The use of sound effects in theatre has evolved dramatically from the early 20th century to the present day, shaping the way audiences experience live performances. What began as simple, rud… Read More

I was saddened to hear of the passing of a friend and a great audio guy, A good friend and an excellent sound engineer. I met him at high school. At the time he was playing bass guit… Read More

Developing a marketing strategy for small shows in a fringe environment to compete with larger productions that have substantial budgets can be challenging but is certainly feasible with cre… Read More

Lighting design in theatre, dance, and opera plays a crucial role in enhancing the mood, atmosphere, and storytelling of a performance. It involves the creative and technical process of usin… Read More

Richard Pilbrow, a pioneering lighting designer and theatre consultant, passed away on December 6, 2023, at the age of 90 after a brief battle with cancer. Pilbrow’s impactful career b… Read More

Theatre technicians are essential for creating the magic of live performances. They are responsible for lighting, sound, set, and other technical aspects of a show. However, as the current g… Read More

Elation Professional introduces the Proteus Hybrid MAX, a revolutionary advancement in hybrid lighting technology. It builds upon the success of the Proteus series, offering increased pow… Read More

Lighting Designers that are starting out may not know that there are potholes they can get caught in. Let this article give you a better understanding of what the world of lighting designers… Read More

Well, the Adelaide Fringe is approaching at a rapid rate. But a couple of things have come to my attention, one being venues that have no technical resources. This is a worrying trend. Surel… Read More

Tim Routledge designed a stunning light show to complement fireworks and a drone display with high-power Elation beam lights in each of the London Eye’s 32 pods London’s largest… Read More

Normally at this time of the year I am finishing the lighting designs and arranging staff for the Adelaide Fringe at one of Adelaide’s well-known theatres, the Bakehouse. Well, this ye… Read More

Well after COVID and one of the main venues I work at has been closed permanently, I fell in a sort of funk. Theatre went to the back, and I struggled with trying to get back into the stream… Read More

As of today June 09, 2022 Eventec has acquired LSW. The LSW trading name and its brands and distribution rights has been acquired by Eventec. They are currently in a transitioning phase and… Read More

Well, it seems that with COVID being around so long, that theatre has turned to streaming of their productions. People sit in their homes in their pajama’s watching the latest producti… Read More

I got up sort of early to watch the launch of the newest member of the EOS family from ETC. These new consoles are the flagship of the EOS range. The did arouse the feeling of console envy… Read More

#VAXTHENATION #VAXTHENATION IS A JOINT EFFORT BY OVER 400 OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, LEADING TOUR PROMOTERS, MUSIC FESTIVALS, VENUES, TICKETING AGENCIES, RECORD LAB… Read More

21 July 2021 – Stolen from TSA website Theatre Safe Australia (TSA) is excited to announce the addition of an advanced scenery workshop to our operation from 1 August 2021. For… Read More

How many years have mobile phones been around? How many years have we been telling audiences to either turn them off or onto silence ot of respect to others. Yet the same thing keeps happeni… Read More

As the local arts festivals get closer and companies are busy rehearsing their productions, the “would you work for free” rears its ugly head. We see this every year; the cast is… Read More

So the Adelaide Fringe next year will look a lot different. A lot fewer acts, about 800 it seems compared to the usual 1100. This could mean more audience to see them, they won’t be sp… Read More

As an audience, we sit there immersed in the show, and the sound washes over us. The audio seems so perfect we don’t really notice it, as good audio should be. Why is the audio so… Read More

In South Australia, we are seeing the return of theatre. But only the state-run theatre company at a state-funded venue. It seems no other venue is really open, and there are no stage produc… Read More

This could be very relevant to the Australian market. A lot of venues could use this devices to clean thier venues. Antari Lighting and Effects USA, best known for its extensive lines of… Read More

Feels comfortable like slippers, but also has that nice new car feel. The “refurbished” theatre is a nice space. It feels like a new theatre but still hangs onto its atmosphere… Read More

A director’s musing on lighting and audioBy Angela Short When I was at Drama School in London, the “Turns” and the “Techie’s” were kept quite separate… Read More

