Having exhibited at ABTT for the past six years, Sparks Theatrical Hire has decided to make an honest company of itself and join the ABTT as a member!

"I don't know why we haven't done it before," says Managing Director, Paul Anderson, between breaks from lighting The Revengers Tragedy at the National Theatre. "We fully intended to but I guess we just got carried away testing out the ice-cream flavours for the show stand! However, now we have that sorted, we thought it was about time we joined up properly!"

Sparks will be present at the show again this year in their usual position (Lawrence Hall, Stand 106) where the stand will be manned on both days by Anderson and Sales Manager, Caz Williamson.

"We are exhibiting at ABTT as it is a great time to catch up with the customers without having a van to load or unload," says Williamson. "It's good to meet people we only talk to on the phone and it's also a great way of introducing Sparks to people who haven't come across us before."

Sparks will be showing samples of its hire stock which include lanterns from ETC, Strand, Robert Juliat and CCT, movers from High End and Vari*lite, Rainbow scrollers, smoke and effects machines from Look Solutions and Le Maitre as well as mirror balls and Sparks own brand of dimmable fluorescents.

Following on from the success of the Sparks Supermarket, Sparks will also be promoting its sales division.

"People have really taken to our Supermarket, which we opened at our premises in London's Surrey Quays about four years ago, and we do a good trade in the usual consumables like gel, tapes, cable ties, pyro, gobos and fluid," explains Anderson. "However, customers often do not realize, until they come to us, that we also offer larger items for sale including dimmers, lanterns and trussing. We deal with manufacturers including Robert Juliat, Selecon. Zero 88, LSC, Doughty and James Thomas Engineering and can offer our customers a one-stop shop for all things lighting. We think ABTT is a great forum for bringing this to people's attention."

Sparks Theatrical Hire are a small efficient team offering friendly service, humour and a ‘can do' attitude alongside a genuine love of the end product. And if that is not enough, Sparks will also be serving its traditional icecream and Pimms on the stand.