Stay up to date with the latest happenings in the live events and technical production industry. From product launches and training sessions to behind-the-scenes stories and project highlights, our news section is where you’ll find it all.
Get the scoop on what’s new at DWR, follow our journey with industry partners, and discover the people and moments that make our community so unique. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, information, or innovation — this is the place to be.

Successful Roadshow, thank you
10 March 2011 With courtesy Louise Stickland The Robe ROBIN Roadshow in South Africa was a tightly organised and hugely well attended series of 3 events staged in Johannesburg (at the University of Johannesburg Theatre), Cape Town (the Baxter Theatre) and Durban (The Natal Playhouse Company), co-ordinated by

Our boys are F.I.N.E. fine
04 March 2011 If you’ve called the DWR Distribution office this week, you may have experienced a lack of staff. Most of the team have been on our Roadshow, while the remaining skeleton crew have purchased a bottle of Jacobs coffee and occasionally order in toasted sandwiches to keep going

Prolyte mourns
03 March 2011 We know that the Dutch make a good truss – “Prolyte” – but their cricket needs a little work. Well done to the Proteas on their crushing victory today! Score: South Africa win by 231 runs…. we’ll say no more. Save As PDF

Thank you Durban, thank you JHB…. Cape Town see you soon!
02 March 2011 What a turn out this has been, the Roadshow 2011 with Robe, MA Lighting and DWR Distribution. A BIG thank you to everyone for your support! The show started off in Durban on Monday, 28th Feb, where the response was overwhelming. In fact, we were absolutely

We are expecting a couple of little ones
24 February 2011 Introducing the new VL440 and VLX3 Luminaires Because you asked for them, Philips Vari-Lite has created smaller, more affordable versions of two of its most popular luminaires. The VL440 Spot is based on the workhorse VL3000 Spot but weighs less than 50lbs

Roadshow
24 February 2011 Download PDF Robe, MA Lighting and DWR Distribution join forces to present a South African Roadshow. Join us for hands on demonstrations on the Robin Series, grandMA consoles and meet up with international representatives and the DWR Distribution team. The Roadshow runs from 9am to 5pm, and

Pure Event Gear for Joburg Fashion Week
24 February 2011 Pure Event Gear, formally known as Pure Sound, purchased 72 x Philips Selecon SPX 25 50° Zoom Profiles to assist them in pulling off the very successful Joburg Fashion week held over five days at five different venues during February 2011. In 2010, Pierre

Robin 600s for Silverstar
23 February 2011 Just over a year ago, the team at Silverstar Casino were blown away by ten Robin 300 Spots they had purchased. It was going to be difficult to beat the wow factor of this punchy light output captured in its light-weight casing. Then in December 2010

DWR pay if forward
23 February 2011 With courtesy Louise Stickland Robe lighting enjoyed an “Awesome” PLASA 2011 exhibition at Earls Court in London, combining flair, innovation and action with many highlights including the showcasing of new products, plus the launch of the ROBIN DLX Spot – the world’s first RGBW LED based

Robe bowls everyone over at New Age Friendship Concert
21 February 2011 Robe moving lights took centre stage for the New Age Friendship Celebration Concert in Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa, a Bollywood spectacular following the Standard Bank International Pro20 international cricket tournament between India and South Africa. This visual extravaganza of spectacular proportions was the first

Magnificent U2 tour the globe with grandMA
18 February 2011 Copyright Ralph@Larmann.com On Monday morning, 14 February 2011, it was no coincidence that the roads seemed much quieter. Many people had put in a day’s leave. It was easy to identify the U2 fans… how we have aged since the young days when it would

Vari*Lite is my safety net
17 February 2011 *We saw this article on the PLSN website and thought you may enjoy reading it. Thank you Philips Vari-Lite for supplying the original press release and great pics. Carlos Colina, Atomic Lighting and Philips Vari-Lite at the Latin GRAMMY® Awards Dallas, Texas –

