How to choose the right portable staging setup

For any type of performance, be it a village or school play, choral recital, musical rendition or other forms of entertainment, a raised platform is essential to ensure the audience has an uninterrupted view of the production taking place. In the UK we call these platforms stages and they can be found in all types of venues up and down the country, in many different shapes and forms.

In schools, village halls, churches, function rooms, venues, corporate facilities and other public spaces - for gigs, weddings, conferences and talks, a stage is an essential piece of kit. 
Sadly, not all venues can afford the cost of a permanent stage, let alone the space that they take up. That’s when a portable and modular stage comes into its own.

There are various types of modular stages. Some demountable stages are vast and require a team of riggers and heavy machinery to assemble. Others are far simpler and can be handled and assembled successfully by one or two people. In some instances, even children can get involved in the construction of the stage (with suitable adult supervision of course!)

Stages in the marketplace that are manufactured using heavy-duty materials, such as galvanised or epoxy-coated steel are designed for significant loadbearing. These stages are heavy in weight and generally described as semi-permanent.

Lighter versions of stages are often manufactured using lightweight materials, including aluminium, with strong and durable components that provide great flexibility for the users to assemble and disassemble. These stages are particularly useful where space is at a premium and clearance for other purposes is a strong criterion.

Care must be taken when considering the right stage for your venue, organisation, learning establishment or group. Whilst cost is a key factor that ultimately decides which route you take, there are equally important factors to be considered leading up to that final decision.