Author: russellcoombes

Lighting connectivity experts Tridonic is sharing the success story of the Tridonic Academy; an education scheme designed to deliver vital skills across the electronics industry.

The Academy is a partnership between Tridonic and New College Durham, aimed at ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent for the future. Tridonic is the only electronics manufacturing business in the North East of England working on a partnership of this kind.
Since September 2024, students have been able to access a Tridonic Academy designed level 2 electronics course at New College. The course is specifically a Level 2 Engineering operations (Electrical) Course. This provides learners with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the electronics Manufacturing industry.

The course was designed and led through a collaboration between Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain manager at Tridonic and the College. The collaboration started in 2023 with Tridonic, Business Durham, The North East Institute of Technology and New College working together to support education and industry.

Run over the duration of one year, the course combines theoretical principles with hands-on, practical training. Key for Tridonic is the opportunity to teach skills that the manufacturer needs going forward, including surface mount soldering and use of the placement machine. The trained students can then be recruited from the college; providing employment opportunities for local young people and ensuring Tridonic can build a team of individuals with the right skills.

In preparation of the course starting, Tridonic upskilled two members of staff and two lecturers from New College to become IPC CIT trained. A Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) is a professional who trains and certifies others to become Certified IPC Specialists (CIS). CITs are experts in IPC standards, which are globally recognised benchmarks for electronics manufacturing.

Tina Taylor, Ideas and Training Coordinator, received this training, led the teaching at the College and has become the face of Tridonic with students.

Ben Kennard has also been a guest speaker on the course. Ben has been able to showcase his role in the electronics sector, and the benefits of a job in this industry.

Cementing the partnership further, in February Tridonic invited 2 students from the class that were interested in a role at the manufacturer for a ‘Trial a Job’ day. This gave the students a taster of what working at Tridonic would be like, and also for the company to see what their newly acquired skills could bring into the team.

One of the students was so impressive that he has already been offered a job at Tridonic, which will begin at the start of April. He will initially work at Tridonic for 2 days a week while he finishes his course, with a view to moving to a full-time role on completion of his training.

At the start of this month, a Placement machine was delivered to New College, provided by Tridonic who secured a grant from Business Durham enabling the manufacturer to gift the machine to the college. Tridonic is supporting the college in the set-up of the machine, and passing on the knowledge and expertise needed.

Once the machine is live, a member of the Tridonic team will train the students on a one-to-one basis on the machine, while Tina continues with the knowledge training and workbooks on the machine. This ensures that all students are trained on the machine and operations.

Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Manager at Tridonic, said that the company is actively involved in designing training programmes that equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the lighting industry.
“It’s about offering opportunities for young people and giving them the skills they need to succeed,” he explained. “We believe in supporting the local community, and these Level 2 courses, in addition to the Level 3 and 4 apprentices that we currently offer with New College Durham are a way for us to contribute to the future of County Durham.”

Tina Taylor, Training and Ideas Co-Ordinator at Tridonic added: “I am extremely proud of my class and how they accept me and Tridonic; they love to learn and are full of energy to solder. I am also very proud to be a part of the whole process and show that even though Tridonic is classed as a SME, we are committed to working with young people and the college to secure future talent.”

Through the partnership, learners can also benefit from educational visits to Tridonic’s Spennymoor facility, giving them first-hand experience of real-world engineering and manufacturing environments.

Reflecting on this, Karl Johnson, Head of School Mechanical, Electrical and the Built Environment at New College Durham said: “At New College Durham, we’re all about closing the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing through fantastic industry partnerships.

“Our collaboration with Tridonic is a wonderful example of how education and industry can come together to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience they need for bright and successful careers.

“Our transformational partnership not only provides learners with industry-led training but also showcases Tridonic’s proactive approach in tackling workforce challenges and attracting future talent. By working together, we’re ensuring that learners leave New College Durham with the skills, confidence, and experience they need to thrive in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.”

The collaboration with New College Durham is a vital component of Tridonic’s long-term workforce strategy. The hope is that in June 2025, Tridonic will be able to identify additional students that want to join their team.

An impressive new permanent exhibition inside Drents Museum in the Netherlands has been brought to life by Ata Tech with a comprehensive audiovisual package from Pharos Architectural Controls and Genelec.

