The
Barn Theatre,
25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey
RH8 0AA.
Tel:
01959 561811
Email: barntheatre
@btinternet.com
Technical
information
Stage Plan
Stage
Lighting
Sound
Operation
Backcloths
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Stage Plan Click on this link to download an Adobe Acrobat file. (To access a scale plan in .dwf format, first visit www.autodesk.co.uk where you can download a free viewer which will allow you to zoom in, scroll around and print the drawing and then download the plan.)
Stage Lighting Click on this link to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the standard lighting rig.
1. The theatre lighting is controlled by a Zero 88 Leapfrog 48/96 lighting board (48 channel).
2. The theatre is equipped with 48 10A, hard wired, dimmer controlled circuits distributed via 15A RCD protected socket outlets.
3. Lighting bars are located above and to the side of the auditorium, in fixed positions and over the stage, including one PWB, which may be repositioned to a limited extent if required. A cyclorama 3 circuit batten is installed upstage and a further 4 circuit batten positioned mid-stage.
4. The theatre provides a range of profile and fresnel spotlights together with two 2 circuit ground rows and a number of floods. Other lighting effects available include LV track mounted mini-spots, UV fittings, strobe, mirror ball and music responsive disco lanterns. Eight remotely controlled 5 position colour wheels are fitted to P23 spotlights located on an auditorium bar. Two 2kw follow spots are installed in the gallery.
5. Spare lamps for all equipment are provided. Lighting gels in a wide range of colours are stocked and these are freely available for use. Please number all newly cut gels and ensure all are replaced correctly.
Approved Lighting Technicians
Frank Boonham Not presently available 01883 717437 Alastair Bruce alastair@ajbruce.fsnet.co.uk 01883 712536 Richard Grogan richardgrogan@hotmail.com 01883 722080 Brian List 07768 293123 Martin Lloyd martinlloyd6@hotmail.co.uk 01883 730330 Phil McKerracher phil@mckerracher.net 0208 773 4294 Bruce Reed barntheatre@btinternet.com 01883 741820 Carolyn Rowley lights@barntheatreoxted.co.uk 01883 744810
1. Introduction.
The sound installation in the theatre is based around the sound mixer and a number of amplifiers and is run from the sound box at the front right hand side (facing the stage) of the gallery. The system has been designed to cater for differing requirements of users of the theatre, providing basic background music and public address announcements, show music/effects (fx) and full show reinforcement.
The Theatre has a loop amplifier system which is entirely self-contained, picking up via microphones over the proscenium, and available for use by patrons with hearing aids, this system must be switched on for ALL public performances, regardless of whether there is any other use of the sound installation.
2. Sound Operators Duties.
The Sound Operator is responsible for the operation of the entire theatre sound system, including the main P.A./reinforcement and effects installation, the Canford Tecpro net communication system and the backstage relay system (locally under the control of the Stage Manager).
In addition to this the Sound Operator is required to run the pre show, interval and ending announcements (on CD, see below for more detail) to help front of house get the audience seated by curtain up and to ease congestion in the car park after the show finishes.
3 System Descriptions.
The system is controlled by the 24-channel mixer and can be broken down into separate sub systems, as described below -
a) Public Address / Background Music.
The background music system is based around a Talisman 1001 amplifier serving 100 Volt line loudspeakers placed in the auditorium and foyer areas. The bar speaker system is served by its own amplifier situated in the control room adjacent to the stage, fed via an aux send from the main sound desk. Switches allow the auditorium and foyer to be addressed independently or together. There is a microphone in the sound box, routed through the mixer (see below) into the Talisman and bar amp. Background music can also be routed through this mixer into the P.A. system. The background system is not designed to provide high levels of sound and should not be used to provide stage FX or music.
b) Show FX / Music.
This system consists of a double CD player, and a Mini Disc player / recorder. These are routed through the mixer and feed three pairs of loudspeakers in the auditorium, plus a fourth pair mounted at high level at the rear of the stage.
The Mixer controls the various sources via faders, which are labelled accordingly.
Note:-
Details regarding P.R.S. returns are given in the hirer's pack given out by the Theatre Management.There is also a set of SFX CD's available on request and which should be returned after use. On no account are these CD's to be taken out of the theatre.
c) Reinforcement System.
The system is primarily for use in musical presentations to enable the voices of performers to be heard over the orchestra. There are 5 shotgun microphones available which can be placed across the front of the stage on stands.
These are patched into the stage boxes, on the proscenium columns either side of the stage. These microphones should only be placed once all construction etc. on the stage is completed to avoid dust and mechanical damage. There are also three Shure SM58 vocal microphones which can be hand held or used on stands as required.
Finally, there are 8 radio microphones (tie clip type) which can be hired for use plus one hand held mic. freely available in the theatre, by arrangement with the Barn Theatre Management. Mics. are assigned as follows: - Ch. 1-5, float Mics. Ch. 6-14 radio Mics. The usual configuration is noted on the strip at the foot of the mixer. Radio Mics come into the mixer via their receivers which have to be switched on (also do not forget to turn on the individual transmitter packs! These require batteries which are the responsibility of the hirer). The mixer is equipped with eq., aux. sends and pan control, etc. two reverb units are available and can be patched into the signal route as required.
Tape outputs are available for recording direct from the desk (check copyright of material / performance before recording!).
