This is the eighth in my series of articles about the plans for the Pavilion. This part is again about the Ballroom, but it is about the ballroom uncovered, with the seats rolled back and the floor exposed.
It is fine having a theatre, but that format limits the use that a space can be put to. So why not have a theatre that can also be used as a concert venue or as a space for exhibitions, table top sales or local sports? In the previous post I talked about the possibility of nine rows moveable seats and the front five-and-a-half rows being completely removable. The nine rows of movable seats would be able to be rolled back like drawers into a wardrobe.
Click this link to see how this would work; there is an animation half way down the page. These would roll back to form two stacks at the back of the hall, in front of the balcony. The approximately 110 seats making up the front of the theatre seating would be stacked into carousels and stored in our new storage area. Below is a picture of how these would look when stacked.
Clearing a large space in front of the balcony, which could accommodate around 400 people standing, means that we can use most of the ballroom for events other than theatre. The floor will be largely unaffected by the movement of the chairs as the flat chairs have removable rails that they attach to; which themselves can be removed. The moveable chairs have a wheeled arrangement that, at worst, will require a flat metal rail cut into the floor. The stage can therefore be used for a band playing, or extended forward if the band requires more space. These extensions would also require storage when not being used and would reduce the audience capacity.
The balcony should not be forgotten. It will still be available when there are concerts, and will have a fire limit of 60. This is slightly lower than the seating capacity, but has more to do with the fire exits and the fact that there will only be one staircase for the first flight of stairs. When we have exhibitions and table top sales, we would use the whole space available including the Foyer, the Refectory and the Grey Room; this would give us a considerable space to erect tables and stalls. For these events, we would open the shutters and the lantern blinds. The whole ballroom will then feel very light – except in winter!
Gregor
It is fine having a theatre, but that format limits the use that a space can be put to. So why not have a theatre that can also be used as a concert venue or as a space for exhibitions, table top sales or local sports? In the previous post I talked about the possibility of nine rows moveable seats and the front five-and-a-half rows being completely removable. The nine rows of movable seats would be able to be rolled back like drawers into a wardrobe. Click this link to see how this would work; there is an animation half way down the page. These would roll back to form two stacks at the back of the hall, in front of the balcony. The approximately 110 seats making up the front of the theatre seating would be stacked into carousels and stored in our new storage area. Below is a picture of how these would look when stacked.
Clearing a large space in front of the balcony, which could accommodate around 400 people standing, means that we can use most of the ballroom for events other than theatre. The floor will be largely unaffected by the movement of the chairs as the flat chairs have removable rails that they attach to; which themselves can be removed. The moveable chairs have a wheeled arrangement that, at worst, will require a flat metal rail cut into the floor. The stage can therefore be used for a band playing, or extended forward if the band requires more space. These extensions would also require storage when not being used and would reduce the audience capacity.
The balcony should not be forgotten. It will still be available when there are concerts, and will have a fire limit of 60. This is slightly lower than the seating capacity, but has more to do with the fire exits and the fact that there will only be one staircase for the first flight of stairs. When we have exhibitions and table top sales, we would use the whole space available including the Foyer, the Refectory and the Grey Room; this would give us a considerable space to erect tables and stalls. For these events, we would open the shutters and the lantern blinds. The whole ballroom will then feel very light – except in winter! Gregor
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If you have any ideas for the future of the Pavilion at Matlock Bath please let us know.