As the Hong Kong Coliseum does not have a stage, no resident stage manager is arranged to take charge of the management of stage facilities, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department said today.

It made the statement in response to media enquiries on the absence of a resident stage manager at the venue.

The department said its performance venues such as the Cultural Centre and Hong Kong City Hall, have stages and are equipped with stage facilities and installations to support cultural and arts activities.

Hence, resident stage managers are deployed at these performance venues to execute daily stage operation and provide stage services; supervise stage artisans; liaise with hirers to resolve technical problems; assist with the update and preparation of technical data on stage facilities, stage plans, technical drawings and the stage production equipment inventory list.

These stage managers do not possess the qualifications of registered engineers nor are officers responsible for certifying the structural safety of the stage. If hirers would like to install large-scale structures or mechanical installations at these performance venues, they are required to engage qualified professionals to certify to the department that the stage so erected and installations set up are sound and safe, which is similar to the arrangement for the coliseum.

The department also pointed out that the coliseum is a multipurpose venue for hirers to hold sports events, large-scale concerts and other programmes and it is adapted based on hirers' different needs.

As the coliseum does not have a stage, no resident stage manager is arranged at the coliseum to take charge of the management of stage facilities. The entire stage and other installations for performances in the coliseum are set up by the hirers.

Hirers are required to engage at their own cost, qualified professionals who should certify to the department in writing that the structures and/or equipment erected and installed are sound and safe upon completion of the set-up.