In July 2008, champagne corks popped as the venue was handed over, fully kitted out with a remarkable automation and flying system that incorporates 76 winches and 12 portable point hoists, a grid that encompasses the entire performance area and a control system comprising two mobile Nomad desks and two handheld Solo consoles.
Visibility was a key element of the brief, with the project directors wanting to be able to exhibit the performance area to a wider audience at the press of a button. To achieve this, two Delstar Engineering, automated, 32-tonne, L-shaped steel perimeter walls flank each side of the stage house, separating the stage and the foyer. When these are lifted, the stage can be viewed, and even accessed if required, from street level. In addition, the theatre has two auditoria, and Delstar Engineering acoustic curtains can be employed to reshape the audience area according to specific requirements. As yet another component of the requirement for extraordinary flexibility, the modular stage floor can be removed, raised or lowered incrementally, essentially allowing any size or shape of object to be elevated anywhere on the stage.
At the end of January 2009, Stage Technologies hosted an ABTT Open Day at Curve, to showcase the technology utilized throughout the venue.
Introductions to the building and the personalities behind it were made with a series of short presentations from consultants involved in its design and build, including representatives from the architects, builders, lighting designers and automation experts. In his welcome address, Graham Lister, projects director at Curve, praised the sophisticated machinery and control systems installed by Stage Technologies, the excellent training and support given, and the further training and knowledge opportunities brought about by the strategic partnership that had been forged between the two companies.
The guests then took a whirlwind tour of the building, with Alex Hitchcock (training development manager, Stage Technologies) and Ken Golding (managing director, Delstar Engineering) on stage giving talks on the Nomad control desk and the acoustic shutters respectively, Matthew Tonks (senior project manager, Stage Technologies) explaining the power flying, and John Hastie (operations director) in the basement describing the functionality of the trap room.
(Claire Beeson)
