It’s been a tough time trying to get to grips with the April Bank holidays! We’ve been thrown a bit by the schools’ Easter timetables all being out of synch with each other. Maltbury’s Brighton office won’t be open on the various bank holidays coming up so be sure to order your staging and backdrape accessories early to avoid delays on deliveries over the Easter and Royal Wedding weekends.
Order before the end of April to take advantage of our Easter Leggs offer! Free steel or aluminium legs with every Steeldeck or Metrodeck order!
Contact Staging Sales or Backdrape Sales now to make sure you get your parts on time and enjoy your bank holidays in peace!
Well...try to!
We’re looking forward to exhibiting at the PLASA show this month. The PLASA show is one of the most important events in the UK for anyone interested in audio, lighting, video and staging.
Some companies use the show to launch or promote new products and as well as exhibiting our Metrodeck and Steeldeck staging systems, Maltbury will be showing off our new Backdrape packages. We’re going to use the show to test a potential new addition to our Backdrape item – an LED light Starcloth. The Starcloth will be controlled using a multi-function remote that’s got Philip, our gadget-mad director, very excited (boys and their toys!).
Joining Philip at the show is our sales manager Kate. Both Kate and Philip will be at the show on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th April. Come see them at stand RA-C5 as well as a huge variety of other exhibitors this April in Leeds. Take part in the free seminars andtraining workshops as well as the Exhibition show by registering for your free ticket here.
Last week’s sunshine fooled me into thinking that sunbathing on Brighton beach after work would be a good idea. After much shivering and no tan perhaps it’s still a bit too early in the year for such optimism! So instead let’s have a gander at what’s on in Brighton. There’s a huge choice this season! Our Metrodeck and Steeldeck customers have so many brilliant theatre, music and comedy acts this Easter I’ve had to pick just a few of my favourites. For full listings check out the venue’s websites!
Catch the Western classic ‘Calamity Jane’ at Komedia from 5th – 10
th April. Saloons, Stetsons, guns and Indians and a fantastic score make this a great show for all ages! More info.
Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Russel Kane for one night only at Komedia 19th May 2011 is going to be a sure sell-out! Don’t miss out, booking info here!
Brighton Dome also present some hilarious comedy acts in April with the likes of Ed Byrne and Micky Flanagan 
(got my ticket all ready!) Click for more info.
For music lovers Katie Melua is performing at Brighton Dome on the 25th April. Her new album ‘The House’ promises melodic, jazz-inflected pop with new sounds of folk, burlesque and even 
warped electro rock! Book tickets here.
Plain Handrails
Maltbury staging handrails bolt on the outside of our decks usually through the truss. A backplate provides a stable clamp on the inside of the frame. Because they can be attached through the deck’s truss the handrails can be positioned almost anywhere on a deck – they are not limited by needing to be secured through bolt holes.
There are two standard formats. By far the more popular is the plain style (pictured) although we also offer a grille style which fulfils the 100mmm sphere safety test: a ball of this diameter must not be able topass through the rails at any point. This is supposed to represent a small child’s head and so is usually only required where small children are known to be present.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
We also make custom-designed rails for some of our non-standard jobs as at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (pictured).
Metrodeck handrails or Steeldeck handrails can be ordered to fit your existing staging decks or you can include them when your first stage order. Contact us for more information about stage handrails.
Since signing up to the 10:10 pledge in 2009 Maltbury has been constantly implementing ways to lower its carbon emissions:
Energy! We are continuing to use Good Energy as the electrical supplier to our warehouse. We have experienced brilliant customer service with their super friendly staff and we know that we’re reducing damage to the environment by using renewable energy. We even feature on their website!
So green thumbs up for our warehouse but what’s our Brighton office doing to be the greenest it can be?
Recycling! Our stacks of food cartons and paper are recycled by the lovely Brighton Paper Round team (formally Magpie Commercial). Despite the name change they’re still the same ethical recycling company we know and love and we’ve used them to recycle our broken printers and ancient fax machines! Click for more info.
Transport! The Maltbury staff walks or cycles to work every day. Great for the environment and it means the office 
is open however wet, windy or snowy it gets!
Small Things! Maltbury know small changes can make a big difference which is why we use Ecover cleaning products, choose organic tea and milk and turn off any electrics when they’re not in use.
See our Environmental Policy page for more info and look out for our next 10:10 blog!
