The international tour of Top Hat included a 10-day run in Japan this autumn, at the Umeda Arts Theatre. Japan is one of the most far-flung locations for Orbital Sound's rental division, although South Africa, New Zealand and South America also feature regularly on the schedule.

For MD Chris Headlam, taking a show such as Top Hat to Japan epitomises the reputation that Orbital Sound has established as one of the world's most successful international rental companies. He explains: "For more than 20 years, we have concentrated on one important thing – providing the best possible equipment and exceptional service, anywhere in the world. The principles don't change from country to country, although of course some of the working practices do. It's all about careful preparation and of course, experience.

"Live entertainment has a magical quality, particularly in this modern high-tech age we live in. Bringing that magic to audiences involves meticulous planning, technical expertise and importantly, an understanding and feel for how to deliver the same high quality night after night. We like to think that we can bring the same professionalism to a production, whether it is a high profile corporate event such as the recent Jaguar F-PACE launch in Frankfurt, a big hit musical opening in Moscow, Paris or Tokyo, or a pantomime in a regional UK theatre. The fundamentals are the same, wherever you are working. It's what we do, every day of the year and it still gives us a fantastic buzz to be working on a truly world stage."

Top Hat's sound design is by Gareth Owen.