The 130-cover site has a rich heritage. Formerly used as a stable for elephants and horses by the Royal Opera House in Victorian times it was most recently trading as a jazz venue when the two entrepreneurs saw it.
The aptly-named Circus - which has been designed by Tom Dixon - features a quartz dining table running the length of the club which transforms into a dance platform later in the evening. This is surrounded by a bar at the far end and a second dining room to the side of the DJ booth, as well as a lounge set to the rear of the venue.
London-based AV integrators, The Sound Division Group, have specified the first new Allen & Heath Xone:DX with Serato ITCH software to enable Adam Davies to fulfill his dream of having the venue entirely under computer control, with recording and four deck mixing.
Now installed, the Xone:DX, is a 20-channel USB soundcard featuring total integration of the full 4-deck software, with the ability to send up to 168 individual MIDI control messages and connect to external devices - all operated from a dedicated Mac laptop.
Adam Davies says, "My goal was very specific. With this system DJ sets can be saved, with everything mixed and ready to go. Also I was concerned about DJ's playing what they wanted and with this I can restrict them to playing what's on the hard drive. I can also link the other PC to my lighting system, and when we have an act playing I have all the cues automatically programmed."
The music plays out to the four zones through Martin Audio's architectural AQ loudspeaker range, with eight AQ8's surrounding the main dining stage area and multiples of AQ6 in the secondary dining area, bar and lounge, reinforced with a recessed AQ212 (sub behind the DJ booth. These are powered by a combination of Martin Audio MA1.3S and MA 900 amps.
Two powerful 400W UV cannons have been installed, one either side of the stage, with the purpose of illuminating the trapeze artists/performers. Within the lounge there is a second smaller stage podium with a dancing pole, and here performers are illuminated with PAR 16 Birdies and a Minuette Fresnel.
(Jim Evans)