The exhibition comprises 15 rooms that create a labyrinth of interactive storytelling, revitalising the northeastern province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. Visitors experience an array of unique interactive adventures, from a mammoth hunt to a farmer’s wedding. The exhibit also features the world’s oldest-known boat, the 12,000-year-old Pesse canoe, discovered near the museum in the 1950s.

Advanced technologies from Pharos and Genelec were utilised to create the interactive soundscapes and projections that also enable guests to participate in games such as spear throwing and canoeing. A Pharos Designer LPC (Lighting Playback Controller) created the perfect interface to handle the complex lighting and sound requirements for the exhibition, which includes a full universe of DMX-patched lighting fixtures, as well as control of other AV devices.

Pharos Cloud allowed for remote monitoring, management and adjustment of the multiple systems required to create a seamless, immersive visitor experience. The LPC’s show-control capabilities were integrated with Genelec speakers to create the single-controller system, making start-up, shutdown and maintenance of the installation simpler and more effective.

The additional flexibility provided by Pharos Cloud enables both Ata Tech and the team at the museum to respond quickly to any programming changes or new requirements that arise, without the need for physical intervention. This not only ensures optimal operation of all systems, but does so in a way that is user-friendly, allowing museum staff to easily manage the various systems through an intuitive interface.

The challenge in the Labyrinthia project was implementing a soundscape throughout the museum while ensuring the audio synchronised seamlessly with the content in each room. Additionally, it needed to allow museum hosts and tour guides to easily mute the sound in each exhibition space during guided tours. This was achieved using the Genelec system, which enables guides to manage the audio effortlessly via a phone or iPad.

A monitoring system was also installed, allowing Ata Tech to remotely check the functionality of the audio system. The system can be monitored globally via Pharos Cloud, enhancing maintenance efficiency and reliability.

Tom Aarts from Ata Tech, said: “The feedback from the client and from visitors alike has been fantastic and we are thrilled to see the exhibitions in action; entertaining, engaging and educating guests that visit the museum. The choice of Pharos and its integration with Genelec allows the technologies at the Drents Museum to be combined in a flexible and efficient way, contributing to a dynamic and immersive experience for the visitors.”

Bas Hoksbergen, Business Development Director for Pharos, said: “The seamless integration between the Pharos and Genelec systems has created something very special at Drents Museum, and demonstrates perfectly the continued versatility of our controllers.”

Project Credits:
Systems Integrator: Ata Tech
Audio Specialists: Genelec
Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Designer: NorthernLight
Exhibit Builder: Bruns
Interactivs:e YIPP
Content: WIRTZ Film & Experience Agency
Photography: Sake Elzinga & Nienke Maat

Currently playing at The Old Vic in London, Oedipus is a contemporary adaptation of Sophocles’ classic tragedy. Featuring a cast led by Rami Malek as Oedipus and Indira Varma as Jocasta, the production is co-directed by Hofesh Shechter and Matthew Warchus, in a new adaptation by Ella Hickson. This epic and revelatory version follows King Oedipus on his quest to save his people. He vows to succeed whatever the cost and so begins an unstoppable pursuit of the truth through a harrowing labyrinth of fear and love. The production has been met with critical acclaim and is nominated in three categories at this year’s Olivier Awards, including Best Actress, Best Sound Design and Best Theatre Choreographer. Featuring a lighting design by Tom Visser, White Light was approached by The Old Vic’s Head of Lighting Andrew Stuttard, to supply the lighting rig.

White Light and The Old Vic share a relationship spanning over 20 years, with WL supplying lighting equipment for the majority of the theatre’s productions. Andrew reflects on this collaboration: “We really value our relationship with White Light’s hire team. Having worked with Stuart Porter and Jedd Hamilton for many years, they understand our needs. The team is always accommodating, whether we need to adjust, swap, or add more equipment during tech weeks. The speed of response from WL is invaluable; it means we can make creative changes quickly, ensuring that designers get exactly what they need.”
The Old Vic operates with a lean in-house lighting team, requiring a hands-on approach from its Head of Lighting. Andrew explains: “My role covers everything from ensuring productions run smoothly to supporting lighting designers and sourcing the right equipment for each show. I oversee all prep work and lead the fit-ups at the theatre, while also managing the team responsible for keeping the productions running night after night. As a team of three, we work closely together to make sure everything happens seamlessly. Occasionally, we also assist other departments with filming and special events, using our skillset to support the wider theatre.”

