ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

THE PENTLAND THEATRE

The main theatre design with the adaptable auditorium floor and its flexible stage machinery allows for three
quite different internal formats to be set-up:

A raked seated stalls and tiered balcony provides a conventional end-stage auditorium for theatre,
music, dance, drama and conference presentations with a capacity of 400 seats.

A lowered and flat floor stalls, with seating removed, allows for standing concerts with some surrounding
and fixed balcony seats and a total capacity of 500.

A flat floored stalls allows for banqueting, exhibitions, dance, music and activities that require a large
internal flat floor of 320 sq metres.

A fly tower is provided over the main stage, containing thirty single-purchase counterweight flying sets for
lighting, scenery and acoustic ceiling panels along with five electro-mechanical winch sets for stage masking.
The performance area can be framed at each side by portable stage towers. The stage towers will change the
width of the stage and can be moved up/downstage to adjust the depth. The stage towers can be removed
altogether to allow for maximum stage space and concert mode.
The main front of house lighting positions are located above a tensioned wire floor which allows able bodied
and wheelchair-bound technicians to safely use the equipment. Lights can also point in the opposite direction
to the stage when required to light into the flat floor stalls.
The auditorium is provided with a combined lighting and sound control at the rear stalls level; a projection room
at the balcony level and four follow spot positions at the technical lighting level.
ACOUSTICS
The Auditorium has a reverberation time of 1.25 seconds at 500Hz: the shape of the reverberation frequency
curve is progressive, that is to say the low frequency reverberation times are slightly longer and the high
frequency reverberation times slightly shorter.
The sidewalls are designed to present a diffusing surface to incident sound waves, preventing strong specular
reflections that could be audible as echoes.
The balcony fronts are shaped and tilted to prevent direct reflection back onto the stage.
The flytower incorporates orchestral reflectors overhead that can be deployed to partially close off the
overhead opening into the tower and reflect sound directly into the auditorium.
The dimensions of the Pentland Theatre are such that reflected sound paths from all surfaces are relatively
short, leading to a fairly intimate ambience for music. Initial trials by the BBC Concert Orchestra have found
favourable acoustics in this auditorium.
OPERATING POLICY
The operation of the Arts Depot is as a receiving house i.e. as a venue presenting product touring throughout
the United Kingdom. The programme is planned also to include for the use of the theatre spaces by
Community Focus, Barnet College and local amateur groups.
STUDIO THEATRE
The Studio Theatre is a fixed format theatre where staging flexibility is included in the adjustable forestage
planned particularly for presentation to very small children.
The studio theatre capacity is 150 seats in a crescent-shaped, tiered auditorium.
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ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

The stage and auditorium are designed as a single room space with an open-plan lighting and sound control
room adjustable height scenery and lighting bars and follow spot positions at gallery level.
ACOUSTICS
The auditorium has a reverberation time of 0.8 seconds at 500Hz when fully occupied.
Finishes are fairly simple comprising painted blockwork walls, exposed concrete ceiling soffit and linoleum
covered timber floors. Specific acoustic treatment to control reverberation and reflections has been installed in
the form of industrial type wall absorption and acoustic ceiling tiles at the rear over the control area.
The shape of the studio theatre will help prevent strong reflections building up between opposite surfaces.
WHEELCHAIR PLACES IN EACH AUDITORIUM
Access for members of the audience and theatre staff who rely on the use of a wheelchair will find that their
requirements are embedded in the design of the Arts Depot, both in the public and non-public areas and
backstage facilities.
In each auditorium places have been specifically designed for those in wheelchairs. Such locations have been
selected on the need to provide good sightlines and ease of access and egress. Technical facilities are also
provided for those with hearing and visual impairment.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
The Pentland Theatre and the Studio Theatre have been designed by ACT Consultant Services in conjunction
with architects Ruddle Wilkinson and with the client/user represented by the Arts Depot Trust.
The provision of these two theatres and related arts spaces has been as part of the overall development on
the site by the London Borough of Barnet, Taylor Woodrow Properties Ltd and Chiltern Investment Properties
Ltd.
DESIGN TEAM
Architects
Theatre Design

Ruddle Wilkinson
ACT Consultant Services

QS/Project Managers
Structural Engineers
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers
Acoustic Consultants
Fire Consultant
Fire Engineering
Principal Contractor

Gardiner and Theobald

Walsh Associates
WSP North Limited
Cole Jarman Associates
Dr Gordon Cooke
WSP Fire
MJ Gleeson Group plc

SPECIALIST THEATRE EQUIPMENT CONTRACTORS

Theatre Stage Engineering
Stage Lighting
Theatre Sound and Communications
Pentland Theatre Seating
Studio Theatre Seating and Stage Rostra
Cablenet Safety Flooring System
Stage Drapes

