A lighting bar, in a
theatre, is a
metal (normally
steel or
aluminium) bar, usually the width of the
stage, on which
lights are hung. Some lighting bars are just plain bars, and
cables are
taped to them. Others have
sockets built in, and with a
multicore, or
multiple plug tails coming out of one end.
If the bar is
ready-wired, then it can be a lot more
convenient, but is also less
flexible - you end up needing lots of
short extension cables if you need lights packed together more tightly than the
sockets are on the bar. On the other hand, taping your own
cables in can be more
flexible, it is also a lot more
work.
If you're after any other theatre tech information, then do take a look at '
Everything you ever wanted to know about theatre tech, but were afraid to ask'