Elation Professional has added a full-color-spectrum soft light to its KL series (Key Light) of broadcast-quality LED luminaires, the KL Panel. Optimized for the color temperature-adjustable… Read More

ADJ is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the latest addition to its popular focus series of led-powered moving head luminaires. The focus spot 6z has become the new flagship… Read More

Martin ELP LED ellipsoidal fixtures deliver the luminance, brightness and vivid color rendering that have been synonymous with the Martin name for more than 30 years. Martin ELP WW IP offers… Read More

Coming Soon! MagicQ MQ500M Stadium console gives designers and programmers greater flexibility at the highest level of show control, incorporating a robust array of software features that su… Read More

The MagicQ MQ500 Stadium is designed to operate at the highest level of show control, supporting up to 200 universes direct from the console without the need for external processing. MagicQ… Read More

A director’s musing on lighting By Matthew Chapman It was back in 2012, between university degrees and ready to take on the world, that I first set foot inside a professional the… Read More

From Chamsys we have another lighting console in the Magic Q console range. They have recently released the MagicQ MQ50 Compact. This is MagicQ MQ50 is part of the new generation of com… Read More

Excited to announce that I will have a few guest writers that are putting together some neat articles on the importance of the technical elements within a production. Everybody from director… Read More

As a lighting designer, we need to make sure our lighting design is fully documented. We need to make sure all paperwork is always up to date. This is useful for troubleshooting, touring of… Read More

Covid-19  has affected every company in the world one way or another and LSC Lighting is no different. Many of the impacts of the pandemic are still to be felt but like many other organ… Read More

Well with so much downtime, I have decided to revisit my library. I have a fairly good range of books. So, I have decided to re-read some of these books and revisit some of the knowledge I l… Read More

Frankenstein – National Theatre Productionby Nick Dear based on the novel by Mary Shelley Another superb production from the National Theatre featuring a stellar cast. This is a new… Read More

Please assist the wonderful folk at SupportAct. They exist to help all people in the entertainment industry. The video is by the John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra is indictive of ho… Read More

So how are you coping? What measures have you taken to get through these tough times? In these times it is important that we look after our physical and mental wellbeing. We need to look wit… Read More

A tech review by Stephen Dean (not experienced at reviewing) I have heard about the National Theatre doing broadcasts of some of their productions, but this is the first time I have actua… Read More

We at Rambling are pleased to announce that the occasional article will now appear in TheatreArtLife. We are very happy to have articles published at TheatreArt Life, this will also increase… Read More

Hi fellow theatre folk. As we are all in the same boat with the virus, I would thought I would offer some online workshops to help others get skills and for me to also learn from others. The… Read More

We all must have theatre gripes, those things that are annoying but sometimes we do not have enough time to solve them. Or some things that cast or directors do, that don’t seem to mak… Read More

Well, we have survived the first few weeks. But I imagine we are all thinking, surely it will improve sooner rather than later. I have a feeling the virus is going to be a problem for a lot… Read More

With Corona virus shutting all venues down and technicians etc becoming unemployed, we need to keep our skills levels up. Not only to keep us occupied but in readiness for when the venues sl… Read More

Saw this little article in the job section of our local paper, one of the Murdoch gutter papers. Now we in the industry probably know one or two sound designers. But are they earning a… Read More

Well, we are all aware of COVID – 19, and the effect it is having on the world and more importantly the effect on the general population. But we also must realise that it is having a m… Read More

Again Adelaide has been graced with the traveling tech roadshow. This has become a regular feature on the entertainment technicians’ calendar. This is a chance to network and also to… Read More

Well, it is Fringe time.  The time of little sleep and trying to keep 3 or 4 shows in your head at one time. Just remembering all of their names can be a problem, especially if they are… Read More

I am sure we all have had a show that has had a few problems on the night. Lights stop working, an audio track does not play, the curtain gets stuck. Have we as technicians got a plan B, or… Read More

The school has booked the venue to do their annual musical. The sort of affair where it is important that the parents see and hear their little darlings. The only problem is the teachers di… Read More