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January 2005

Delstar Engineering Ltd

Northern Light
RK Sound Engineering
Race Furniture
Steeldeck
Slingco Limited
Gerriets Great Britain Limited

ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

THE PENTLAND THEATRE

Seating capacity, in total
Stalls only, fully seated
Stalls capacity for a standing and dancing audience
Stalls surround seating
Balcony
Wheelchair positions in the stalls
Wheelchair positions in the balcony
Fire regulations, stalls level
Fire regulations, balcony level

400
269
320
48
131
4
4
500 maximum
131 maximum

ADAPTABLE STALLS FLOOR

The main part of the stalls has an adaptable floor 10.9 metres x 12.1 metres wide.
The adaptable floor can be raked at 1:12 (or 5 degrees) and produce a stage riser of 900mm.
The adaptable floor can be flat and when raised to its highest level will join the foyer/entry level to the stage.
The adaptable floor can be flat and lowered 1100mm below stage level for use by a standing audience.
The adaptable floor, forestage elevator and main stage are all timber finished with Country Grade Maple.
PORTABLE SEATING
Seating on the adaptable floor is arranged on four carpeted seat wagons, which can be stored directly under
the auditorium when not required. The seat wagons are moved using a combination of air film technology and
friction drive motors integral to each unit. The wagons are raised/lowered between store and auditorium using
the forestage elevator.
The adaptable floor contains a compensating elevator to allow the area of the seating wagons to be lowered
by 250 mm so their surface is flush with the surrounding access floor.

FORESTAGE ELEVATOR or orchestra pit

Plan dimension of 3.00 x 9.975 metres
Vertical travel 3.85 metres, speed 1.8 metres/minute
Orchestra pit floor level set 1.8 metres max below stage
Trapped floor, four panels each 1.2 metres square
STAGE
Proscenium fixed
Wings
Stage depth
Forestage
Overstage
Stage floor

Opening 13.9 metres maximum

Clear 2.225 metres right and 2.370 metres left
Depth of the fixed stage 9.2 metres
3.00 metres bringing the main stage to 12.2 metres deep
Between galleries 13.9 metres
Maximum flying bar height 14.8 metres
Underside grid steels 15 metres
Country grade maple and Harlequin Reversible covering.

Proscenium adjustable: Adjustable full height towers 6.4m can reduce the proscenium opening to 10.8
metres. The towers are moved on air film and can be stored in the workshop when not required.

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ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

FLYING

30 sets of single purchase counterweights are operated

from the fly gallery stage right & loaded from two galleries
Capacity 600 kg each set with 3 at 800kg for the acoustic
reflectors
Bar length 13.6 metres on six lines
4 sets of 6-line pile-on winch electromechanically
operated masking sets
6 manually operated 4-line hemp sets

ORCHESTRA REFLECTOR: A manually adjustable three-part orchestra reflector with integral down-lighting is
provided over the main stage on counterweight sets 8, 14 and 23.
STAGE MASKING: The Theatre is equipped with a full set of masking drapes including house curtain, midstage travellers, upstage cyclorama (white and black), side stage legs and over stage borders, and
up/downstage black box masking for concerts.
VEHICLE ACCESS: An unloading bay is provided at ground floor level, under cover of the building, which can
accept one vehicle up to 16m long. Within 15 metres of the vehicle unloading point is a scenery lift internal
6.6m long, 3m wide and with 2.3m clear height doors. The scenery lift accesses all key Arts Depot levels
GET-IN

Stage left from scenery store and goods lift to ground

floor vehicle bay.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT:

Each stage is shares a range of access equipment

including one Tallescope and Zarges ladder.

PRODUCTION LIGHTING

Strand 530i plus remote control of SLD96 series dimmers

160 x 15A dimmers
12 x 25A dimmers
26 x 15A Non-dimmed circuits
28 x DMX outlets
8 x house light dimmers

LUMINAIRES

76 no ETC Source 4 15/30 degree zoom profile lanterns

(24 with Rainbow colour changers)
20no ETC Source 4 19 fixed beam profile lanterns
(4 with Rainbow colour changers
12 no. ETC Source 4 26 fixed beam profile lanterns
(4 with Rainbow colour changers)
24no. Selecon 1200 fresnel lanterns
32 no. Vision PAR 64 (8 with Rainbow colour changers)
6no. Selecon Aurora 3-way cyc lights
6no Varilite VL 1000 TSD
2 no Robert Juliat 1419CS followspots
4no Manfrotto 145U push up lighting stands and Doughty
Tee bars/Thomas TV spigot

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Prompt corner stage right stage managers desk `

controlling 14 cue lights, paging to dressing rooms,
technical areas and front of house and houselight
controls.

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ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

SOUND EQUIPMENT

CONTROL ROOM
Midas Verona 400 mixing desk
Marantz CD player
Marantz cassette player
Sony mini disc recorder
Signal patch panels
2 Yamaha MSP-3 active loudspeakers
1 x Lexicon MPX1 Multi-effects processor.

