LONDON — Working with theatre consultants Theatreplan, Stage Electrics supplied and installed the audio, video and Ethernet infrastructure along with the lighting control systems for the newly-built Caryl Churchill Theatre at Royal Holloway University here, including more than 5000m of audio cabling and 3000m video cabling. Along with custom communications racks, the project included relocating patch panels for loudspeakers and microphones and a new paging system including an RCF amplifier and Penton paging speakers.
More details from Stage Electrics (www.stage-electrics.co.uk):
Affiliated to the University of London, Royal Holloway University prides itself on its reputation for having one of the UK’s leading drama and theatre departments with an international reputation for the quality of its research in many different aspects of drama, theatre and performance studies.
The Caryl Churchill Theatre, which opens this month, replaces the University’s pre-existing 30-year old black box ‘Studio Theatre’ with a new, flexible, future-proof facility that also incorporates two large rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, a workshop and a new foyer.
Its new auditorium offers an increased seating capacity of 178 seats arranged around three sides of the auditorium and over two levels, with a third level entirely dedicated to technical operations and control.
Stage Electrics was appointed by builders Morgan Sindall to supply and install the infrastructure elements as specified by theatre consultants, Theatreplan.
Theatreplan’s John Whitaker worked closely with Sean Brennan of Royal Holloway University and the Stage Electrics’ team of design and commercial manager, Mark Larcombe and technical project manager, Martin Woodage, to establish the best solutions for each element and deliver a theatre that was functional, flexible and future-proof.
Stage Electrics was tasked to provide and install the audio, video and Ethernet infrastructure along with the lighting control systems. This included more than 5000m of audio cabling and 3000m video cabling.
Stage Electrics’ custom-built communications racks are sited in the amplifier and control balcony, each with mains distribution as required, and incorporate Kramer video processing and distribution modules. Patch panels for loudspeakers and microphones are installed across the building allowing them to be moved and relocated as required for maximum flexibility.
A new paging system has been installed comprising an RCF amplifier and Penton paging speakers. Show relay is provided through RCF wall/ceiling-mounted show relay speakers which are controlled by Stage Electrics-manufactured control panels and supplied with microphones and a number of desktop and wall mounted paging points.
Stage Electrics has also supplied an intercomm system of Altair dual-channel belt pack and single muff headsets complete with extension cables, breakout cables and master station, with outlets on the facilities panels.
Front-of-house, Stage Electrics installed a Sennheiser Infra Red Assisted Listening system with two channel modulators which has been proven, in previous projects, to be the most efficient and versatile system to aid audience members with hearing difficulties.
All customized lighting, audio and video facilities panels were manufactured in-house by Stage Electrics and labeled according to requirements at each location. In addition, architects Foster Wilson specified a precise RAL color for the panels throughout the whole building to ensure uniformity, which Stage Electrics was able to match because the company’s in-house manufacturing capabilities allows complete control of every step of the fabrication process.
“We were pleased that Stage Electrics won the technical outfitting contract,” says Brennan. “We have used them for equipment purchases over the years and have always been satisfied by the level of service we have received. Stage Electrics are a large national company but they maintain a personal approach. They were communicative and helpful throughout the building and commissioning process and encouraged us to phone with any questions or concerns. There was some hard value engineering on this and I was impressed by the various options and alternatives they brought to the table.
“The college and department are extremely satisfied with the technical installation in the theatre which is neat, intuitive and functional. The Caryl Churchill Theatre has become the flagship venue within the department offering a level of flexibility and user interface that makes the building a pleasure to work in for researchers, students, academics and technicians.”
