Beam me up: award-winning invention from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland lecturer and student set to lighten the load in stage rigging
Faced with a challenge in rigging stage equipment for a theatre show, a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland lecturer and student were inspired to find a solution.
And their innovative idea has won the enterprising duo a top UK award … and looks set to transform the industry.
Steve Macluskie, who teaches on the Production Technology and Management degree, and Toby Cass, who graduated from the programme in 2024, won the ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform Idea of the Year for their Beam Strap invention.
A lightweight alternative to traditional beam clamps, it is designed to make rigging lighter loads safer and more efficient, reducing the need for hauling cumbersome equipment.
Steve explained: “It came about, as with many things, through the need for such a device on a production. We were hauling one-tonne beam clamps 15 metres up to the New Athenaeum Theatre’s grid for relatively light loads.
“The Beam Clamp fills the gap for suspending loads that weigh under a tonne without the need for heavy, awkward rigging.”
Early Concept CAD drawing of winning product idea, Beam Strap, drawn by Steve Macluskie
Steve and Toby, a third-year student on the Production Technology and Management degree course, put their heads together and developed 3D-printed models and a prototype to test their concept.
Steve submitted the Beam Strap to the 2024 ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform, which enabled them to have prototypes manufactured and load tested. First showcased at the ABTT Theatre Show in summer last year, it led to three global rigging manufacturers expressing interest in developing it.
“Flints, the UK’s biggest theatrical supplier, is currently developing the Beam Strap, so I hope it will launch at the ABTT trade show this summer and appear in their catalogue and website for purchase soon afterwards,” said Steve.
“If it is accepted by the rigging industry, we should see riggers with these as a standard part of their toolkit for lighter loads.”
Deborah Keogh, Head of Engagement at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Research and Knowledge Exchange, said:“ Warmest congratulations to Steve and Toby for their success at this year’s Virtual Ideas Platform.
“We were delighted to be able to support their development, facilitating access to specialist advice and support once they had their prototype ready for market. RCS is a locus for innovation, and the Production department at the Conservatoire is an exemplar of innovation in action.”
Ben Lyle, Managing Director of Flints, added: “Flints would like to congratulate Steve and Toby on becoming ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform winners. We feel that the Beam Strap is the perfect example of what the platform is all about, and we’re looking forward to taking the Beam Strap into commercial production.”
Alongside teaching, Steve remains active in the theatre industry as a qualified rigger and automation programmer.
Before graduating in July last year, Toby was offered an Integration Engineer role at TAIT, one of the world’s leading names in staging, scenic, and automation for live events.
Steve added: “It felt great to win – I have the trophy and certificate in the PTM staff office. It’ll feel even better to have it out in the market. And just yesterday, I had the spark of an idea for a new product, which may be submitted to the ABTT Virtual Idea Platform this year.”
The Beam Clamp was a unanimous winner for ABTT judges. Charles Haines, Virtual Ideas Platform concept designer, who presented Steve and Toby with their award, said: “Based on the interest shown at the ABTT Theatre Show, it will undoubtedly be a firm fixture in many a rigger’s tool bag in the coming year or two.”
The ABTT is a membership organisation created by technicians to raise standards in theatre and live performance.
Specialising in providing technical advice, consultations, training, publications, and resources, the ABTT provides members with networking opportunities through events, seminars, conferences, and exhibitions, including the annual ABTT Theatre Show.
The Virtual Ideas Platform, a collaboration between the ABTT and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, serves as an informal introduction service between independent creative innovators and commercial developers behind the sector’s leading brands, products, and services.
Main image: Steve Macluskie (left) and Toby Cass (centre) with ABTT CEO Liz Sillett © Origin8 Photography