Is your performing arts space ready to re-open?

Many universities, schools and theatres are using lockdown as an opportunity to refurbish,
repair or even repurpose their dance and performing arts facilities.

Harlequin is the world leader in advanced technology floors and stages for the performing
arts. Established in the UK over 40 years ago, Harlequin is the performance floor choice for
the world’s most prestigious dance and performing arts companies, theatres, venues,
universities and schools, production companies and global events.

Harlequin’s experience and reputation are founded on the design, manufacture, supply and
installation of a range of high quality portable and permanent sprung and vinyl floors and
studio equipment chosen by the world’s leading venues – from the Royal Opera House to the
Bolshoi Theatre, the Paris Opera Ballet to the Sydney Dance Company.

As lockdown eases Harlequin’s installation teams are working with partners and clients to
ensure we can carry out scheduled and new works where it is safe to do so.

Following UK Government site safety regulations and social distancing guidelines, the
Harlequin team are on hand for site visits and installations. All Harlequin operatives have
been briefed on the Public Health England (PHE) Site Operating Procedures (SOP) and Risk
Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) have been updated accordingly.
Where face-to-face site visits are not possible, we can work with clients over Zoom or
Microsoft Teams to carry out a ‘virtual’ site visit.

As performing arts facilities re-open, the need for social distancing will be a major
consideration. In many cases, rooms and spaces within facilities will need to be re-purposed
to allow dance and other performing arts to be practised safely.

When lack of dedicated dance space becomes an issue, Harlequin’s Hire Service enables
customers to hire our renowned Harlequin Liberty sprung floor panels on a short or long-
term basis in order to increase the area available for dance. We even have sprung dance
floors that can be used outdoors if required – our Harlequin Liberty HD panels are coated
with a black polymer resin on both sides and have a textured, high grip pattern on the top
surface, which is wear-resistant, anti-slip and weatherproof.

Harlequin also has a range of tapes that are specifically designed for dance vinyl and can be
used as distance markers without the risk of damaging the floor.

Social distancing will not be the only challenge facing performing arts facilities as they re-
open, cleanliness and hygiene will also be of paramount importance.
Harlequin provide a range of cleaning products designed specifically for use with Harlequin
vinyl performance floors.

Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner contains the biocide Benzalkonium Chloride which provides
antibacterial properties and has been proven to be effective against most bacteria and
viruses, including novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

A good cleaning regime is critical. Daily use of Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner is a minimum
good practice and will maintain the optimum performance of your Harlequin performance
floor while keeping it hygienically clean, reducing the likelihood of any harmful germs,
bacteria or virus accumulating on the surface of the floor. More frequent use is acceptable if
required and is recommended if there are frequent changes of personnel using the floor –
after lessons, for example.

In these difficult times it is worth noting that specifying the correct floor for dance and
performing arts is critical to the safeguarding of dancers, helping to protect them against the
risk of slips, falls and long-term stress injuries. A good dance floor instils confidence in
dancers to give full expression to their creativity, safe in the knowledge the dance floor will
offer a consistent response.

Although dancers may not be the commissioning clients, they are the end users. When
specifying a floor for dance, using general flooring or sports floor standards will not ensure
the right floor is installed.  Only a floor developed specifically for dance will do.
Harlequin continues to work with dance industry specialists around the world to research
and develop floors that support the physical demands of dancers and give them a floor they
want to dance on.   

For more information about specifying the correct floor for dance and performing arts, visit
our website www.harlequinfloors.com. For product information and advice, please contact our technical team on enquiries@harlequinfloors.com or call +44 (0) 1892 514 888

From the EPS Magazine, March issue 2021, page 2