With a wealth of experience in theatre production, a love for music spanning David Bowie to Fontaines D.C., and a soft spot for acting icons like Gary Oldman, Emily Blunt, and Meryl Streep, Conor brings not only expertise but also passion to his role.
Having joined us last December, Conor’s background in rigging, theatre, and production management is as extensive as it is impressive. From the West End to regional theatres across the UK, his experience is an invaluable addition to our team. Rigging is a vital part of live entertainment productions, and Conor’s knowledge ensures we can deliver the highest level of support and expertise to our customers.
We sat down with Conor to learn more about his journey, his role, and his tips for anyone in need of rigging solutions.
First off then, Conor – what’s the focus of your new role?
"My role is both customer-facing and strategic. I’m here to provide expert advice to customers while driving the growth of our rigging sales. This includes developing strategies to expand our product offerings, whether that’s introducing new ranges or updating existing ones.
"Rigging technology evolves constantly, and the demands of modern productions push the boundaries of what’s possible. My day-to-day focus is on working alongside my colleague, Oli, to identify and deliver the best solutions for our customers.
"I specialise in a few areas, such as rigging and flying system installations, motorised drape systems, and rigging for large-scale theatre productions. These are all areas where I can help customers navigate complex technical challenges."
“Rigging technology evolves constantly, and the demands of modern productions push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Given your knowledge and expertise, tell us a bit more about your background.
"I come from a very traditional theatre background. I started out as an Assistant Stage Manager, then Deputy Stage Manager, and eventually Stage Manager at rep theatres around the UK. Early on, I developed a particular skill for prop making, which was a lot of fun and taught me attention to detail.
"My career naturally evolved into production management, where I worked on large-scale musicals. I even had a stint lecturing before moving into stage electrics. Later, I worked with Terry Murphy Scenery, building for the West End and beyond.
"I’ve held roles such as Technical Director for the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, where I was also the Project Manager for its construction and opening. After that, I moved to the Northampton Royal Theatre and later spent two years running workshops at the RSC. More recently, I managed an opera festival every July in Dorset.
“It’s been a varied and rewarding career that’s given me a deep understanding of what productions need, from the ground up.”
What was your last job before you came to us?
"I was working at J&C Joel as a Project Manager. My focus there was designing and installing infrastructure for entertainment venues, which tied in perfectly with my love for combining creativity with technical solutions."
Let’s talk about those many live performances you’ve seen. What do you remember most?
"There are a few unforgettable moments that stand out. Seeing Turandot at the Royal Opera House was a transformative experience. The scale and beauty of it really stayed with me.
"Another standout was the opening night at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, a project I had been so deeply involved in. It was a moment of immense pride.
"And seeing Darcy Bussell dance for the first time – that was absolutely spellbinding. It’s moments like these that remind you of the magic of live performance."
“It’s moments like these that remind you of the magic of live performance.”
And finally, what’s your top tip for anyone looking at new rigging?
"Tell us everything about your production. We need to know the creative vision, the technical challenges, the scale of the production, and, if it’s touring, how long you’ll be on the road. The more details we have, the better we can tailor our solutions to your needs. Rigging is all about precision, and the right setup can make a world of difference."
“Rigging is all about precision, and the right setup can make a world of difference.”
Conor’s arrival marks an exciting chapter for our rigging team, and we’re confident his expertise will help us continue delivering exceptional service to our customers. Welcome to the team, Conor!
If you’d like to discuss your rigging requirements, contact Conor on +44 (0)113 386 9103 or email conor.mcgivern@ac-et.com.