Whereas before we only offered theatre backdrapes, we now also offer two types of backdrop! So I thought a quick blog keeping you in the know would be appropriate.
Performance Backdrape
We still offer theatre backdrop systems, now known as Performance Backdrape. Their sturdy baseplates mean they support thick wool serge drapes safely and their adjustable uprights and crossbars allow for infinite versatility.
But the exciting new addition on the Maltbury scene is the Event Backdrape! Because it’s portable, suitable for a tight budget and comes with shimmering Ivory drapes this system is typically used for wedding backdrops, party backdrops or any special occasion backdrop! Some customers just buy the pipe frame as they have their own special drapes, like Starcloth, that they want to attach.
Event Backdrape
We’ve had loads of interest in both our Backdrape packages. Although many customers find they want some parts from both systems – not a problem at all because all the parts are modular, making it super simple to custom build a pipe and drape package. We’ve found that people are also using them as room dividers and for exhibitions.
Unfortunately we don’t hire backdrops out but our customers tell us that buying a backdrop frame tends to work out cheaper then forking out cash to hire one out even a couple of times.
Click here for more information and check our downloads page for prices. Or simply drop me an email and I’ll be happy to help!
I thought I’d covered all the bases when discussing Stage Legs in the last Product Blog – but turns out I missed out one jazzy use! Well, I say Jazz, but actually I mean Zumba! Zumba is the latest craze in dance exercise and we’ve been handing out advice and quotes to teachers of Zumba who want a safe and convenient stage to shake their booty on.
1, 2, 3 Zumba!
Stage leg heights are paramount when considering a stage for teaching dance (Zumba or otherwise!). Whilst it’s essential that everyone can see the teacher it’s also important that the stage height is safe for the teacher to be jumping around on. As Maltbury customise our legs to any height, we can provide a stage that is safe and robust but that also allows for the whole class to see what move they need to master next!
For more info on Zumba check out the UK website. If you’re interested in receiving a quote get in touch with us at the office or find out more information about dance stages here.
A Free 100g Bar with you Quote!
Based in Brighton, Maltbury Staging are lucky enough to have a huge choice of some of the best British chocolate companies right on our door step – which made it simple to decide on what we should offer our customers this Valentines.
And although we hate ourselves a little for following the Valentines’ gimmick, I think you’ll forgive us when you see how un-cheesy (figuratively and literally!) the chocolate we’ve chosen to give away to you is!
The Independent calls Montezuma a ‘food superhero’ for their innovative and delicious flavours, high quality chocolate and ethical production.
All you need to know is that it tastes divine and how to get you mitts on some!! It’s easy, just call or email us with you your 
Staging or Backdrape requirements and we’ll give you a no-obligation quote AND a 100g bar of Montezuma chocolate!
“DID YOU KNOW!? We’re offering a free set of legs with every stage order made in March 2011! Click for more info!!”
We’ve had a lot of orders recently for different sized stage legs from customers who have already purchased a stage from us.
Modular Stage Legs
This is always encouraging as it means customers are really taking advantage of the versatility of their modular decks.
At one height the decks are already versatile – being able to change from a proscenium stage to a catwalk or even to in the round. But with different heights all sorts of stage formations are possible.
Boxhill School recently bought new legs for their stage and used them to make a raised platform that made the ‘bed’ in their Arabian Nights production – I’ve requested a picture as this has intrigued me!
Tiered Staging
Apart from offering different stylistic design choices, having different sized legs at your disposable means the stage can be customised for specific purposes.
Legs can also be used to create a raked stage whereby the stage is slightly sloped down towards the front of the stage. Or the different leg heights can be used to make a tiered stage for a choir or for tiered seating.
We have re-designed our stage legs so they can now be used either way around. This makes assembly easier as there is less to think about!
Our Steel legs are also priced very competitively – did you know four 200mm legs will cost just £8? Bargain!
A Very Important Date!
Get involved in this special Brighton night! Double V Productions would like to invite you to some March madness at their Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Latest Music Bar. Entry fee is £5/£4 with fancy dress or with a ticket. (All proceeds go to the Rocking Horse Appeal children’s charity.)
With Alice in Wonderland themed fancy dress, drinks promotions, burlesque and comedy, this promises to be a truly fun filled night. And there’s the possibility of meeting genuine Maltbury Staging staff!
Doors open at 7pm and the first 104 people through the door will receive a free raffle card, so make sure you’re not late for a very important date!