The Pavilion Plans Part 9 – The Stage

This is the ninth in my series of articles about the plans for the Pavilion. The stage will not change in principle, but there is a significant amount of work to be done. We are looking to achieve the following objectives: • To keep the Proscenium Arch. • To have the ability to construct Theatre props, whilst the rest of the Pavilion is being used for other things. • To be able to slide in props from the wings. • To be able to drop props from the “Fly Tower”. • To be able to drop backdrops from the “Fly Tower”. • To have a good Dressing Room area for the Theatre. • To be able to have a “Green Room” for musicians. The stage is “raked”, what that means is that it is lower at the front than the back. This allows more people to have a clear view of the back of the stage. We will not change this. The width of the stage is an important question, due to sight-lines and the type of performance that we can put on. However the Proscenium Arch is a tremendous feature in the Pavilion, which should not be lost.The Proscenium Arch is seven meters wide but the stage could be extended to ten by ten meters. The result is that the arch restricts the view of the back of the stage; especially if you are sitting at the front and off to one side.The result is that there will be a limit to the range of productions that we can put on; because we have decided not to tamper with this wonderful feature. The curtain will have to be thick to ensure that we do not have too much noise from the construction of a stage. When other activities and occurring in the Ballroom, we will see stages being created for later Theatre productions. We may need a Safety Curtain and, if we do, this may be heavy enough to block most sounds. There is a lot of old equipment hidden behind the boarding that was erected around the Proscenium Arch, many years ago. This has protected the equipment and it is possible that we can re-use it for curtains, and backdrops to be lowered. We have in any case created a budget to cater for these items in our plans. The “Fly Tower” rises some meters above the stage and, whilst not a perfect shape or height, allows up much more flexibility in the productions that we can put on. Scene changes will be much easier with this arrangement. Currently there are two staircases one on each side of the stage. This allows an actor to leave one side of the stage, but return from the other. We will still have this facility, but one of the staircases will have to go, to give access from the goods lift; to both the stage level and the level below. The under-stage level currently has loos and dressing rooms and a large open space. For the current plans the changes on this level will be limited, even though the plans show a considerable alteration. This may be delayed as it is not essential and we will be limited for money at this time. We should, however, be able to refurbish this area and make it as pleasant as we can, without spending an enormous sum. From this under-stage area there is at least one exit to the stage and we feel sure that another exists. We have not been able to uncover enough of the stage to see where this comes in. Having different accesses to the stage will allow actors to arrive to the stage from numerous different directions. We hope to arrive at a position where we can offer a reasonable stage for; Theatre for Amateur Productions; Theatre for Schools; Small touring shows, with limited requirements; Comedy Nights; One man / woman shows. Gregor