2011 Brick Award goes to Lyric Theatre in Belfast

The Lyric Theatre, Belfast  has won the award for hte Best Public Building category at tge 2011 Brick Awards and also the prestigious Supreme Winner award.  The new Lyric Theatre opened in may 2011 and included the demolition of the existing theatre and the construction of a new building providing an auditorium, rehearsal room , and studio together with technical facilities, a reception, bar/foyer, offices and an education room.

Architects O'Donnell + Tuomey won an international arhcitectural competition held by the Lyric to design the new theatre facility, impressing judging panel chaired by Bob Allies of Allies and Morrision who described the development  as 'an example of outstanding architectural commitment with beautiful interiors that cleverly links with the street scene.

Built on an epic scale, the Lyric is sited between the surrounding Belfast brick streetscape  and the serpentine parkland of the River Lagan.  The new building holds one corner of the continious system of brick streets and has been built brilliantly to match the surrounding  local 'Belfast brick'.  Built by brickwork contractor, Gilbert Ash NI using Heritage Red Blend bricks form Ibstock, the natural day lighting of the building is both sustainable and enhances the brickwork.  The cleverly designed theatre is a constant surprise with new spaces at every level, a truly community building.

Barking's Broadway Theatre faces closure

One of Theatreplan's buildings faces closure after the local authority announces proposals to cut all the funding to the 340-seat venue.  The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is currently considering a propsal to terminate its grant to the venue beyond April 1, 2012.  The theatre opened in 2004 and is the only facility of its kind in the borough.  It has already taken on a £100,000 cut to its £431,000 annual grant from the council in 2011/2012, with a further £65,000 saving planned for 2012/2013.

Despite putting forward proposals to completely cut the Broadway's funding, the  council's budget report states:  "This is the only venue of its type in the  borough and so it provides a unique offer.  It needs to be recognised that the provision of a professional and high-quality theatre is a important element of the plans by the council and its partners to regenerate the town centre and in economy."

There is an obligation on the local authority to keep the Broadway building operational, as it is used as the base of Barking and Dagenham College's performing arts department.  However, the Broadway's artistic director and chief executive Karena Johnson said  that all the professional work at the venue would be axed if the cut is pushed through.  The budget proposals are currently  being considered by councillors before the cabinet takes its final decision in the coming months.  In the meantime, Barking and Dagenham is inviting members of the public to comment on the proposals online or by attending certain council events.

Building Design's Architect of the Year Awards

Theatre is delighted to be associated with three projects cited in this year's Building Design's Architects of the Year Award; two of which were with Stanton Williams.

The awards were announched during the shell and core design phase of the
development of University of the Arts building  The new building in Kings Cross will be Theatreplan's benchmark the physical and technical criteria for the theatre fit-out and principle lecture theatres. There are four performance spaces - 250 seat theate, Studio Theatre, White Box and Black box spaces.  At a similiar time, we were also supporting Stanton Williams with advice and guidance on the layout and fit-out of the lecture theatre within the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge.

Theatreplan also worked with Henley Halebrown Rorrison on the auditorium design for Junction in Goole. 
This compact theatre space seats 173 tucked in to the end of a 1980's market building.  Theatreplan also designed the technical theatre systems through to tender stage.

Stanton Williams won Gold Award (sponsered by Schüco) and Education Architect of the Year - 6th Form to University (sponsored by Armstrong).

Henley Halebrown Rorrison won Public Building Architects of the Year Award - which is sponsered by Butler and Young.

Many congratulations to all this year's winners.

 

Scunthorpe venue officially unveiled

The new Baths Hall venue in Scunthorpe opened it's doors for the first time on Friday 11th November.  It's played host to the comedian Bill Bailey who entertained the crowd  with his comedy and Peppa Pig references!

The new venue that cost 14 million was designed by North Lincolnshire Council's own architect team, built by Clugston Construction and will be run by SMG Group who run a variety of sports and entertainment venues across the country - I hope you have been taking notes, you will be tested later - SMG's Nick Reed said:  "This is a very special time  to be involved in The Baths Hall.  We're opening a building to be enjoyed for years to come.  We are also aware we're following in the footsteps of a venue that meant many different things to many different people over the years."

The 1930's frontage has been retained and the auditorium boasts seating for 1,000 and up to 2,000 standing.  The next show at the new venue is The Scunthorpe Choral Society on Saturday 26th November.  Please go to www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk to book your tickets and this forthcoming shows.   

All change at the Harold Pinter Theatre

.....where? I hear you ask.  The Comedy Theatre in Panton Street, London of course.  Not only has the historic London Theatre had a name change but the auditorium has had a face lift and the fly tower and stage engineering have upgraded.

Theatreplan associate Matt Atwood wrote the detailed Heritage report for the Grade II listed building in December and the work has been ongoing since then.  Foster Wilson Architects were responsible for the new decor in the Auditorium.  Opening night for the new show 'Death and the Maiden' is on 26th October.

Remember, Remember, the 5th November......

.....Not only is it fireworks night but it is also the grand opening of another of Theatreplan's buildings  - The Old Fire Station is Oxford's new hub for creativity, entertainment and learning.

Home to Crisis Skylight Oxford and owned by Oxford City Council, the Old Fire Station will offer performances and exhibitions for everyone. It also plans to provide support for emerging artists and development for Arts within a business framework.

For further information visit:

www.crisis.org.uk/oxford

www.oldfirestation.org.uk

Looking forward to seeing you all at the opening!

The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe

Work is progressing well on installations at the The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe, one of the many Theatreplan buildings that are due for opening this year.   The tensioned-wire grid by Slingco spans across both stage and auditorium to provide safe access to rigging points and sound and lighting systems at high level.  You can make out the back wall of the stage through the mesh.  High level lighting and sound panels are still being wired by electrical contractor Tricon with theatre specialist TMC.  Clugston Construction Ltd are the main contractor.  You can also see the rolling beams (top of the image) that will provide spot line hoist positions anywhere in the auditorium.  There are also fixed hoists by Centre Stage Engineering  above the stage for proscenium truss, speaker array and upstage drape and lighting.  There will be more news on the removable auditorium seating, a collaboration between Centre Stage Engineering and Auditoria Services, to follow once these are on site.  The Baths Hall is due for practical completion on 28 October.  It is owned by North Lincolnshire Council and will be managed by SMG.