The lower photograph shows The Castle main auditorium operating conventionally
as a theatre, with 500 seats, a proscenium and with an orchestra
pit.
The Castle main auditorium is designed as a multi-pupose space where
particular emphasis was placed on avoiding the usual pitfalls of
flexible auditoria both visual and physical. The basis of flexibility
is the tilting auditorium floor which can either be arranged as
a raked stalls with fixed seating in curved rows or by utilising
air film technology. The seats can be removed to a store below leaving
the auditorium as a clear level area. The design of the building
has been made to provide excellent access for performers and audience
alike. This approach has been particularly welcomed by disability
groups and is so successful that The Castle is used annually for
a disability festival.
|
Animation showing removable stalls seating.
This animated picture illustrates how the raked auditorium
seating is converted to a flat floor which then becomes a continuation
of the main stage and by using the orchestra elevator. The eight pallets
which make up the stalls seating are moved using air film technology
onto the orchestra pit elevator and then into the basement below.
Redecorated auditorium 2004
| Client: |
Wellingborough Borough Council |
| Architect: |
PDD Architects/Milton Keynes |
| Project Managers: |
Howard Associates/Northampton |
Main Contractor:
Stage equipment:
|
Marriott Limited
TeleStage Associates
|
Photography:
Web: |
Timothy Soar
www.thecastle.org.uk |
|
