International News

BLACKBURN, Lancashire, U.K. — With the support of lighting rental company HSL, A&O Technology launched a U.K. warehouse to complement its facilities in Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East. Shown here, from left, are HSL’s Simon Stuart and Mike Oates, with A&O’s Marco Niedermeier.

LEICESTER, U.K. — Curve Leicester, a theatre designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, has been equipped with new gear including Robert Juliat’s followspots, long-throw profile lanterns and fresnel- and pebble-convex lens spotlights and the Robert Juliat Lutin with interchangeable lenses.

SAO LEOPOLDO, Brazil — Martin Professional has appointed Pro Shows Comércio de Eletroeletrônicos Ltda as its new distributor and official representative in Brazil. Pro Shows was founded in 2003 by the company’s president, Vladimir de Souza.

JOHANNESBURG — Gearhouse South Africa provided custom-built indoor and outdoor stands for Indian automaker Tata Motors at the 2008 Johannesburg International Motor Show at the Expo Centre. Robyn Mulligan managed the project via GSA subsidiaries Sets, Drapes and Screens (SDA) and In2Structures.

LONDON — Lighting designer Arturo Ollandini is using Robe ColorSpot and ColorWash 2500 moving lights supplied by Sonalyst in his design for comedy duo, The Mighty Boosh, currently on tour in the U.K. The show, produced by Phil McIntyre Entertainments, is a mix of comedy and music with the lighting requirements of a theatrical rock ‘n’ roll tour.

MILAN, Italy — The Italian news parody, Striscia la Notizia, or The News Slithers, has become popular enough for the talent search for the two female performers who accompany the show to become a hit on its own, with a full complement of Clay Paky gear used to light the final performances and the interviews with the winning pair of female contestants.

DONETSK, Ukraine — Lighting supplier Cortmi Ltd. is using architectural lighting fixtures from China-based PR Lighting to wash landmark buildings in this eastern Ukraine urban center in bright colors, including a permanent installation for the Akula business center and the temporary wash for a residence constructed by Donbass Investment and Construction Co. Ltd. (DISC).

AARHUS, Denmark — Martin Professional A/S  has named Anne Mette Solvang as head of marketing at the company’s headquarter office in Denmark. Martin also appointed Martin Barker as the company’s commercial product manager for its architectural segment. Barker will work out of both the company’s headquarters office and its head office in the U.K.

KRISTIANSAND, Norway — Robe has named Live Technic as distributor for its products in Norway. Thor-Andre Sæther, left, and Finn Nilsen, right, formed Live Technic in 2006. Sæther became familiar with Robe products as an LD and programmer, and felt it was the right brand for Live Technic to distribute.

OSAKA, Japan — Jackson Browne was “pivotal” in the decision to use an LED-dominated lighting rig for the first time on the world tour supporting the 2008 album, Time the Conqueror, according to Dave Davidian, lighting and production designer. “He’s a very green-oriented person,” said Davidian, who has worked with Browne since 1990. “I was curious about LEDs too.”

IBIZA, Spain — On the recommendation of U.K.-based LD Alan King, who was brought in by Microchunk to add new gear for Pete Tong and Groove Armada’s “Wonderland,” Ibiza’s Eden nightclub upgraded to an Avolites Diamond 4 console before the busy summer season.

DUBAI, UAE — Igloos don’t last long in a snowless desert, and the dome tent structure billed as “the first igloo in Dubai” won’t last forever as well. But the first Gearhouse South Africa In2Structures MaxiDome temporary venue will be used for at least 15 months before it’s disassembled — about 14 months and 30 days after a real igloo would turn into a useless puddle of slush.