For the next 3 years, we will see the NW Group be the production partner for WOMADdelaide. So 2020, 2021 and 2022 will see the technical expertise of the NW Group on one of Australia’s… Read More

MagicQ MQ70 is the latest offering in the Compact Console range of small and lightweight consoles that you can fly with. The MagicQ MQ70 fits within hand luggage carry on restrictions of all… Read More

Jereco Studios designs and supplies robust, professional lighting rig for iconic rock lineup When your inaugural event has rock icons like Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Chad Smith (Red Hot… Read More

Advanced wireless intercom solution is purpose-built to harness the full capabilities of 5GHz and IP Clear-Com® is proud to announce FreeSpeak Edge, the latest addition to the in… Read More

Well, it is that day again. It is rather sad in a way that we need a day to ask people, R U OK. We should be asking this question every day. We need to constantly make sure our work coll… Read More

Obsidian Control Systems is pleased to be joining with UK distribution partner Entedi September 15-17 at PLASA in West London where the new NX 4 lighting console with DYLOS pixel composition… Read More

ESPRITE pioneers a new era in LED engines! This very bright and precise moving light is the first to use Robe’s ground-breaking new generation 650W WTE (White Transferrable Engine)… Read More

It seems that the future for the Dot 2 is bleak. MA Lighting has ceased production of this model due to the fact that one of the critical components is no longer available. The key component… Read More

This is a thought that often crosses my mind. Should venues have a standard lighting rig, and then clients have to work with that basic design and then add only a few specials to create thei… Read More

Elation Professional is pleased to announce that ULA Group has been named the new exclusive distributor for Elation Professional products in Australia and New Zealand. Established in 1991, U… Read More

VL2600 Profiles on Jack The Ripper at Copenhagen’s Folketeatret, with lighting design by Mikkel Bedsted.  Image Credit: ©… Read More

AURA is Sovereign Hill’s totally new immersive experience that tells the story of how gold revolutionised Australia. Designed by Creative Director Andrew Walsh AM and his Accolade Even… Read More

For Capture 2019 we have focused on the lighting designer’s workflow. All user interface elements now remember their state – current selection, column widths and sorting. Wind… Read More

MA Lighting is pleased to announce that there is a new grandMA2 bugfix version 3.7.0.5 on the MA webpage. There is also an updated grandMA3 version 0.92.1.5 preview release including the new… Read More

Our industry is moving along at a reasonable pace. There is new equipment, software etc that is coming out at regular intervals. The trick is finding the time to actually suss it out. We nee… Read More

As a visiting lighting designer and technician, there are s few things that would be wonderful to find or have. To start a plan of the venue would be a great starting place. Preferably with… Read More

Eventec is proud to announce the exclusive distribution of PR Lighting for Australia! The addition of PR Lighting as an established professional lighting brand with a rich history and highly… Read More

So, you want to help on a show? You want to help backstage on the crew with props etc. So before learning the skills required, we need to look at some essentials so that do not stand out. We… Read More

Well this problem is making noise yet again. The sound of the phone ringing during a show. The audience has been asked by the Front of House staff to make sure their phones are off or at lea… Read More

Showtools International expands offering with the acquisition of The Lighting Collective Tuesday, 5 March 2019 Showtools International Pty Ltd (“Showtools”, “Company&rdquo… Read More

They sit quietly in the audience with a stub of pencil making notes on the back of an electricity bill envelope or a small notepad if they get paid. That is the image most people think of wi… Read More

Eventec have been appointed the exclusive Australian distributor for Antari Lighting and Effects. They already stock a vast range of Antari products and will now be stocking almost every mod… Read More

Changes to the AESRG subscriptions The good and the bad news. After launching 12 months ago subscriptions to the AESRG website have been slowly increasing. Unfortunately too slow to keep the… Read More

Elation Professional has merged hybrid with high-intensity in the latest luminaire in the company’s Protron line of powerful strobe lights. Elation introduces the Protron Eclypse, a hi… Read More

