Press Release: Harlequin Liberty Switch Wins Three Prestigious Awards, Including ABTT Engineering Product of the Year 2023

Harlequin, the global leader in flooring systems for dance and the performing arts, is proud to announce that its revolutionary new product, Harlequin Liberty Switch, has received three prestigious awards, including, at the recent ABTT Theatre Show, the highly coveted ABTT Engineering Product of the Year 2023. This recognition reaffirms Harlequin’s commitment to providing the performing arts community with the highest quality cutting-edge products available.

Harlequin Liberty Switch, introduced at the end of 2022, is a groundbreaking modular, multi-use flooring system that seamlessly transitions between a sprung dance floor and a rigid theatre floor at the touch of a button. Using pioneering technology this multifunctional floor enables performers to adapt their space according to their specific needs while providing the highest standards of safety and comfort.

The engineering behind Harlequin Liberty Switch enables carriages running on low-friction rails to engage or disengage stop blocks on the underside of the Liberty panels, transforming the floor effortlessly from rigid to fully sprung in less than a minute. Harlequin Liberty sprung panels, renowned worldwide for their excellence, make up the upper part of the floor, sitting above base units housing the actuators and the mechanical components. The system is linked to a master control unit located off-stage and is controlled using an intuitive touch screen display.

The advantages of Harlequin Liberty Switch are far-reaching. The system optimises space utilisation, saving both time and money by offering a flexible multi-use floor within the same area. With significant reductions in the manpower required for changing from a heavy-duty stage floor to a sprung dance floor, Harlequin Liberty Switch streamlines operations and eliminates the need for expensive ballet wagons or floor storage. The speed of transformation also ensures less ‘down time’ between performances.

The system can also be fully customised to specific customer requirements. For example, areas of the floor can be isolated to create rigid zones for the placement of pianos or scenery while maintaining a uniform and consistent shock-dampened sprung dance floor across the rest of the stage. Features such as traps and lifts can easily be accommodated if required.

Harlequin Liberty Switch has won awards for its innovative design across the world, including the Best Debuting Product Award at LDI Las Vegas in 2022 and the DTHG Technology Product Award at Showtech Berlin earlier this year. The triple award recognition for Harlequin Liberty Switch speaks volumes about its exceptional design, functionality, and impact on the performing arts industry.

“We are thrilled to receive these prestigious awards, including the ABTT Engineering Product of the Year 2023,” said Guy Dagger, Group CEO at Harlequin. “Harlequin Liberty Switch represents our commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance the performance experience while addressing the practical needs of our customers. This recognition serves as a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise in developing cutting-edge products for the performing arts community.”

Harlequin continues to work with industry professionals, researching and developing products that are practical and cost effective whilst putting the needs and safety of performers first. The company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in flooring technology and supporting artists and performers worldwide in achieving their creative vision.

To see Harlequin Liberty Switch in motion, watch our product video here.