News and Events
PRESS RELEASE: ABTT 2013 Annual Awards
14th Jun 2013
The Association of British Theatre Technicians 2013 Annual
Awards, sponsored by two of the organisation's Silver Industry
Supporters Group members, Stage Electrics & Triple E, took
place on Wednesday evening (12 June), following the first day of the ABTT
Theatre Show.
With the Awards' jury
judging throughout the day and final deliberations taking place late in the
afternoon, winners were presented with their individually engraved hook-clamp
trophies at London's Truman Brewery, in front of exhibitors, guests and ABTT
members.
The winners are as
follows:
ABTT 2013 Lighting Product of the Year : PRG V276 manufactured by PRG
Judges' comments: The judges felt this product offered a way to
get high-end and high-definition results from a media server & control desk
at a more budget conscious price. The PRG V276 takes the stadium style
operational features of the larger PRG desks and allows users to interface with
their own Apple laptop processing power, combined with a hand-luggage friendly
control surface, to enable grand results in small situations.
Tom Celner, PRG
Controls Product Manager, replied, "We're thrilled to receive this award from ABTT. The VX76 software has
been a very successful product for us on our V676 and V476 desks on projects
like the opening Olympic ceremonies of London 2012. With the new V276, we can
now offer the same software with a compact, affordable control surface.
ABTT 2013 Sound Product of the Year : KAN200 manufactured by K-array ,
promoted by Sennheiser
Judges' comments: The judges found this year's winner to quite
literally offer a 'flexible' approach for getting sound into interesting
places. The K-Array KAN 200 flexible array element speaker, the
"Anakonda", can be positioned to create a 160º array on the sides of
stages, or placed on its side for front/balcony fill. The low profile and
choices of black or white covering "sock" offers applications in Front Of House
areas, as well as fitting into scenic elements for spot effects.
Simon Beesley, Product Manager, Sennheiser UK, replied, "We are
really pleased to have received this award from ABTT. Gaining such accolades
helps Sennheiser to continue to bring more innovative products to the market.
Thanks to ABTT for their consideration of the Karray Anakonda for this award."
ABTT 2013 Stage Engineering Product of the Year : Batten Clew manufactured and
promoted by Gerriets Great Britain Ltd
Judges' comments: The Judges found that this product offered a
good flexible option to easily and efficiently increase loading potential on a
flown system. Gerriets' Batten Clew comes in several sizes and is used to
evenly distribute a single point load over several pick up points.
Greg Shimmin,
Manager, Gerriets GB, replied, "Gerriets is delighted that the Batten Clew has been recognised by
ABTT. It is rewarding when a product receives the backing of fellow technical
theatre professionals."
ABTT 2013 Widget of
the Year : All Black Matt Gaffer Tape promoted by Flints
Judges' comments: This year's widget
is a variation on a classic item that has arguably been used at some point on
every stage by almost every technician. However, the slight variation to the
‘All Black Matt Gaffer Tape' means it can be used for all the last minute
temporary repair work where standard Matt cloth tape would not work. It is
another occasion where the widget award goes to a simple "why has no one done
this before?" product. A genuine aid to the working technician.
Richard Black, Projects Manager, Flints Theatrical Chandlers, replied, "We're pleased to have again won the ABTT Widget of the Year Award - this time
for our All Black Matt Gaffer Tape and also for the special mention with
regards to the judges commendation for our Fixed Position Castor. Whether
simple or complex, Flints will continue to search out the best in new products
for our industry".
ABTT 2013 Best Stand of the Year : Prompt Side Image Fabrication
Judges' comments: The judges were inspired by the simplicity of
this stand, which displayed to fine advantage the products they manufacture and
supply, by featuring a large backlit reproduction of the Venus di Milo.
Peter Baker, Managing
Director, Prompt Side, replied, "We are delighted to have won Stand of the Year 2013 as it recognises
the culmination of eighteen months work in theatrical drapery innovation."
ABTT Technician of
the Year: Ben Sandford, Production Director, The Questors Theatre, London
Award presented by
ABTT Chairman Mark White, who quoted the late Howard Bird, a previous CEO of
the Association, who said, "Gravity and electricity act equally badly on the
paid and the not paid and are no respecters of the volunteer."
Picture
Credit : Laura Braun
Caption : Robin Townley, ABTT Associate Executive Officer, hosting the
Annual Award ceremony
