The main Gannochy Auditorium is a completely flexible concert Hall space, and it's here that the two tensioned wire grids are installed. The grids were, originally specified by theatre consultants Carr & Angier as the safest way for technicians and maintenance staff to work flexibly at height in the roof space above the stage and auditorium. Slingco's Nick Dykins was contacted by BDP two years ago as the build entered its final phases, and asked to submit a tender for the grid installation.
The installation was project managed for Slingco by Nick Dykins, the Rochdale-based company's entertainment industry specialist. One single CABLEnet covers the space directly above the stage, measuring 20 metres wide by 7 metres deep. The second one covers the orchestra pit and the auditorium area immediately in front of that, it consists of six separate but conjoined CABLEnets, measuring a total of 16 metres wide by 5 metres deep.
The CABLEnet system is created by weaving and tensioning high tensile steel cable within a frame, which is then hoisted to the required level in the theatre or concert hall to create a safe 'virtual floor'. Lighting, audio, AV technicians and riggers can then work on this with complete confidence, says Slingco.
Perth Concert Hall is the 5th CABLEnet installation for Slingco in Scotland, following two in Glasgow, one in Stirling and one in Edinburgh. The sixth one will be installed in the Glasgow Concert Hall.
(Jim Evans)
