ABTT Announces 2019 Annual Theatre Awards The Association of British Theatre Technicians' Annual Theatre Awards took place on Wednesday, June 5, after the first day of the 2019 ABTT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace, London. The five highly sort after Awards for Lighting, Sound & Engineering Products of Year, "Widget," and Stand of the Year, were complemented by the announcement of the ABTT's Technician of the Year for 2019. The jury, made up of an experienced group of working practitioners and industry peers, awarded as follows: ABTT Lighting Product of the Year 2019
Robe | T1 Profile Judges' comments: "The lighting product of the year award goes to a new moving light that has clearly had a great deal of thought put into its development. Robe's new T1 fixture delivers an immensely useable theatre lantern. It is light weight, quiet, and extremely well featured. Of particular note, the scrim function and the brown/blue focus tweak on the hard edge on the PC lens version is a welcome addition to the lighting designer's pallet." Winner's comment: "We are so pleased to win this award, especially as it is from the very people that influenced its conception and who really know their craft. Once again, the ABTT Theatre Show presents us with the best opportunity to address the technical theatre market," Mick Hannaford, managing director, Robe UK. Judges' commendation: GLP's beam light accessories that adapt the Impression X4. ABTT Sound Product of the Year 2019
Sennheiser | DIGITAL 6000 SK 6212 Judges' comments: "Having a discreet belt pack transmitter for radio microphone systems is a goal of costume designers and sound designers, this product caters for both! The Sennheiser SK6212 belt pack for the Digital 6000 series at just 63mm × 47mm × 20mm and a weight of 112g including battery and clip, has already been successfully deployed on a number of West End shows where high quality is demanded, and small size is desired. Long battery life of up to 12 hours becomes an attractive option for commercial and corporate use." Winner's comment: "It's extremely rewarding to receive the ABTT 2019 Sound Product of the Year Award for the SK 6212 -- the transmitter is only a few months old in the market but already being adopted by many West End and UK touring productions, which is healthy recognition of the design process. Considerable thanks to all of the stakeholders that contributed to its development," Sennheiser UK pro audio solutions team. Judges' commendation: "We look forward to seeing the production of the d&b D8 compact sub." ABTT Engineering Product of the Year 2019
AED Group | Showlift AED-SL18 Judges' comments: "A piece of engineering equipment with the lighting designer in mind. With a small lifting platform that can take the weight of a moving light and controlled from the same DMX system as the moving light, the Showlift allows all the programming to sit in one place." Winner's comment: "We are excited to introduce the Showlift AED-SL18 to the theatre and creative industry at this year's ABTT Theatre Show. It is a privilege to accept this award on behalf of the AED Group," David Baker, commercial manager, AED. Judges' commendations: "Safety Lifting Gear's Battery hoist & Lift Turn Move's G-Pro Briefcase Controller." ABTT Widget of the Year 2019
Mantracourt Electronics | BroadWeigh Judges' comments: "As a quick way to provide monitoring of small rigs, the BroadWeigh load cell shackle -- in conjunction with a Bluetooth connected device running the Broadweigh app -- is exceptionally useful for those touring shows that require up to 12 points of rigging. The app also sums selected load cells to enable a maximum load to be identified. Use of this product will greatly speed up prep days." Winner's comment: "We're delighted to receive this year's widget award at the ABTT Theatre Show. Our aim was to bring a useful and affordable tool to a theatre technicians' tool-box, which would provide a clear picture of what is happening on the rig. As a design and manufacturing company our ethos is to bring intelligent, usable products to market. We believe the BroadWeigh Bluetooth system fills a gap in the load monitoring solutions currently available. Thanks to the ABTT panel. We look forward to more BroadWeigh innovations," Kelly Voysey, sales and marketing manager, Mantracourt Electronics. Judges' commendation: Igus's adjustable shim. ABTT Theatre Show 2019 Stand of the Year
Theatreplan Judges' comments: "As ever a lot of people made a big effort and the Theatre Show looks stunning as a result, especially with the new layout giving a more open view of the hall on entry. One of the criteria for judging the Stand of the Year Award is that it clearly shows what the exhibitor does. Theatreplan is a new arrival at the ABTT show. They have a well laid out stand that clearly shows their creative process, with a soft, welcoming and intimate feel, inviting those who enter to engage with the consultancy's global work. The Sydney Opera House variable acoustic reflector on display is a particularly striking and fun feature." Winner's comment: "The Theatreplan team was truly thrilled to receive the Stand of the Year Award, especially as first-time exhibitors. The Theatre Show was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase how we collaborate with clients and partners, to provide innovative technical solutions to complex design challenges. We're planning next year's stand already!" Helen Walker, general manager, Theatreplan. Judges' commendations: 3D Creations, Attle Costumiers, Lamp and Pencil, Robe, and Shure. ABTT Technician of the Year 2019
Martin Chisnall Citation: "A production electrician at the top of his industry, known for a dry sense of humor mixed with sharp technical knowledge and attention to detail. He nurtures new talent, spotting promising people and giving them freelance work to encourage their careers. He has worked on the largest of musicals and spectaculars and brings that level of knowledge, attention to detail, and professionalism to the smallest of plays. Going into a production week with Martin by your side is to know that you have chosen the best." 
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