Sound Decision is gearing up
03 February 2011 Pier Schutte, Nicola Gamble and Cedric Novello There’s an up and coming company… watch this space. Sound Decision is set to enjoy success in leaps and bounds. “Cedric Novello who established Sound Decision reminds me of Mark Gaylard of MGG just over ten years ago,” agree

SA welcomes LumenRadio
03 February 2011 Duncan Riley (DWR) with Anders Ardstål (LumenRadio) and Miranda Oliver at Glen Afric. LumenRadio, leaders in wireless lighting controls with their reputation of delivering on their promise, is taking the world by storm. VPO, Anders Ardstål, visited South Africa for the first time in January

New Age Friendship Celebration Concert
27 January 2011 Courtesy Louise Stickland Over 40,000 excited cricket fans packed the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, to see India clinch victory over the Proteas (South Africa) in Sunday’s Standard Bank International Pro20 international cricket tournament, in the process, making history as the biggest crowd

Our Cable Guys
21 January 2011 Goodwin Gaidi, Arthur Siko, Simon Ndlovu and Philemon Maepa Things are pumping in the DWR Distribution cable production line overseen by the remarkable Philemon Maepa. In the last ten months since his appointment, we have manufactured well over 25 000 metres of cable. Knee deep in

New Ground Support Roof for MJ
19 January 2011 Thank you Robert Izzett for the photos – Courtesy Vaughn Marti, MJ Event Gear In preparation for a future event, MJ Event Gear began 2011 by erecting their new MPT Prolyte ground support roof structure. The primary objective of the exercise was to double check

Prolyte for East Coast Production
14 January 2011 At the end of 2010 East Coast Productions took ownership of their first Prolyte Ground Support structure. Within three weeks of its arrival, the ground support had been used on four different events. Neil Nadauld, “Boss Man” at East Coast Productions, says the structure is one

Vari-Lite for Mamma Mia!
10 January 2011 Photos with kind courtesy of Pat Bromilow-Downing “Sophie Sheridan” played by Caren Pretorius Denis Hutchinson was the South African Associate Lighting Designer for the punchy production of Mamma Mia! which ran recently at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town and the Montecasino Teatro in Fourways from the

DWR closing times
15 December 2010 What a year it has been! Many in the industry were surprised when even after the World Cup the work kept coming. For that we are thankful. With the Christmas holidays upon us, DWR Distribution would like to extend sincerest gratitude to everyone for your valued

1st Robe LEDWash 600s on JLS
10 December 2010 Courtesy Louise Stickland The very first batch of the new Robe ROBIN LEDWash 600 LED Wash fixtures off the production line in the Czech Republic were delivered to leading UK lighting rental company HSL, with 40 of them going straight out on JLS’s UK arena tour,

Prolyte roof for DNG
06 December 2010 DNG Sound and Audio Visual are first in South Africa to take ownership of a Prolyte Flat Roof. They built it for the first time for the Proudly Bidvest Charity Walk held at The Wanderers held earlier this year where admittedly it took a nerve wrecking

Bush launch for Amarok
02 December 2010 The magnificent Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal was the setting for the launch of Volkswagen’s Amarok, held in October where the set, sound, lighting, AV and Power was provided by Strike Productions. “The client’s brief was that the lighting and set had

NOW-ology by MGG
25 November 2010 The Vodacom Business NOW-ology seminar, attended by 1 000 delegates, was held at Vodaworld Midrand at the end of October with the full technical supply by MGG Productions. “The event demonstrated future technology,” explains Mark Gaylard, owner of MGG. To give an example (quoting from the Vodacom

Strike in Mauritius
19 November 2010 … the postcard read, “wish you wer here.” The best thing about doing a gig in Mauritius is knowing that there is a professional rental company on the island stocked with familiar brands to partner with. No…there won’t be time to let your hair down, as