To use the equipment, first check that the "Auditorium Ring" circuit breaker in the Stage Manager's box is on, then switch on the master switch and socket outlets sited on the rear wall of the sound box. The various pieces of equipment will then come on. They are normally not switched off independently but if any individual piece of equipment does not work, check that it is on first.The amplifiers are situated in the lighting Control Room at the rear of the balcony and must be turned on AFTER the main desk and turned off BEFORE the desk is powered down, to avoid damage to the speaker installation. The four amplifiers are labelled front, mid & rear auditorium plus the Bass Bin driver which can be left switched off if not required (i.e. for situations where only vocal reinforcement is required).
Cue discs etc. and test the system before the audience arrive, problems can usually be sorted out before curtain up, and it is very much more difficult to rectify faults afterwards!
Before the show liaise with the Front of House Manager over the house calls. Theatre time is taken to be the radio controlled clock at the stage manager’s position, please make sure you are synchronised with this. Every effort should be made to ensure that the show goes up promptly; it is essential that you liaise with FOH & with your Stage Manager on this point
There are CDs provided to make the pre show and interval announcements. The pre show announcements run for 15 minutes ending at curtain up. The interval announcements run for 20 minutes. The FOH manager has control of an interval bell, make sure that your calls coincide with this, or that the bell is rung on your calls. There is a track on the CD to run at the end of the show, marked "Car Park" which asks drivers to check they are not blocking in people behind them in the car park. (Not all patrons leave immediately and those waiting for cast members often forget they may be causing congestion in the car park).
After the show, to avoid congestion in the car park, liaise with front of house and be prepared to announce registration numbers as required. After your production return all microphones to their cases with batteries and tape etc removed, leads and stands to the control room, CD's to their cases provided. Please leave the sound box and control room tidy and ready for the next use.Important note: -
In the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the theatre the Sound Operator will be required to make an announcement over the P.A. to inform the entire theatre (front of house & backstage) how and where to evacuate to. There is a special red CD marked up "Emergency Evac. Announcement" which will continue to repeat the announcement at 2 minute intervals for approximately 30 mins. This should be used whenever directed by the Stage Manager/Front of House Manager.Liaison with Front of House staff and the Stage Manager will assist in the evacuation, The Sound Operator should also ensure that the balcony is empty before making his/her way to the assembly point.
Important Note: -
There is an overall sound level limit set by Tandridge District Council within the auditorium, to be measured at the centre of the hall, of 110 Decibels ("A" scale). This level must not be exceeded AT ANY TIME during rehearsals or public performances. The continuance of the theatre's licence depends on this and it is the responsibility of the Sound Operator to ensure that this level is not exceeded. A sound level meter is available for checking sound levels, by arrangement with the Sound Director or any member of the Theatre Management. The Management reserves the right to demand that the levels be turned down at any time and if levels are exceeded despite warning, to pull the plug! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.Defective headsets / belt packs / leads etc. should be reported to the Stage Manager and / or Duty Manager.
If you have any problems or equipment does not operate correctly, please speak to the Duty Manager or call Mike Sutton via the office.
If you require more information please contact the Lighting or Sound Director/ Trustee
Approved Sound Technicians
John Chinnock johntchinnock@btinternet.com 01883 743402 Paul Knight knight_pa_mjh@yahoo.co.uk 01883 714895 Bruce Reed barntheatre@btinternet.com 01883 741820 Mike Sutton mike@planshop.co.uk 01883 723867
Cloth No. Size Side 1 Side 2 2 12'6" x 22' Snow covered house (Xmas) New York 1890 (Street scene) 3 15' x 20' Baker St (15' wide) Village green (Panto, full width) (view 2) 6 12' x 20' Pine forest/rocky path (Brigadoon) (view 2) Folkestone seafront (amateurish) 30 12' x 22' Desert/palm trees (Panto) Suburban park 31 12' x 22' Peter Pan bedroom (Panto Spooky cave interior (Panto) 32 12' x 22' Carribean beach, palm trees (Panto) dddd 33 12' x 22' London docks (Oliver, Incomplete) Yonkers N.Y. 1890 (Gypsy) (view 2) 34 12' x 22' Posh restaurant interior Mississippi River with boat 35 12' x 22' Oklahoma, woodlands Dress shop interior 36 12' x 22' US rail depot 1930 (Gypsy) Bali Hai (South Pacific)
(view 2)37 12' x 22' Distant castle on mountain (Panto, spooky) Portsmouth Harbour 1830 38 dddd Classic Greek garden ddd 39 ddd dd 40 ddd Chinese garden with bridge (Panto) (view 2) ddd 41 dd London scene (Janie Harris) dd 42 dd Houses of Parliament (Iolanthe) (view 2) dd 43 dd Magic pool (Iolanthe) (view 2 & 3) dd 44 dd French street scene (unfinished) dd 45 dd London's East End Grand interior staircase 46 dd Sleeping Beauty frontcloth dd 47 dd Black & white classical country scene (Pimpernel) (view 2) dd 48 dd Grey mottled cloth (Pimpernel) Garage interior (Sweet Charity) 49 dd Central Park. N.Y. (Sweet Charity) dd 50 dd Cornish cove & St. Michael's Mount (Pirates of Penzance) (view 2) dd 51 Sherwood Forest
