Author: Steve Chapman

Absolutely no problem if it rains on your parade.

Yes, unlike other theatrical reveal systems, Electro Kabuki dropper modules and cables are fully weatherproof.

We use military-grade, sealed connectors in the design, and industrial levels of weatherproofing for the dropper module housing – the action-end of an Electro Kabuki system (that’s one of them, above, lying in the snow to prove its hardy credentials).

It means you can rig Electro Kabuki outdoors and use it dependably time-after-time, come rain or snow. No more fiddling with plastic bags as clouds loom over your festival. The show will go on.

Continue reading

The Flints Team Gets Hands-on with Electro Kabuki

Just before Christmas, we hosted a team from our London-based Electro Kabuki distributors Flints at our HQ in Surrey. This was the first of what we expect will be many training sessions on the EK system over the next few years for Flints and other distributors.

Our distributors have staff who field questions on Electro Kabuki from their customers. Sometimes they’re technical queries; sometimes it’s about price and quite often it’s about what’s possible with the Electro Kabuki system. We took the opportunity to bring the Flints crew up to date.

Continue reading

Electro Kabuki – Always Ex-Stock

Sometimes the day after tomorrow isn’t soon enough. It may be a small point, but we know fast delivery is often a big issue for professionals in an industry that’s famous for tight deadlines. That’s why all Electro Kabuki components, parts, spares and systems are held in stock at our UK headquarters in Surrey, ready for immediate despatch worldwide.

In addition, our distributors also hold stock of Electro Kabuki parts and spares. That gives you plenty of ‘just-in-time’ options should you ever need something in a hurry.

Continue reading

Silence is Golden!

Apologies to 60’s pop group The Tremeloes, but yes, silence really is golden. Especially so if you’re staging a theatrical reveal during an opera or ballet. Or a conspicuously quiet moment during a stage play, for that matter.

Did you know that Electro Kabuki’s dropper modules are completely silent? They go about their job reliably and 100% dependably without so much as a whisper, let alone a shout.

But we really should shout about it!

Continue reading

PLASA 2018 – all about automation

A visit by the Electro Kabuki team to this year’s PLASA exhibition at London Olympia revealed an industry as loud and lively as ever. Automation seemed to be a recurring theme. That notion was supported by what appeared to be even more companies offering automated solutions for staging events, large and small.

That’s good. Automation is at the centre of our ambitions with Electro Kabuki. Even a modest investment in an Electro Kabuki starter pack or a basic system automates the reveal effect, making it dependable. Adding a DMX firing box automates it further.

Continue reading

Circuit 1 versus Circuit 2 – What Does it Mean?

Electro Kabuki dropper modules are internally hard-wired at the time of manufacture and designated as ‘Circuit 1’ or ‘Circuit 2’. The designation of each module is marked on the product label and stamped into the metal load-hook jaw.

If you’re rigging a simple drop, you will want all your dropper modules to actuate in one go. In this case, it makes no difference whether you use Circuit 1, Circuit 2 or a mixture of both. The firing box allows you to fire them all simultaneously.

Circuit 1 or Circuit 2 dropper module designation only becomes significant when you rig a more sophisticated reveal effect, like a flop and drop or phased drop (see the EK System page for configuration examples). And the good news is that you can still control these advanced effects from a single firing box, connected to the rig by just one cable.

Continue reading

Fancy your EK with no strings attached? Let us know what you think.

We’re looking at options to take EK wireless – hence the ‘no strings attached’ headline. Should really be ‘no cables attached’, but you get the idea.

We already have EK users out there in entertainment land who have implemented their own wireless EK systems. Our friends at Wiltshire-based Quantum SFX developed their own control system based around our EK modules. They often deploy this wireless kabuki drop solution as part of their remit in staging prestigious events. If you need a pyrotechnics and special effects company to stage your event, give Quantum a call.

Our other options include developing our own wireless solution. A feasibility study is on our schedule. What we’d really like to know is the potential level of interest. We design and build EK modules and controllers. So no one knows the innermost details of Electro Kabuki engineering like us, which is why we’re favourably disposed to the notion of wireless.

Continue reading

Three Ways to Source Your EK System.

We thought it would be worth pointing out to all our blog readers that a comprehensive array of support exists for anyone who wants to purchase an Electro Kabuki system.

We have made the EK selection process as easy as possible via the Get A Quote page. But we know that specifying the right components for more sophisticated kabuki drop applications might still appear daunting. We’re here to help.

Continue reading

Great EK editorial coverage in Germany

Respected German publication, KEM Konstruktion, requested editorial information on Electro Kabuki for its Hannover Fair preview edition. The magazine covers equipment and technology used in staging, theatres, cinemas and product launches, so we were only too happy to oblige. Colleagues at our parent company in Germany – Magnet Schultz Memmingen – are exhibiting Electro Kabuki among the organisation’s electromechanical products and solutions on show at the trade fair.

The KEM article gave us a fine opportunity to explain the innovative engineering features in EK while providing some valuable additional awareness in a country known for its dynamic theatrical market and heritage.

You can check out the EK editorial coverage in KEM Konstruktion online or in the PDF version of the printed magazine also viewable online. You’ll need to scroll to page 44 for the latter. And you’ll need to be able to read German to understand either!

It’s worth pointing out that the Hannover Fair is the world’s leading trade event for industrial technology, and one of the largest too. This year it takes place at the Hannover Messe from 23rd to 27th April. If you’re able to visit the show, be sure to see the Electro Kabuki display on the MSM stand H07 in Hall 15.

Electro Kabuki Suits All Sorts.

Looking over our recent orders for Electro Kabuki reveals (no pun intended) a surprising array of applications that are a perfect fit for EK’s technological staged reveal capabilities.

Among the systems despatched to all four corners of the world, we have uses that include parachuting Brussels sprouts (yes, really! – and that should explain the image) during a festive performance at a highly-regarded London theatre, reveals for two major international opera companies, and a cruise ship show featuring a high-profile ‘Strictly’ celebrity.

Continue reading

Scroll to top