New recruits!
16 November 2010 Dave Whitehouse and JC du Plessis It is our privilege to welcome Dave Whitehouse and JC du Plessis, both remarkable individuals, to DWR Distribution. Dave Dave is an established lighting designer having won various LD Awards. He has also worked as a consultant, but more

Idols VI Final
04 November 2010 A stunning performance with a lighting display second to none, saw Elvis Blue voted as South Africa’s newest Idol on Tuesday evening, 2nd November. To Joshua Cutts who did an amazing job as LD, and to the technical crew, working really hard behind the scenes to

Good times for Strike
03 November 2010 MTN’s i-Phone launch Strike Productions are moving full steam ahead, the company having changed ownership almost a year ago with Leah McCrae at the helm and key players in management ensuring one successful event after the next. Kurt du Preez joined the group three months ago

Integrity for Sexpo 2010
29 October 2010 Over 50 000 people in four days walked through the doors of Gallagher Estates for the Johannesburg leg of Sexpo 2010. For the second year running, Integrity Promotions provided the full technical supply and support for the show which is scheduled to travel to Cape Town

Technical savvy at Wits
26 October 2010 The Wits Theatre’s Moving Light Workshop held on the 2nd October was met with interest from students ranging from those studying architecture to fine arts and even a fine photography student curious to know how to photograph haze. The all girls “Wits Theatre Honor Crew”,

Gearhouse supplies Loeries 2010
26 October 2010 Courtesy Louise Stickland Gearhouse South Africa supplied full technical production to the 2010 Loerie Awards staged at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town, South Africa for the second year running. The event was again produced by H-Factor, with a production and set design by

CitySkapes for Circus Allegria
26 October 2010 After many years of discussion and planning, in October 2009, Neil Cohen and Marcello Di Lello, a fifth generation circus entertainer from a famous Italian circus family, began building their dream – Circus Allegria. This modern take on traditional circus shuns the use of performing

AVO Inspiration for The Parlotones
08 October 2010 U2 were not always famous. Go see The Parlotones up close and personal while you can…. we have an inkling they are going to be even bigger. Travis Yeatman, using an Avolites Tiger Touch, is the local lighting designer for one of South Africa’s most

Lighting the choir
07 October 2010 Black Motion has been on the move with Imizwilili, a SABC 1 programme that highlights youth choirs and presents choral groups in a fresh and exciting manner. The show, broadcast every Sunday, is shot across South Africa and neighbouring states, with locations including The Voortrekker

A touch of Black Motion
07 October 2010 An intimate and tasteful ambience was created at the P & G Awards, hosted at Monte Casino’s Ballroom during September. The event, which saw the global company acknowledge good performers within their group, had the lighting supplied by Black Motion Productions. The services of

Outstanding lighting for Idols
01 October 2010 The sixth season of M-Net’s Idols is well on its way and the show, broadcast from the Teatro in the Mosaiek Church, Fairlands, has been nothing short of spectacular. The stage looks phenomenal, performers are doing a great job and the lighting is amazing –

And now… there are 18 units!
30 September 2010 (Above): Cosmopolitan Lingerie Show at Upper Eastside Hotel Ultra Event Technical Solutions now have 18 Robin fixtures after six new Robin600E Washes were delivered to their premises in Observatory, Cape Town last week. “We use our fixtures regularly” commented Costa Champanis, owner of Ultra

Spectacular Bidvest Awards
27 September 2010 Story courtesy Louise Stikland and photos by Duncan Riley Gearhouse South Africa supplied design and technical production – including rigging, lighting, visuals, AV set and audio – to the 2010 Annual Bidvest Chairman’s Awards, one of South Africa’s highest profile corporate events, staged at

2010 MTV Video Music Awards
27 September 2010 CREW: Lighting Designer: Tom Kenny Produced By: Jess Ignatovich and MTV Set Designer: Florian Weider Gaffers: Mike Grimes and Ronnie Skopac Programmers: Mike Appel and Dan Boland Techs: Jason Livingston and John Ellar EQUIPMENT PROVIDER: Illumination Dymanics VARI*LITE EQUIPMENT: (60) VLX Wash Luminaires (150) VL3000 Spot

