Association of British Theatre Technicians

The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) is a British charitable organisation representing technical staff working within theatre.

Association of British Theatre Technicians
Formation1961
TypeProfessional association
Legal statusCharitable organisation
PurposeTo raise technical standards in the theatre
HeadquartersLondon, EC1
United Kingdom
Revenue
From the ABTT Theatre Show, conferences, training and membership subscriptions
Websitewww.abtt.org.uk

Overview

The ABTT was founded in 1961 by group of theatre producers, technicians and architects.[1] The association has played a role in ensuring that regulations are suitably drafted and enforced, publishing a number of recommended Codes of Practice for the theatrical industry and theatrical technicians.[2][3]

The ABTT's central aim is to "set out the physical standards for building and their equipment that are necessary to enable to good management of the premises and to provide the safety of the occupants in premises used for entertainment”.[4] The ABTT is a Charitable Organization under English law,[5] and operates throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The ABTT also has a number of volunteer technical committees which liaise with government and other organisations.[6]

Membership

The ABTT employs a small staff team led by CEO Robin Townley. The ABTT is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association and is registered as a charitable organisation with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It has 11 trustees who are appointed due to their expertise in areas including theatre and stage management, architecture, technical theatre, planning law and the performing arts. The Co-Chairs of the Trust are Mig Burgess and David Evans. The Vice Chair is Oliver Brown.[7]

The ABTT's funding is derived from its memberships, donations given by supporters and proceeds from training. The principal source of income is from events including the ABTT Theatre Show which is held annually.[8][9][10]

Remit

The ABTT was established by in 1961 with a central focus of ensuring "the advancement of …the technical subjects connected with theatre and theatrical presentation, fostering knowledge and the appreciation of the art of technical theatre".[4][11]

The ABTT offers guidance and advice through their Codes of Practice relating to planning, health and safety,[12] architecture regeneration and development, and design which concern theatres and places of entertainment. The ABTT's remit covers a large range of buildings which include both old and new theatres either used, disused or in other uses. Notably, it also includes buildings or structures that have been temporarily converted into theatrical spaces.[13][14]

ABBT Theatre Show
ABTT Theatre Show
StatusActive
GenreEntertainments Industry Technical Equipment
VenueAlexandra Palace, London
Location(s)London
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugurated1977
FounderAssociation of British Theatre Technicians
Attendance2500+[15]
Organized byABTT
Websitewww.abtttheatreshow.org.uk

The ABTT Theatre Show is an annual trade show hosted in London and organised by registered charity, the Association of British Theatre Technicians. The ABTT Theatre show draws exhibitors and visitors from all over the world interested in topics such as lighting, audio visual, scenography, rigging, set construction, technical theatre and related technologies.[16][17][18]

History

The ABTT Theatre show has been running since 1978, originally named The ABTT Trade show but rebranded in 2001.[19]

From 1980 the event was situated in the Shaftesbury Theatre; proceeding in 1981–82 to The Roundhouse and Riverside Studios during 1984–90.[20]

The ABTT then moved the Theatre Show to The Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch after deciding that an event space, rather than an exhibition hall would "provide everything we need to use… (with it being ) a quirky venue… exhibitors have welcomed the choice."[21] and since then Alexandra Palace has held the event from 2015 to present.[22]

For 2019 Isobel Hatton was appointed as Theatre Show Director and delivered the event at Alexandra Palace. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 42nd ABTT Theatre Show scheduled for June 2020 was postponed,[23] being run instead in collaboration with PLASA in 2021 from 5–7 September at Olympia London.[24]

Remit

The purpose of the ABTT Theatre Show is to bring together drama schools, Trade Associations and live entertainment under one roof to help explore the connection between these different Industries.[25]

The ABTT Theatre Show has been developed by the ABTT to be relevant across theatre, TV, film and commercial work. A broad range of technical disciplines are covered, bring relevant to venue operators, production staff, theatre consultants and students addressing issues of health and safety, codes of practice, live performance, academic development, and other relevant matters.[26]

