Charcoalblue is a dynamic theatre consultancy practice offering specialist advice on spaces intended for the presentation of drama, opera, dance, music, film and art. Charcoalblue uses a holistic and partnering approach in all of its work, and gives special emphasis to collaboration and user consultation. Our work is rooted in a dual commitment to theatricality and innovation, with a strong desire to focus on exciting user-led projects. We believe that every part of an arts building should be informed by the lessons of the past, but must also, by taking advantage of new techniques and materials, be capable of meeting the demands of the future: a future that critically includes minimising the environmental impact of both the construction and operating of our buildings. Charcoalblue understands that all projects, from strategic feasibility level through to construction, present a unique set of challenges that we will constantly strive to meet with imaginative solutions. We ensure that our advice and guidance is precisely matched to the needs of each project.

The ABTT and the ABTT Theatre Show are pleased to be supporters of Experiencing Theatres. The ABTT’s main purpose is to raise technical standards in theatre. We collect and disseminate information concerning design, theatre planning, stage machinery, lighting and sound equipment, acoustic, scenery construction, stage management and all aspects of presentation. We are committed to help improve the energy consumption of all performance spaces and venues. The ABTT provides a forum for discussion among theatre users through the publication of its magazine, Sightline and through regular meetings. Today membership of the ABTT is around 1,920 and rising. We have special interest groups including Health & Safety, Training, Theatre Planning, and Historical Research. We have an active Industry Supporters Group and we arrange specialist visits to theatres across the UK.

Co-founded by Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire in 1992, the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) is the largest theatre group in the West End, and separately, the second largest in the UK regions, with a total of 23 venues. ATG is also one of the country’s foremost theatre producers and has been behind some of the most successful and innovative productions in Britain and internationally. ATG has recently opened a New York office, and has also formed First Family Entertainment, a joint major national pantomime and family entertainment company with Live Nation.

A global leader in entertainment and architectural lighting, ETC is dedicated to technical innovation, manufacturing some of the most energy efficient theatre lighting equipment in the world. Our lights only use power when they have to. With some 10% of our staff employed in research and development, ETC products include the award-winning Source Four® luminaires and the Eos™ control desk, as well as Congo™, Congo jr, Ion® and SmartFade™ ML control desks; Sensor® and SineWave dimming; Unison® architectural lighting control and Smart Solutions™ compact lighting gear. ETC is now manufacturing Selador™ LED luminaires with x7 technology that gives a range of subtle colours unavailable from most other LED products. With its headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, ETC has other offices in the United States, in Europe and in Hong Kong. As well as the 24/7 support ensured by our in-house technical experts, ETC dealers around the world also provide high standards of technical expertise.

Established over 25 years ago, Newman Displays provides a local, national and international service. Responsibility to the customer has always been our prime concern, and through the years the company has increased its range of production capabilities and methods, offering a complete service from initial surveys, visuals and planning applications through to servicing and maintenance. All types of signage can be manufactured, including; vinyl graphics, silk screen printing, neon, illuminated and non-illuminated signs, acrylic fabrication, engraving – all produced by a skilled team of in-house operatives. We are proud of our ability to supply an appropriate and effective display solution to theatre refurbishment projects. From the production and installation of traditional display cases to bespoke one-off signage solutions for theatre fronts we are able to advise clients on solutions that are both dynamic and complimentary to the theatres historic architecture – either working for the architects or the theatre owners directly we pride ourselves on delivering a spectacular solution to theatre signage problems. We are extremely proud of the input we have had in the refurbishment of many great theatres, including The Prince of Wales, The Alexandra, The Novello, The Noël Coward, The Wyndhams, The Queens, The Prince Edward and The Gielgud Theatres in recent years.

When its time to upgrade or install the latest lighting technology, White Light’s sales and installation teams can help, as exclusive UK distributor for nine major international lighting manufacturers and supplier of countless hundreds more, including the latest low-energy LED lighting technology. Based in Wimbledon, south-London, and with extensive experience in West End productions, the company is working with the Mayor’s Greening theatre campaign as well as publishing a guide on environmentally responsible theatre lighting and the company is also working towards BS 8555 accreditation. Full details and a portfolio of recent projects can be found on our website.