LAMP available from DWR
23 September 2010 Christiaan Ballot from Blond Productions used LAMP for Big Brother All Stars, 2010 DWR Distribution are pleased to offer the industry LAMP full colour video LED display units. Local rental companies became familiar with the brand three years ago and owners of LAMP include

Gearhouse supplies Johannesburg Day Concert
22 September 2010 Courtesy Louise Stickland Gearhouse South Africa designed and supplied a full technical production package to 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s 2010 Johannesburg Day event (in association with Santam), produced by Primedia and staged at Riversands Farm in the leafy Johannesburg suburb of Fourways. Gearhouse’s project manager Dave

DWR features in L&SI
20 September 2010DWR features in L&SI Download PDF The DWR Distribution team (Absent: Nick Britz & Judd Harrison) A special word of thanks extends to Louise Stickland for the article (as below) which appeared in “Lighting & Sound International magazine, Aug-Sept 2010”. Thank you also to L&SI. Visit: https://www.lsionline.co.uk.

The Purr Factory
16 September 2010 Denis Hutchinson designed both the set and lighting for The Purr Factory, directed by Alby Michaels, which is the latest family fun-filled rock musical, performed by the UJ Song and Dance Company. We asked Denis to answer a few questions on the show, which runs from

School invests in equipment
14 September 2010 Renzia Coetzee, who co-ordinates entertainment events at Hoërskool Langenhoven, has taught accounting for the past 18 years. Winds of change have seen the school move from an all white Afrikaans school to a now black English School. More recently the school has opted to purchase their

The Campbells upgrade to Robe
07 September 2010 South African country music duo, The Campbells, recently purchased 10 Robe Club 250 Scanners and a Le Maitre Hazer. Hardworking brothers, Tony and Harry Campbell, who recently won the SAMA “Best Sokkie Dance Album of the Year” for their CD Mamma Maria, perform 120 shows

Robe has green light at PLASA
27 August 2010 Courtesy Louise Stickland Robe launches a major new green initiative – “Think of the Future – Consider Nature” – at PLASA 2010 to underline its ongoing commitment to developing and producing genuinely cutting-edge, innovative and energy saving products. Using Robe’s latest products, the renowned booth lightshow

AVO love comes to SA
10 August 2010 Meet two of the nicest possible people in the industry, the eternal salesman Koy Neminathan and technical mastermind Phil Blue from Avolites, who visited South Africa from the 5 to 15 July 2010. The lads mistakenly booked their flight to land in Cape Town International, a

Panjo and 13 others find their way home
29 July 2010 Panjo the missing Tiger has been found, but little does everyone know that 13 others have also been adopted in South Africa. Some are awaiting their permits, having just landed from England, whilst the rest are getting familiar with their new surrounds, lapping up the new

Gearhouse helps close World Cup in style
Courtesy Louise Stickland Gearhouse South Africa was contracted by ceremonies producers VWV Group to deliver all technical aspects of the amazing Closing Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup – including rigging, power, sound, lighting and large format projection (which was contracted out to French-based ETC) –

Robe lights Worlds largest football
14 July 2010 Courtesy Louise Stickland Robe CitySkape Xtreme LED fixtures were utilised to illuminate what’s been officially declared by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest soccer ball of them all! The 15 metre high ball currently resides at the Emperor’s Palace Hotel, Casino Convention &

DWR goes wireless with CRMX
14 July 2010 DWR Distribution is pleased to provide LumenRadio´s CRMX Nova and CRMX Outdoor to the South African market. This wireless DMX, RDM and DALI technology, developed by pioneers of wireless light controls – eliminates long cable runs and is able to provide full reliability in the the most challenging environments.