extraordinary items that outside a theatrical context make no sense, but this time with some complex maths. We have two book reviews and a wonderful interview with Kat Ellis and Peter Dean interviewing each other, providing an insight into how the industry evolves, changes and develops while still depending on the knowledge, skills and commitment of dedicated individuals. Katy Marks from Citizens Design Bureau talks us through their design for the interior of BEAM Hertford, a new multipurpose venue that has risen phoenix like from what was Hertford Theatre. By way of an update on the last edition’s article about the Virtual Ideas Platform, https://abttvip.com Flints have started selling the Wire Saver Grummet that Steve Macluskie submitted to the platform and they are developing his and Toby Class’ VIP award winning “Idea of the Year” – the Beam Strap, which should be entering their catalogue soon. Martyn’s Law is currently making its way through parliament and is expected to go into Law soon. This “aims to improve preparedness and protection from terrorist attacks at public venues by placing a duty on those responsible for premises and events.” Our next edition will come out just before the ABTT Theatre show, make sure that you have your tickets. Have a wonderful Spring.8 Sightline Spring 2025 Theatre Green Book Over the last few months, Theatre Green Book has been taking a particular look at costumes in dance, opera and theatre, and the considerations that go into making environmentally sustainable costume choices when producing a show. On the face of it, sourcing pre-used costumes and passing them on for a future life can seem like it should be one of the easier parts of meeting Theatre Green Book standards. Compared to set-building, technical equipment energy use and sourcing specialist props, pre-used costumes can be sourced from a large number of costume stores with period or bespoke items, and extensive charity and second-hand clothing shops online and on the high street. However, for some productions, costumes is the area of filling in the Production Calculator which poses the most difficulties. One of the key factors determining the ease of sourcing sustainable costumes is when the show is set, with contemporary and the recent past posing particular challenges. This is partly because fast fashion items are often barely durable enough to last night after night, and items worn next to the skin need to be specific for each actor, and elasticated fabrics including Lycra can be hard to source sustainably. For those interested in reading more about sustainable costumes in opera, Urs Dierker’s 2024 impact report, A NEXT STAGE 2022 project, funded by FEDORA and Opera Europa is a great read covering experimental materials, sourcing and the design process. Dierker also contributed, alongside others, to the Costume Toolkit available for free on the Theatre Green Book website. This covers costume from the design and concept stage, through technical areas of making, materials and maintenance, to end of use and evaluation. There are particular challenges for costume in the ballet and dance sector, where some productions require items like tights, tutus and pointe shoes. Dance companies are increasingly talking to suppliers about how these items could be more sustainably made, as well as designed to be dismantled and recycled more easily. Royal Danish Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater) have also made interesting changes in their costume planning and design to increase sustainability. We asked their Producer, Mikkel Rubæk, for more details: “At the Royal Danish Theatre we have a huge costume warehouse and can always find good recycled costumes there. But when a show requires the use of, for example, large quantities of blood, food on stage, vomit and the like – they must be washed every single day. And then the logistics require that there are two identical costumes for each character. Then we have to sew a copy of our recycled costume. Not particularly green… One day we got to talk about the fact that, for certain costumes – and it obviously depends on the nature of the show – it might not be so important exactly which t-shirt, hat, jeans, blazer, shirt or robe the actor is wearing in a scene. It’s more important that the costume supports the specific context in that scene. Which means that we now can find two sets in the warehouse – not exactly the same – but with the same feeling. The idea that a character could wear similar but not identical costumes for different shows is both simple and deeply radical, when it is a change to traditional practice. It’s the kind of idea at the heart of Theatre Green Book, starting and ending with the creative challenge of making outstanding theatre in new ways. Laura Sedgewick – Producer, The Theatre Green Book Far right: ©Urs Dierker_ Sustainable Costume 2023_ FEDORA_Oper Leipzig Material Stock (1)Sightline Spring 2025 9 - JUNE 202 All the latesttheatre innovations, tech and networking opportunitiesunder one roof! Only35minutesdoorto doorfromtheWestEnd! abtttheatreshow.co.uk SAVE THE DATE ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDONNext >