Winners Announced of ABTT Awards

The Association of British Theatre Technicians' Annual Awards (ABTT) took place on June 5 after the first day of the ABTT Theatre Show 2024 at Alexandra Palace, London.

Ted Moore, director of rental services, TAIT, said, "TAIT are really proud to be here once again to sponsor the ABTT Awards, which I truly believe is one of the best award presentations anywhere in our industry. We wish all the nominees good luck and give congratulations to whoever the winners may be."

An experienced group of working practitioners and industry peers selected the awards.

The award for lighting product went to City Theatrical's Multiverse Connect Module. The judges said it is "a clever option to allow wireless control to lights. Either integrated into the motherboard or externally added as an option on the front control panel -- both options open possibilities for manufacturers and end users to add wireless functionality for existing products, both at and post-purchase."

Receiving a commendation was the Martin MAC Viper XIP. The judges called it "a new take on the much-loved Viper fixture that many still find in their rigs today. The Viper XIP has embraced the demands we expect from a modern moving head, making it 2kg lighter than its older counterpart, and taking a much-loved fixture and developing it for use outdoors."

The award for sound product went to Ampetronic's Auri. The result of a collaboration with Listen Technologies, it can broadcast audio simultaneously to an unlimited number of devices compatible with Ampetronic's proprietary Auracast technology; these include receivers, hearing aids, earbuds, and smartphones. The judges said it is "a genuinely game-changing innovation from a company better known for perfecting systems that we already know. The Auri has the potential to completely revolutionize accessibility in assisted listening as well as implications well beyond that field. The judges also liked how this product works with an open protocol so it will operate with both existing and future developments."

The award for engineering product went to Open Automation's X Winch. According to the judges, "The small, quiet, zero-fleet X winch has a great array of features. Predominantly aimed at performers flying but also capable of being used as a roll-on, roll-off counterweight assist winch, too. It is an impressive product."

The award for widget went to Viviana Sound Solutions' Viviana Straps Extreme. The judges noted it is "a well-designed and thought-through solution to a common industry issue of housing a radio mic transmitter pack on a performer's body. Available in multiple colors and sizes, it maintains all the key elements of breathability, slimness, and softness with a unique hypoallergenic grip -- it is an excellent solution!"

In other awards, events solutions specialist Encore was cited for its booth. Individuals winning awards were technician Jonny Liron, lighting designer David Howard (for "emerging excellence"), Kathryn Downton (for "environmental sustainability;" also commended was Jill Robertshaw, deputy production manager at Nottingham Playhouse, costume designer Stephen Rodwell, and wigmaker/hairstylist Adele Brandman.

The next ABTT Show will take place June 4 - 5, 2025.