ABTT 2013 Annual Awards

	Robin Townley, ABTT associate executive officer, hosting the Annual Award ceremony. Photo: Laura Braun

The Association of British Theatre Technicians 2013 Annual Awards, sponsored by two of the organization's Silver Industry Supporters Group members, Stage Electrics and Triple E, took place on Wednesday, June 12, 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 and 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 160-degree 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 K-array 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 recognized 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 recognizes the culmination of eighteen months work in theatrical drapery innovation."

ABTT Technician of the Year: Ben Sandford, production director, The Questors Theatre, London

The award was 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."