Theatrical London: Setting The Scene is a special insider's look at selected London entertainment venues, from the historic to the most cutting-edge. This event will take place September 8-10, 1999 immediately following the annual PLASA trade show in London, England. Up to 50 participants will take private tours of the Victorian machinery at the Drury Lane Theatre and the newly renovated Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. A boat trip (including lunch) on the Thames is planned to take participants to the new Millennium Dome for a sneak preview. The event also includes performances of Candide at the Royal National Theatre on Wednesday evening, September 8, and a musical in London's West End on the evening of Thursday, September 9. A farewell breakfast will be held on Friday.
Each of the tours and performances will be followed by panel discussions with designers and technicians, including Mark White, theatre consultant for the Royal Opera House, Brian Raven from White Light, Nikki Scott from Stage Technologies, and Mark Jonathan, head of lighting for the Royal National Theatre, as well as guest speakers from the London theatrical scene. The goal of the event is to offer participants a chance to see the latest developments in entertainment design and technology at work in new and renovated venues, with a touch of the historical thrown in to illustrate where it all began.
Theatrical London: Setting The Scene has been organized by PLASA, the UK-based Professional Lighting and Sound Association, and ESTA (Entertainment Services & Technology Association), in conjunction with the World Entertainment Technology Federation. The fee to participate is $435 for Thursday and Friday; $575 including the performance and dinner at the National Theatre on Wednesday evening. Participants are responsible for their own hotel accommodations (underground passes are included for transportation). To register or request additional information, please contact ESTA at (212) 244-1505.