Every Old Vic production brings fresh technical challenges, and Oedipus was no exception. The production required a versatile lighting design to seamlessly transition between contemporary dance sequences and dramatic theatre scenes. Andrew continues: “For this production, we had to blend different lighting styles to complement both the choreography and the play. We used a combination of traditional Source Fours and generics alongside newer fixtures like the Ayrton Perseo, which we hadn’t used before but proved to be incredibly reliable with a powerful output. We also incorporated Martin MAC Ones, allowing us to create a fresh and distinctive design. The production ran smoothly, but during the preview period, we had to adapt quickly to meet the creative team’s evolving needs. This is where our relationship with WL was invaluable

— their understanding of our requirements meant we could source the right fixtures at the right time.”
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for The Old Vic’s lighting department, and Andrew is actively working to improve energy efficiency within the venue.
“We’re currently analysing our power usage to make more sustainable choices. It’s not just about switching to LED but understanding the power consumption differences between generic and LED fixtures, including the standby power requirements of LED units. We’re gathering data to inform our future decisions. Beyond equipment, we’re also committed to reusing materials wherever possible and tracking our progress using the Green Theatre Book metrics. Sustainability is ingrained in our team’s mindset, and we’re working to make meaningful changes wherever we can.”

WL’s Hire Business Development Manager, Stuart Porter, highlights the strength of the ongoing partnership: “It’s fantastic to continue working with Andrew and his team at The Old Vic. Their productions are always diverse and creatively ambitious, often with tight prep and turnaround times. We’re proud to support them with high-quality equipment and a responsive service, ensuring they have everything they need to bring their designs to life. Our workshop team ensures that every piece of kit is prepped to the highest standard, so that the team can focus on bringing each show to life. Additionally, with sustainability at the forefront of our operations, we have earned key accreditations, including B Corp and ISO 14001, enabling us to align with The Old Vic’s sustainability commitments.”

With Oedipus running until the end of the month, all eyes are on the upcoming Olivier Awards. Best of luck to the entire team — we can’t wait to see how many awards the production takes home!
Photography by Manuel Harlan

Leading UK manufacturer unveils its latest high-performance lighting solution for data centres and large-scale retail.

Tamlite Lighting is launching the Linear Pro Max at Data Centre World (12-13 March 2025), introducing a new generation lighting solution designed for fast, flexible installation in data centres and large-scale retail environments.

By integrating the trunking, electrical components, and quick-release luminaires into a single module system, the Linear Pro Max minimises downtime, optimises efficiency, and enhances sustainability.

As data centres grow to meet AI, cloud computing, and e-commerce demands, operators must optimise energy efficiency and performance. Lighting is key for compliance, energy savings, and minimal maintenance requirements. The Linear Pro Max is engineered to meet these challenges, ensuring fast installation and high-performance illumination for server aisles.

These features also make the Linear Pro Max an ideal lighting solution for large-scale retail environments, providing continuous-row illumination that enhances product visibility, minimises glare, and improves customer navigation and overall experience.

Engineered for data centres and large-scale retail

The Linear Pro Max is designed to meet the specific demands of data centres and expansive retail spaces. By integrating advanced components into a streamlined system, it enhances efficiency, flexibility, and performance while reducing operational costs. Key benefits include:

Fast and flexible installation, reducing labour costs and minimising downtime.
High energy efficiency of up to 180 lm/W, reducing power consumption, and supporting sustainability goals.

Smart lighting integration with VISION, Tamlite’s intelligent lighting control system. VISION provides tailored, solution-based controls that optimise energy efficiency and enhance performance, from simple occupancy sensing to fully addressable DALI emergency test and monitoring, across single or multiple rooms or floors.
Customisable optics, including wide and narrow beam variants, to suit different layouts. Options include continuous runs for uniform lighting across a large area or for targeted illumination in specific zones.

Sustainability and compliance

The Linear Pro Max has been designed with sustainability in mind, featuring a lightweight extruded aluminium housing that minimises material waste and enhances recyclability. It is currently being evaluated according CIBSE TM65 for embodied carbon, and CIBSE TM66 for the use of circular economic principles. The results of these evaluations are expected in summer 2025.

Supporting the rapid growth of data centres

According to new research from CBRE, European data centre markets are projected to add 937 megawatts (MW) of new supply in 2025. If this data centre supply is delivered, it will set a record for Europe, representing an increase of 282MW more than the 655MW of capacity delivered last year.

