The chain hoists form part of an end-to-end system that AC Rigging supplied to Northern Stage Theatrical Productions in Newcastle, UK for its Christmas production of Peter Pan, as well as future productions.
The system supplied by AC Rigging was specified to fly scenery during the show, with the ability to expand it in the future.
AC Rigging, a division of AC Entertainment Technologies Ltd, converted the chain hoists to make them operable with two Kinesys Elevation 1+ vari-speed controllers, with AC Rigging saying the Elevation 1+ motion control system turns an electric chain hoist into a fully functional variable speed device.
Other elements of the system include pulleys, track and rigging accessories to allow the flying systems to traverse and divert to specific positions on stage. As a result, accurate positional scenery cues can be programmed at speeds from 0-16m/min.
“The system is very user friendly, easy to rig, set up, programme and operate, making it easier to swap operators in the event of absence etc,” said Chris Slater, production manager at Northern Stage.
“The software was impressively simple to learn, taking just one day to work out.”