Exhibitor Technology, Live performance and specialist advice is made available for a wide range of issues which relate to theatres and places of entertainment. These include theatre design, sound design, stage lighting, live performance, and issues relating to health and safety issues matters that relate to places of entertainment.[27]

ABTT Awards

Each year the Theatre show presents the ABTT Awards. In 2014, these awards were presented for the first time in combination with the National Awards for Stage Management in a joint ceremony with the Stage Management Association, with the host for the awards being actress Lesley Manville.[22][28]

Resources

The ABTT has a number of resources that contribute towards the promotion of health and safety within theatres and their technical equipment:

  • Codes of Practice: The ABTT joined with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contribute guidance on best practice within a variety of technical theatre fields.[29]
  • Technical Standard for Places of Entertainment – The ABTT is a contributor for this publication which was produced to offer advice of safe standards and good practice for all types of entertainment premises.
  • Sightline: The ABTT publishes Sightline – Journal for Theatre Technology and Design quarterly.[30] The ABTT also publishes health and safety, technical theatre books to guide users in best practice.[31]
  • Committees – The Trust maintains a number of committees that collaborate with organisations to further research technical and historical issues.[32]

References
  1. Tim Foster (2 March 2017). "Roderick Ham obituary | Art and design". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "ABTT Appoints Fellows to Acknowledge Outstanding Service to Theatre Planning". ETNow.com. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  4. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Charity overview". Apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  6. "Electrical installations in theatres and performance venues". Electrical.theiet.org. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  7. "PRESS RELEASE: ABTT Announces New Chairman | ABTT – the Association of British Theatre Technicians". Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  8. "21st Century Theatres – The ABTT Theatre Show: a place for management and technicians". Artsprofessional.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  9. "ABTT Theatre Show 2004". Etnow.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  10. "July 2016 – ABTT Theatre Show 2016 Highly Commended Award for Tiger Lifting Chain Block System – Rope Assemblies". Ropeassemblies.co.uk. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  11. "Risk & Technical: a new appointment". UK Theatre. 1 September 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  12. "Theatre". Hse.gov.uk. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  13. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Arts Council of Wales | Lottery Capital Programme: Major Capital Projects – Additional Guidance Notes". Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  15. "Moving forwards...2016 Prospectus" (PDF). Abtttheatreshow.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  16. "21st Century Theatres - The ABTT Theatre Show: a place for management and technicians". Artsprofessional.co.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  17. "ABTT Theatre Show 2004". Etnow.com. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  18. "July 2016 - ABTT Theatre Show 2016 Highly Commended Award for Tiger Lifting Chain Block System - Rope Assemblies". Ropeassemblies.co.uk. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  19. Bob Anderson. "ABTT TRADE SHOW 87" (PDF). Theatrecrafts.com. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  20. "The ABTI Trade Show 89, May 18–20" (PDF). Theatrecrafts.com. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  21. "ABTT Theatre Show finds new home after Royal Horticultural Halls loss - EN". Exhibitionnews.uk. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  22. "ABTT : Annual Report, 31 December 2015" (PDF). Abtt.org.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  23. Hatton, Isobel (14 April 2020). "ABTT Theatre Show 2020 Postponed". ET Now. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020.
  24. "PLASA and ABTT shows collaborate and co-locate for 2021". Stand Out Magazine. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021.
  25. "Alexandra Palace, ABTT Theatre Show Overview".
  26. "ABTT Theatre Show Content". Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  27. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. "ABTT : Annual Report, 31 December 2014" (PDF). Abtt.org.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  29. "Event safety - Useful links". Hse.gov.uk. 26 November 2019. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  30. "Sightline Spring 2017". Etnow.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  31. "Sightline Spring 2014". Etnow.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  32. / Jane Ronson (1 March 2016). "The Association of Performing Arts Collections – Archives Hub Blog". Blog.archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
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