Over 57% of this capacity will be delivered in key markets such as Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin (FLAPD). With demand outpacing supply, operators must focus on energy-efficient infrastructure to manage power and sustainability goals.

Stephen Biggs, National Category Manager at Tamlite Lighting, comments:

“The Linear Pro Max’s ultra-efficient design, combined with seamless smart controls, makes it the ideal solution to reduce energy consumption, enhance visibility, and future-proof data centre operations. As demand for data centre space increases, optimised lighting solutions like the Linear Pro Max are set to play a pivotal role in improving efficiency and sustainability of these facilities.”

For more product details about the Linear Pro Max, please visit Tamlite Lighting

The DALI Alliance continues to drive innovation in smart lighting, ensuring its technology meets the growing demand for efficiency and sustainability in smart buildings and cities. To strengthen its global presence and advance key initiatives, the organization has expanded its Board of Directors.

At the recent DALI Alliance General Assembly, all nine incumbent board members were re-elected. Additionally, four new members were elected following the board’s decision to expand in response to the alliance’s continued growth. These newly elected directors bring diverse expertise and representation from key international markets.

The newly elected board members are:

Kevin Gong (Sunricher) – Chief Technology Officer
Stewart Langdown (Zencontrol) – Director of Business Development
Windy Leung (LTECH) – International Sales Director
Stephen Zhou (mwConnect) – Executive Vice President

With board members spanning Europe, China, the United States, and Australia, the DALI Alliance is further strengthening its global reach. This expansion enhances the organization’s ability to communicate the benefits of the DALI protocol—including interoperability, automation, scalability, wireless connectivity, IoT integration, and sustainability—to a wider audience.

Paul Drosihn, General Manager of the DALI Alliance, commented:
“To further fulfill our mission and commitment to our members, we are delighted to welcome Kevin Gong, Stewart Langdown, Windy Leung, and Stephen Zhou to the Board of Directors. Their expertise and regional representation will provide valuable insights, support native communication, and strengthen our global engagement. This expansion reinforces our role as a leading industry organization focused on standardization, market adoption, and the technological advancements needed to drive meaningful change.”

Throughout 2025, the DALI Alliance will continue expanding its initiatives in wireless connectivity, sensing, system integration, and sustainability, ensuring that smart buildings and cities remain future-proofed with cutting-edge lighting technology. The organization will also broaden its messaging and training efforts across the entire lighting control value chain to further promote the adoption and benefits of DALI-based solutions.

The Silhouette Awards have revealed the winners of the 2025 programme, recognising exceptional emerging talent in the lighting industry. Now in its fourth year, the awards continue to provide a unique platform for aspiring designers, offering a six-month mentorship with industry leaders to foster professional growth and innovation.

This year’s programme received a record number of submissions from 26 countries, reflecting the awards’ growing global influence. The 20 winners were revealed during a virtual celebration that took place on Friday, the 28th of February. The live-streamed announcement brought together the international lighting and design community.

The 2025 Silhouette Awards winners and their mentors are as follows:

Agathe Tiret, mentored by Ratna Kumari
Allison Lau, mentored by Shahrzad Abtahi
Anthony George Girgis, mentored by Armaghan Ahmadi Venhari
Diana Andrea Niño Bogoya, mentored by Ximena Munoz
Gabriel Pinheiro, mentored by Cherine Saroufim
Göknur Kayır, mentored by Sergio Boccia
Ksenia Chubenko, mentored by Tim Hunt
Lally Widelska, mentored by Philip Hammond
Lucie Koháková, mentored by Marcos Juarez Nicolau
Lucrezia Seghi, mentored by Lee Barker-Field
Luis Mora D, mentored by Myriam Patricia Lopez Yanez
Maya Gribby, mentored by Daniel Blaker
Melissa Toasa, mentored by Sacha Abizadeh
Petra Koza, mentored by Eugenia Cheng
Petros Kitsantas, mentored by Vinod Pillai
Rezvan Shahrabi Farahani, mentored by Maneck Tandon
Santiago Navarro Castro, mentored by Magdalena Gomez
Sudipti Varadharajan, mentored by Camila Blanco
Tiago Winer, mentored by Fabiana Nery Pardhanani
Zahra Shojaei, mentored by Andy Powell

A recording of the winners’ celebration event, which has already amassed over 300 views, is available for viewing via https://youtu.be/y6gx662AGW0

Over the next six months, these talented individuals will engage in personalised mentorships, enhancing their skills and advancing their career aspirations. The programme benefits not only the mentees but also the mentors, enriching the industry by nurturing creativity and innovation.