Carr & Angier have been making a significant contribution to the construction of better performance buildings for thirty five years. We are renowned for careful innovation in both planning and design driven by a considered approach and rigorous attention to detail.

Maximising ‘the experience’ for all the potential users of the theatres and concert halls that we help to create is at the heart of what we do. We believe that partnership and collaboration with clients, end-users and stakeholders is essential to our role as theatre consultants. Carr & Angier are currently engaged on a number of projects with particular emphasis on young performers and educational work such as, the new Performing Arts Centre at Sevenoaks School, the refurbishment of the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham and the Belfast Metropolitan Arts Centre.

Harlequin is the established leader in floorings for the performing arts, with an extensive and well-known range of stage and studio floorings plus sprung floor systems for portable and permanent use. For nearly 30 years Harlequin has supplied customers from small amateur theatres to The Royal Opera House with a comprehensive range from portable, roll-out floors to cushioned and heavy-duty floors, including special effects such as ultra high gloss finishes. A wide range of accessories includes roll storage bags, straps and carts, tapes and cleaning and maintenance products and, for dance studios, a professional collection of wall-mounted and freestanding ballet barres.

As one of the UK’s leading entertainment technology providers, Northern Light provides specialist electrical installation of sound, lighting and stage technologies.

Since 1971, Northern Light has completed in excess of 4,500 technical installations in theatres, concert halls, educational establishments and numerous other venues. A typical installation includes full production lighting, sound and communications – incorporating cabling infrastructure, dimming and control, provision of sound racks and panels, induction loops, ring intercom and emergency lighting.

With completed projects in venues such as Curve in Leicester, London’s Roundhouse, The Minack Theatre in Penzance, Theatres on the Bay, Singapore and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Northern Light has experience of working within a rich diversity of architecture and auditoria.

Northern Light is proud to support the Theatres Trust Conference – Experiencing Theatres.

Stage Electrics supply technical equipment to UK venues such as houses of worship, schools, theatres and performing arts centres.

We supply and install any size of project from a simple PA system to complete technical refurbishment of major venues. Services include lighting, sound, audio visual, rigging, staging and related equipment.

Since 1994, Stage Technologies has been a market leader in engineering solutions for entertainment venues worldwide and following a merger with Delstar Engineering in 2008, our specialist skills pool and capacity for in-house manufacturing has been greatly increased. Now employing over 150 specialised engineers and support staff in 4 continents, we remain instrumental in bringing the extensive benefits of automation technology to the live performance industry, with projects ranging from small school theatres and rentals to grand-class cruise ships, state-of-the-art casino showrooms and national opera houses. Our products and innovations have regularly won a wide range of peer-judged industry awards since 1995.

We’re probably the world’s leading team of theatre planning, design and equipment consultants. Our projects range from major national theatres, concert halls and opera houses to many smaller scale community arts and education projects. We achieve real success by combining visionary concepts with attention to the smallest details

Tim Foster Architects have been designing award-winning buildings for the performing arts for 30 years and have grown steadily to become a medium scale practice with a reputation for sensitive and cost effective design. We carry out both new-build schemes and the redevelopment and refurbishment of existing buildings, including work to several historic theatres. Our clients include schools and colleges, community groups, local authorities, independent theatre companies and commercial theatre operators. Completed projects include The Tricycle Theatre and Cinema, The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, The Broadway Theatre, Barking, The Salisbury Playhouse, Trafalgar Studios, Norwich Theatre Royal and a new performing arts centre for Cheltenham Ladies’ College. We aim to achieve effective delivery of projects to time and budget but we also enjoy the process of making good buildings and want our clients to enjoy it too.