LOUDSPEAKERS

CENTRAL CLUSTER
2 x Meyer UPA-2P loudspeakers
SIDE FILLS
2 x Meyer UPM-1P loudspeakers
2no Meyer UMS-1P subwoofers
STAGE FRONT NEAR FIELD MONITORS
6no EAW UB12
STAGE PORTABLE SPEAKERS
2 x Meyer CQ-1 active full-range loudspeakers

MICROPHONES

Front of Main Stage - 5 Crown PCC-160

Short Gun Microphones 2 AKG C568 EB
Vocal Hand Microphones 2 Shure SM58
Instrument Microphones 2 Shure Beta 57A and 2
Shure SM57
K&M microphone stands 3 x 20130 black or nickel
stands, 3 x 21090 black stands with two piece boom arm
and 3 x 23300 Banquet stands
Radio Microphones 4 x Sennheiser 500 G2 and 4 x
bodysets and 4 x handsets.

ACCESSORIES

Beyer DT100 headphones

BACKSTAGE

Backstage facilities accessible to disabled performers

and staff. 2 dressing rooms each to accommodate 8
persons, 2 dressing rooms each to accommodate 2
persons plus additional spaces for musicians and
children. Changing facilities are available close to the
performance stage. Laundry facilities are provided.
Access to a further 12 dressing room places designated
for the Studio Theatre are available subject to
programming.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Piano

FACILITIES FOR SENSORY IMPAIRED

(under final development)

Infrared hearing assistance system with multi-channel

capacity, allowing, in addition to hearing enhancement,
audio description for people with visual impairment
with potential for more than one language.
Backstage video points in dressing rooms and
backstage areas allowing relay of information via
video monitors to disabled performers, carers and
technicians

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ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

STUDIO THEATRE
Seating capacity, in total
Wheelchair positions

150
12

STAGE
Main fixed stage
Forestage
Wings
Overstage

Crescent shaped with adjustable forestage

Playing area 9.0 metres wide x 5.15 metres deep
Playing area width 7.0 metres wide x 3.0 deep, Nivoflex
Clear 2.5 metres left and right
Between galleries 11.4 metres
Maximum flying bar height 5 metres

GET-IN

Centre up-stage from scenery store and adjacent goods

lift to ground floor vehicle bay.

OVERSTAGE SUSPENSION

18 sets of ladder bars each on 4 lines from motorised pile

on winch sets on upper gallery stage left
Capacity 500 kg
Bar length 9.0 metres

PRODUCTION LIGHTING

Strand 300 plus remote control of SLD96 dimmers

118 x 15A dimmers
18 x 15A non-dimmed circuits
16 x DMX outlets
4 x house light dimmers

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Paging to back-stage from control room and downstage

left, ring intercom and video to all key technical areas

LUMINAIRES

26 no ETC Source 4 Junior 25/50 zoom profile lanterns

6 no ETC Source 4 15/30 zoom profile lanterns
18 no Selecon Acclaim F Lanterns
6 no Selecon High Performance 1200 fresnel lanterns
12 no Selecon Aclaim cyc lights
2 Robert Juliat 1419CS followspots

SOUND

CONTROL ROOM
Allen and Heath GL3300 mixing desk.
Marantz CD player
Marantz cassette player
Sony mini disc recorder

LOUDSPEAKERS

2 x Meyer UPM-1P overheads

2 x Meyer CQ-1 active full-range loudspeakers
for stage use

ACCESSORIES

Beyer DT100 headphones

Radio microphones shared with Pentland Theatre list
Cable microphones shared with Pentland Theatre list
Microphone stands and accessories shared with
Pentland Theatre list

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ARTS DEPOT, FINCHLEY, NORTH LONDON

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

BACKSTAGE

FACILITIES FOR SENSORY IMPAIRED

(under final development)

Backstage facilities accessible to disabled performers

and staff.
2 dressing rooms to accommodate 12 in total plus
use of Pentland Theatre dressing rooms subject to
programming.

Infrared hearing assistance system with multi-channel

capacity, allowing, in addition to hearing enhancement,
audio description for people with visual impairment
with potential for more than one language.
Backstage video points in dressing room and
backstage areas allowing relay of information via
monitors to disabled performers, carers and
technicians

Animation of the adaptable floor may be viewed on ACTs website: www.actconsultantservices.co.uk

Contact details:
RUDDLE WILKINSON
84 Lincoln Road, PETERBOROUGH, Cambridgeshire PE1 2SW
p: 01733 314314 f: 01733 314090 e: jk@ruddlewilkinson.co.uk
ACT CONSULTANT SERVICES
The Old Wood Mill, Church Lane, Madingley, Cambridge CB3 8AF
p: 01954 210766 f: 01954 211466 e:cbaldwin@actconsultantservices.co.uk

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