Katia Kolovea, Co-Founder of the Silhouette Awards, said: “Each year, we are inspired by the incredible talent that emerges through the Silhouette Awards. This mentorship journey is more than just recognition – it’s about creating meaningful connections, fostering growth, and empowering the next generation of lighting professionals. The passion and creativity we see in our winners reassure us that the future of the industry is in great hands.”

Eve Gaut, Co-Founder of the Silhouette Awards, added: “The overwhelming response to this year’s programme has been truly incredible. We are so proud to see the Silhouette Awards evolve into a global movement that not only highlights emerging talent but also actively nurtures it through mentorship. The collaboration between mentees and mentors is what makes this programme so special, and we are thrilled to see it continue to make a real impact in the industry.”

The entire Silhouette Awards team also extends a huge thank you to this year’s sponsors for their commitment and support to the programme, becoming leading brands investing in the future talent of the industry.

Power sponsors Huda Lighting, Core sponsors ADO Lights, formalighting, Traxon e:cue and Light sponsors Intra lighting, Ligman, Signify and Vivalyte.

The Silhouette Awards has received widespread support from its supporters: A1 Lighting Magazine, APDI (Asociación Profesional de Diseñadores Iluminación), arc magazine, Designing Lighting, Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), Inside Lighting, Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) | Lightecture Magazine, LIT Design Awards, Lighting Design Magazine, Light Life Academy / Light en Light Academy, LUCE, Lytei, Society of Light and Lighting (SLL), STIR, VLDC, Workspace Design Show London, Wavelength and Women in Lighting.

The Silhouette Awards, is the first international mentorship programme in the lighting industry and next year marks the 5th milestone year celebrations. This significant achievement will showcase the past five years of supporting emerging talent and expanding a global community of lighting industry professionals. As the programme continues to grow and evolve, it brings together current, future, and past mentors, mentees, partners, and sponsors to recognise the impact of mentorship in shaping the future of lighting design.

For the Silhouette Awards the mission remains clear – to highlight and celebrate the next generation of lighting professionals. By providing a platform that builds meaningful connections between emerging talent and industry leaders, the programme not only shapes individual careers but also contributes to the future of lighting design as a whole. With another 6 months of inspiring mentorships ahead, the Silhouette Awards looks forward to seeing how this talented group will illuminate the industry with their creativity, innovation and passion.

The Silhouette Awards is a collaboration between Archifos and Parrot PR and Marketing.

To find out more about the Silhouette Awards and how you can get involved as an entrant, mentor, or sponsor, contact info@silhouetteawards.com

Company provides support and resources to apprentices at Northern Regional College in Northern Ireland

Leading lighting designer and manufacturer Ansell Lighting has joined forces Northern
Regional College in Northern Ireland to provide support and resources for the Electrical
Installation Apprenticeship course.

Ansell has built a strong relationship with a number of colleges throughout the UK to help
support students in learning about the latest lighting technology and products.
The College, which provides further education across four of the 11 council areas in
Northern Ireland from five campuses in Ballymena, Magherafelt, Newtownabbey and
Coleraine, is keen for the partnership to provide students with invaluable industry insights
and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art electrical components.

Ansell has supplied a series of product boards including downlights, retail and commercial
fittings, emergency lighting packs and its own smart OCTO lighting technology. These
boards, displayed within the College, allow students to interact with working products and
gain a deeper understanding of lighting solutions.
Each board includes detailed information about the luminaires and their benefits. One of the
projects students will undertake during their course this year involves designing lighting for a
hotel, with Ansell products playing a key role in the process.
Ansell representatives also visited Northern Regional College’s Newtownabbey campus to
meet with lecturers and students, sharing their expertise and offering real-world perspectives
on the industry.

Mark Rogers, National Sales Manager for Ireland at Ansell Lighting, said: “As a
manufacturer we recognise the importance of investing in and supporting the next
generation of electricians and installers, at a time when there has been talk of skills
shortages within the industry.

“Ansell Lighting was established in Northern Ireland and so we are particularly pleased to be
able to support students and apprentices in the region. We hope to see these students
flourish and work with us in their future careers.”

