Theatre Design & Technology - May 1974 - 17

platforms are joined with each other by accessory links
attached at the bottom of the platform with lock pins and
at the top with thumbscrews. The same thumbscrews are
used for the lock-pin attachment of handrails for the
aisles. Lights for the aisles are also provided. Mounted on
casters, the platforms can be easily moved about on the
floor by one person, and can be Iifted above head level
without much effort by two persons. These chair units
and modular platforms, both designed by Robertson
Ward, comprise the basic equ ipment used to define the
acting and viewing areas in the open space. Enclosing the
whole space are scrim curtains and a "eye" suspended
from a track system.

throughout the theatre, 150 lighting instruments, and a
50-dimmer, 3-preset light board placed on a gallery 20
feet above the playing area. Attached to each lamp is an
individual dimmer, and individual control is achieved
through a single patchable low voltage control circuit
rather than the customary line voltage circuit.

Since the intention in a laboratory theatre is to
minimize the use of sets and to create in a relatively bare
space the atmosphere of the play by means of Iight and
sound, a substantial part of the total outlay of $800,000
was invested in technical equipment. The sound system,
installed by Dukane Corporation, allows multiple portable
speakers to be placed in any of 25 positions. The system is
designed for the production of special effects rather than
for the amplification of the actors' voices. The acoustical
material in the theatre was chosen to promote maximum
clarity of speech.

For the most efficient adjustment of lamps and
speakers the upper area of the theatre contains catwalks
running along the longer walls, a gallery for the lighting
booth along one of the narrower walls, and at the
opposite end of the theatre, a loading bridge. Running
between the catwalks are two rolling bridges, mounted on
what was formerly the crane rail. Though not motorized,
each bridge can be moved along its tracks by one person.
Just above the level of the catwalk and bridges is a grid
made of chain-link fencing material. Covering the entire
area of the theatre, it serves both as a safety net and as
means of access to any part of the upper area. The mesh
of the net is open enough to allow lighting directly
through it and to admit cable lines (Figure 5.).

The lighting system designed and installed by Major
Corporation, comprises basically 600 outlets located

The rigging system is unique, having been especially
designed by Art Drapery Studios Inco to fulfill the drama
department's request for a completely variable head block
and splay block. These are made so as to accommodate 5
lines each, and each block can be deployed through a
180-degree arc vertically and through a 180-degree arc
horizontally (Figure 4.l.

View of audience/performance area from above
chainlink grid net. Hand operated rolling catwalk below
net in foreground.

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THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

MAY. 1974

17
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