Wigwam Acoustics have over 25 years of experience in the audio industry and can provide sales, installation, service and hire solutions for a wide range of needs. The Wigwam installations team excels in managing projects and is prepared to handle all technical aspects of an installation including lighting, video and logistics. Recent projects include Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Cathedral house for Huddersfield Christian Fellowship church and a recording studio and live room at The Grand in Clitheroe, Lancashire. As audio professionals, Wigwam can provide advice and consultancy for any type of venue and always ensure the work is carried out to the very highest standard. Wigwam’s “Attention to detail ethic” has enabled us to become one of Europe’s leading sound companies.

Burrell Foley Fischer LLP is widely recognised as having specialised expertise in buildings and facilities for the performing arts. The Practice has won many awards for the quality of its work on large- and small-scale theatres, as well as on rehearsal and ancillary spaces, working with clients ranging from the largest national organisations to individual practising artists. Projects include The Crucible, Sheffield, The Almeida Theatre, London and The Menuhin Hall, for the Yehudi Menuhin School.

Mark Foley has an intimate understanding of working with arts clients, stemming from over 25 years experience of looking at everything from cultural strategies, the design of auditoria spaces and the details of how a sprung dance floor is constructed.

Lee/Fitzgerald Architects is a young London-based design studio, founded in 1998. The practice has already completed major commissions for the Institution of Electrical Engineers, the Arts Institute at Bournemouth, the South West Regional Development Agency, Really Useful Theatres and St Peter’s College Oxford, alongside a number of residential projects that include refurbishments of two internationally renowned design classic houses. With the success of these projects Lee/Fitzgerald’s workload has rapidly expanded and the practice has developed a reputation for high-quality architectural design. In 2004 Lee/Fitzgerald moved into its current, purpose-designed studio at 199 Southwark Bridge Road.

The practice is currently working on projects at the Palace Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue) and The Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Theatreplan is a partnership of theatre consultants from all spheres of theatre. We can be described not only as a group of theatre enthusiasts but also as regular theatre-goers who interact with audiences and performers alike. Theatreplan’s sensitive advice on any scale or type of performance space – from school drama to international opera – is drawn from many successful commissions as well as from prior experience of working in theatre engineering, set and costume design, architecture and performance. In addition to our in-house expertise in designing theatres and opera houses worldwide, Theatreplan’s resources include the advice of associates who are current theatre practitioners. Theatreplan has received countless plaudits for skilful and innovative theatre design, advanced technical solutions and conceptual architectural advice. Our planning expertise combines with the work of others to create venues that provide the welcome, comfort, atmosphere, environment and facilities expected from modern live performance venues.

The Unicorn Theatre is one of the leading producers of professional theatre for children and young people in the UK. Its home on the south bank of the Thames is the only purpose-built theatre for young people in London. The theatre creates six productions each year as well as presenting work from other leading UK companies. The international programme brings some of the world’s best theatre to London, welcoming companies from Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, South Africa and Japan. Opened in December 2005, the Unicorn houses two theatres, an education studio, a rehearsal studio, a café and other welcoming areas for families and schools. The theatre company was founded in 1947 by Caryl Jenner, whose unique vision and inspiration made the building of this flagship theatre possible.

“One of the capital’s most exciting new theatre spaces” Time Out

Since 1985, Lighting&Sound International (L&SI) has been the leading publication for those involved with professional lighting, audio, staging, effects and related technologies. L&SI covers the broad range of the world’s entertainment and leisure environments, special events and presentations, plus architectural and commercial installations – anywhere that professional equipment and technologies are employed. L&SI continues to offer the best coverage of entertainment technology in all its diverse forms, as well as in-depth profiles of the people and companies who put it all together. Read by thousands of sound and lighting professionals worldwide – manufacturers, suppliers, designers, consultants, specifiers and end users – L&SI is now also available in an online digital edition, making it freely and immediately available to professionals across the globe. Since L&SI Digital was introduced in September 2007, the magazine has enjoyed a 40% increase in circulation, reaching new individuals worldwide on a daily basis.