Speaking on the partnership, Iain McCart, Electrical Installation Lecturer at Northern
Regional College, said: “Ensuring our students are industry-ready is at the heart of
everything we do. By working with leading companies like Ansell Lighting we can provide our
apprentices with a more practical, relevant learning experience that gives them a real insight
into the world of electrical installation. These partnerships not only benefit our students
during their studies but also open doors for future employment opportunities in the sector.”

CU Phosco, the largest family-owned UK designer and manufacturer of exterior
lighting solutions, is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with
Energylight as its exclusive agent in New Zealand. This collaboration marks an
exciting step in expanding CU Phosco’s presence in the region, ensuring customers
across New Zealand have access to the full CU Phosco product range.

Energylight is a well-established New Zealand-owned and operated commercial lighting specialist, renowned for delivering innovative and effective lighting solutions.
With over 20 years of experience across both manufacturing and lighting specification, Energylight has built a strong reputation supporting engineers and architects to create solutions that enhance wellbeing in the lit environment.

Mike Geddis (TechIES), National Outdoor Sales Manager at Energylight,
commented on the partnership, stating:
“We are thrilled to partner with CU Phosco and add their high-quality solutions to our
extensive brand portfolio. CU Phosco’s expertise in exterior lighting, combined with
our knowledge of the New Zealand market, will allow us to deliver world-class
lighting solutions that meet the needs of our clients.”

Through this partnership, Energylight will represent CU Phosco’s full range of lighting
solutions, including highmasts, floodlighting and roadway luminaires, ensuring
New Zealand customers receive high-quality, reliable service, and seamless project support. The collaboration reinforces CU Phosco’s commitment to providing innovative, sustainable, and high-performance lighting solutions worldwide.

Chris Marques, Business Development Manager at CU Phosco, added:
“We are delighted to welcome Energylight as our official agent in New Zealand. Their
deep understanding of lighting specification and dedication to quality make them an
ideal partner for CU Phosco. This partnership will allow us to better serve our
customers in New Zealand and support the delivery of high-quality lighting projects
across various sectors

For more information, please contact: Energylight – mike@energylight.net or visit the
CU Phosco website www.cuphosco.com

Based on the box office smashes of Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, Magic Mike Live! is a
sizzling 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular that is in equal parts empowering and
exhilarating. Conceived by the film’s original star Channing Tatum, the show takes place at
London’s iconic Hippodrome Casino and features heart-racing dance routines that take
place in front of, above and around the audience. Due to the immersive nature of the
performance, the show has to ensure that its performers are fully safe at all times. As such,
they asked Solutions On Stage to design, manufacture and test bespoke steelwork for a
specific track used throughout the show, which had to meet the necessary requirements for
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Solution On Stage’s Technical Director Darren Williams comments: “A request came in from
the technical team for us to inspect the suspension of a section of track used in the show.
Whilst the track is part of the performance, it also acts as a piece of PPE and therefore has
to meet exacting safety standards”.

When it comes to any equipment being used for PPE, this has to be installed appropriately
and tested to a certain force – in this case a force of six kilonewtons (600kg). This would
more than adequately hold individual performers during their scenes on the walkway, as
well as act as a work restraint. Darren comments: “We created a mock-up of what had been
installed in the Hippodrome space in order to test the mid-span suspensions. Whilst an
initial solution proved to not be strong enough, we then trialed a box steel alternative which
more than adequately passed the required test criteria”.

Following this, Darren had their fabricator manufacture and powder coat the box steel
before the team returned to the Hippodrome to replace the specific suspensions. Darren
comments: “The show had a maintenance week in which various upgrades were taking
place, meaning this was our only window to install the steelwork. Once all of the new steel
sections were in place and suitably fixed to the track (which had to remain in place), we
then tested its durability by moving the full 600kg across the track. We also tested a track
fixed to the balustrade that the performers use. From this, we could clearly see the
installation would more than withstand the requisite weight and that it would now be
completely safe for the performers to use”.

Magic Mike Live! continues to run at The Hippodrome, having recently announced an
extension into August 2025.
Darren concludes: “Whilst shows like Magic Mike Live! are ambitious and offer audiences
something unique, this comes with certain caveats – in this case, having to go beyond the
normal expectations when it comes to the safety of the performers, and as a result, the

audience. We were thrilled to not only come on board and identify the issue but also
provide a solution with which the customer was extremely happy”.