At sea with Harlequin

British Harlequin has been involved with stage and dance floors for a number of cruise liners. Here we look at three of the most recent. 

Former prima ballerina and latterly ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Darcey Bussell will probably feel at home aboard P & O’s latest fleet addition - the Azura - thanks to the presence of Harlequin floors. As ‘godmother’ of the brand new 115,000-ton ship, Darcey Bussell has several dance areas to choose from. Black Harlequin Cascade is on the main stage of the 750-seat theatre as well as in the Explorer Lounge and black Harlequin Marine Cascade on Deck 5. Installation by British Harlequin, commissioned by Stage Technologies, called for a team of four working for two weeks over a three-week period that included sea trials and split between Trieste and Monfalconi, Italy. 

A more challenging work environment was experienced installing black Harlequin Marine Cascade and repairing the stage sub-floor during a major re-fit of Starcruises’ Superstar Libra moored in international waters off Port Klang, Malaysia. Working in extreme heat and humidity and without the benefit of air-conditioning, the Harlequin installation team took to sleeping in deck chairs beneath the stars at night to escape the unbearable heat of their cabins. 

It was black Harlequin Cascade too for the dance floor aboard the Sun Princess, a project managed by Harlequin Australasia. 

CDET promotes Recognised School scheme

The Council for Dance Education and Training’s Recognised Schoolscheme is a national mark of recognition awarded to dance and musical theatre schools working with pupils under the age of sixteen. Launched in 2008, the RS scheme has been extremely well received in the dance world. Schools gaining the award have been able to enhance their reputation as a professional organisation, stand out from other dance schools in their area and gain exposure through the Council’s database and website. 

The Recognised Schools scheme recognises dance and musical theatre schools that follow professional practices and are committed to putting the safety of their pupils first. Schools need to meet the Nine Requirements of sound professional practice in order to be eligible. The Nine Requirements include suitable dance floors, standard practices such as holding adequate insurance, enhanced CRB checks for all staff, following a Code of Professional Conduct and employing qualified or experienced teachers, all elements which the Council believes every dance school should follow. 

The scheme is open to dance and musical theatre schools in the UK catering for pupils under sixteen years of age and costs just £100 per year. More information can be found on the Council’s website www.cdet.org.uk . 

Dance event feature stars of the Royal Ballet

Harlequin Liberty sprung floor panels were hired for a recent evening event organised by the Covent Garden Dance Company to launch the Choreographic Fund and give the local community a chance to experience classical ballet. 

Artistic Director, Matt Brady told us, “The evening was a great success attended by a diverse and enthusiastic audience who loved every minute. We had everyone here from the local postman to famous authors - the atmosphere was amazing.” 

Photo: The Royal Ballet’s Principal Laura Morera warms up on Harlequin Liberty sprung floor before guesting at a gala ‘At The Chapel’ in Bruton.

Harlequin bronze sponsor of London conference

British Harlequin plc is a bronze sponsor of the 2010 ‘Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference’ which opens in London, June 13th. British Harlequin plc has an established global reputation as leaders in advanced technology flooring solutions for dance and the performing arts. 

Harlequin’s range of floors, developed in close consultation with performers, meets a range of different needs from barefoot dance styles to the more aggressive and abrasive tap and flamenco and general purpose stage surfaces. Harlequin sprung sub floors used in conjunction with an appropriate dance surface provide ‘traction’ and ‘spring’ that allows dancers to perform with confidence and a degree of protection against the type of injuries associated with performing on hard, unyielding floors. Harlequin continues to work closely with medical research into the relationship between floor characteristics and long-term injuries. 

Harlequin also plays a leading role in the advancement of standards through the work of ESTA and other organisations while fully complying with existing standards such as DIN 18032 Part ll. The company produces a guidance document for architects and theatre planners, presenting considerations relevant to specifying floors for the performing arts. Performer requirements are prioritised and the important differences between sports and performance floors explained. Harlequin also offers RIBA core curriculum CPD seminars, specifications can be accessed via NBS Plus with more information online at our Architects’ Area. 

Michael Bublé on Harlequin Hi-Shine

If you didn't watch it, have a look at the clip of 'An Audience with Michael Bublé' and check out the black Harlequin Hi-Shine flooring!

Bob celebrates 70th birthday

Celebrating his milestone 70th birthday with colleagues from British Harlequin plc was founder and chairman Bob Dagger. A special cake after the style of a bottle of Gordon's gin was cut by Bob to help everyone commemorate the event. 

Harlequin dance floor workshop at ABTT

Silver Sponsor, British Harlequin’s stand will include a dance floor workshop when the company exhibits at the ABTT Theatre Show 2010 to be held at London’s Royal Horticultural Halls, 16th & 17th June. 

Also on show will be a wide range of examples from Harlequin’s extensive range of floors for the performing arts. Visitors will able to examine many different floor types with expert support on hand to provide guidance and advice. Although widely recognised as world leaders in floors for dance and the performing arts, Harlequin also provide special flooring for theatre stages, television studios, exhibitions and display. Harlequin manufactures a comprehensive range from portable, roll-out floors to cushioned, heavy duty permanent floors, plus permanent and touring sprung floor systems. These are complemented by a range of accessories including tapes and cleaning products, roll straps, storage bags and an extensive range of ballet barres. Immediately prior to the ABTT Theatre Show British Harlequin is a sponsor for The Theatre Engineering and Architectural Conference which takes place at Central Hall, Westminster.

Harlequin supports dance floor research project

British Harlequin has supported new research into the relationship between dance floors, performance and injury. Findings emerging from this study by Luke Hopper flag up the risk of ankle joint stress due to hard, sub-standard floors and demonstrate the ability of dancers themselves to sense changes in dance floor properties. Dance institutions are now better informed to work with dancers in ensuring dance floors are chosen that will help dancers to dance better, stronger and longer. Emerging dance scientist and biomechanics expert Luke Hopper outlines his pioneering research investigating the effects of dance floors on dancer performance and injury. Read the full story at http://www.harlequinfloors.com/uk/news.html

Harlequin visits Leeds exhibition

British Harlequin exhibited recently at PLASA Focus in Leeds.

First officially ISTD licensed dance studio in Japan has Harlequin floors

Lisa Maria Sawamura owner of the British Ballet Arts dance school in Mie-Ken, Western Japan and Japan’s first UK officially licensed ISTD studio, chose Harlequin Cascade dance flooring. 

The spacious, light and airy studios called for 2 x 25m and 1 x 15m rolls of grey Harlequin Cascade covering 130m². Double wall mounted ballet barre brackets and beech barres along the mirrored walls also featured in the new studio. The British Ballet Arts dance teaches ballet to adults and children as well as jazz, tap, national dance and Pilates and lessons can be designed to meet individuals’ level. 

Lisa Maria adds that her interest in ballet was awakened at the early age of five when her mother took her to see a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House. 

Blue Studio floor - time to order

For generations of dancers British Harlequin’s famous Studio dance floor has been black or grey, but now a new version Studio 149, is available in pale blue. 

Harlequin Studio is a special hardwearing floor covering designed for dance, studio and stage use. The hard-wearing vinyl surface, now with a pale blue option, provides a slip-resistant floor to reassure performers and offer a predictable surface to give confidence to dancers for demanding choreography and movement. The firm but lightweight foam backing helps to protect against hard sub-floors and stays firmly in place when laid on any hard, smooth surface, such as particle board, hardwood, terrazzo or concrete or affords an excellent surface for a sprung sub-floor. 

Harlequin Studio 149 pale blue is in stock now with samples available on request. For larger studios, British Harlequin can discuss the possibilities of producing customised colours.