What should you expect from your production manager and stage manager. For those new to the industry you are often confused by the various roles and what they should be doing. So let us expl… Read More

Conventional stage spotlights in a wide range of environments can now be replaced with this high-output, energy-saving, smooth-dimming LED alternative from Philips Strand. The SPX LED WW pr… Read More

Elation Professional has added three new World Premiere products to an already impressive list of innovative product launches at LDI 2018. Showing October 19-21 at LDI Booth 931 for the firs… Read More

I received this book awhile ago from Focal Press, Taylor & Francis Group. It is written by Lynne Porter, who is the Resident Designer and Director of the theatre program at Fairfield Uni… Read More

NX 2, NX Wing and NX DMX ready for demo at LDI Booth 1135. Obsidian training to be held October 19th and 20th at Las Vegas Convention Center Obsidian Control Systems is pleased to be showca… Read More

About to be released from the stable of ETC this new fixture has already drawn a lot of attention and won a PLASA innovation award. The Relevé could offer venues a versatile moving fi… Read More

The Iconic Opera HouseRacing NSW has gone beyond the pale with the concept of projecting images on the sails of the Sydney Opera House. These projections are just advertising. It is the barr… Read More

Burlington, MA, 9/28/2018 New S6L system components broaden the product family, allowing sound companies and performance venues to configure systems to meet a wider array of production needs… Read More

One of the most useful skills in the entertainment industry is the ability to roll cables correctly. None of this over elbow/shoulder stuff that you may have picked up from your parents. If… Read More

I turn to set up and tech a brass band concert on a Saturday at a local council venue. I have unlocked the space and set up some gear in readiness. They seem to be late in arriving. After wa… Read More

Having a drama teacher asking for the light to stop behind the performer as they moved around the stage. It took awhile to explain the law of physics and photons and lights waves worked. Sti… Read More

Sydney, Australia, June 5, 2018 – JANDS, manufacturer and designer of world-class lighting equipment and technologies, announces that Chroma-Q® has acquired the Vista lighting cont… Read More

Learn your equipment. Get familiar with the equipment you are going to be using. See how to change the bulb, zoom the lens and how to focus. Get familiar where the controls are on the lanter… Read More

Recently had an overseas client that must have super-fast internet speeds. They relied on a cloud service to provide their backing tracks for their fringe show. In my mind this fraught with… Read More

Elation Professional announces the acquisition of the M-Series range of entertainment lighting controllers from HARMAN Professional Denmark ApS, formerly Martin Professional ApS. The asset… Read More

Adelaide has become a hive of activity. It is that crazy period where several major events happen. We have the Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival of Arts, a major car race with associated co… Read More

A lot of venues, especially school based, have a standard lighting rig installed. The beauty of this is that you can turn on some nicely focused lighting for simple shows and presentations… Read More

Audio Brands Australia has been named as the exclusive Meyer Sound distributor for Australia, with the appointment also extending to New Zealand through a partnership with Pacific AV. Effect… Read More

Elation Professional is taking momentum from a very successful 2017 to the ISE show in Amsterdam with a number of cutting-edge products set to inspire at Stand 12-F50. From Elation’s a… Read More

A new release from the Philips Entertinment Lighting group. A high performance linear wash and effect luminaire. DMX motorized zoom and tilt combined with powerful output make the SL BAR 720… Read More

In this unique and clever installation, 12 LED screens run video content that stimulates a live fashion show. A Green Hippo AMBA handles all the video and audio content with ease. Watch to s… Read More

LIGHTING Remember back to when you started out in technical theatre. How did you learn about the ins and out of the backstage magic. Often an old hand was around to show us the ropes, and it… Read More

Elation Professional is pleased to offer three new lighting control products designed to ease communication, optimize functionality and increase compatibility of intelligent lighting systems… Read More

L-Acoustics is pleased to announce the appointment of Jands as its new certified distribution partner for Australia, with effect from 1st January 2018. Jands’ distribution arm represe… Read More

Bump in day has arrived. So how smoothly it runs depends on how you plan it. You don’t want it to take longer than necessary as you do have an important deadline. Opening night is wha… Read More