Alan Jacobi Passes AwayLSi reports that following a long illness, Alan Jacobi LVO, the founder of Unusual Rigging, passed away peacefully at home on April 13, aged 67. Jacobi began his career at the Old Vic. He soon moved to the lighting department of the National Theatre, under the directorship of Lord Olivier, and assisted in the theatre's subsequent move to its current home on the South Bank. He continued to build his comprehensive technical knowledge of show production and toured the world as a freelance production electrician with theatre shows, music, and concert production. Forming Unusual Rigging in 1983, he expanded the company in 1990 to incorporate the production of large-scale national and international events. In 2018, Jacobi was voted by his peers to receive the Gottelier Award in recognition of his work towards raising the profile and professionalism of the rigging industry. On receiving the award, he said: "I am so very honored ... to know how much support I have from industry peers, friends, and colleagues. They not only voted me the winner of this year's award, but have been a source of support over the years as we strive to give riggers the credit and professional respect they deserve." Jacobi -- known affectionately to many in the industry as AJ - had long championed the need for training and education in the sector and was a driving force behind the National Rigging Certificate (NRC) accreditation scheme since its inception in 2005. Awarded an LVO in a special honors list drawn up by the Queen for his work on the production and co-ordination of the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the VE day 50th, Jacobi worked solidly to make rigging an acknowledged and established profession. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time. A full statement from Unusual Rigging will follow later this week. 
|
