United Kingdom Project References
The following specialist contracts for theatres, conference halls, TV studios and general audio-visual installations have been completed or are under implementation by Glantre Engineering Ltd in the United Kingdom. Unless otherwise indicated, contracts cover detailed design, supply, installation or supervision, commissioning and training. Project listings are in approximate reverse chronological order. In addition to the contracts described, Glantre has carried out several important cruise ship entertainment contracts as well as numerous electrical and mechanical services contracts. These are described on the Cruise Ships page.
Contract values are only shown where amounts exceed £100,000; the listings below are part of 75 such contracts, of which 17 have values in excess of £1 million. The overall value of the 170 listed entertainment projects and separately listed cruise ship projects exceeds £74 million.
Royal National Theatre, London
Integrated touch screen control system and custom software programming added to the Cottesloe Theatre during the recent refurbishment. The system provides control of 120 channels of working lights and houselights via DMX and dimmers. Show presets may be programmed and replayed by operators using touch screen panels. Conventional control panels provide users with control of a local zone. Use of full colour video panels allows video show relay to be displayed on the touch panels. All control wiring is accomplished using the building's CAT 5 infrastructure.
Design, Fabrication and Installation of the technical infrastructure for large new build TV studio complex. Media City is the prestigious new home for the BBC and other national broadcasters. The complex consists of four versatile high definition TV studios, three smaller high definition TV studios, a bespoke studio to house the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, a multi purpose audio studio, control rooms, post-production facilities and office space. Glantre carried out the works under sub-contract to Bovis Lend Lease.
Revolving video cubes for 64 screens with precision controlled drives for themed pubs in Basildon, Blackpool, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Preston, Reading, Stevenage, Southampton and Swansea. Total value of work is in excess of £550,000.
New Stage engineering package consisting of two orchestra pit lifts using Spiralift mechanisms to the design of Theatre Consultants, Techplan. Main contractors Sir Robert McAlpine. Contract value £330,000.
Stage rigging system incorporating motorised lighting trusses, new digital dimming system and upgrading of existing facilities for Warwick District Council. Theatre Consultants, TheatreTech.
Autoliv Research Centre, Havant
Travelling dual truss structure with moveable cross beam and integral hoists to provide three axes of motion for fully flexible positioning of Arrisun HMI lampheads for high speed filming of vehicle impact testing. Work carried out under sub-contract to Arri (GB) Ltd.
Castle Theatre, Wellingborough
Stage lighting, sound and communications systems for new 500 seat regional theatre. Stage lighting is based mainly on Strand Lighting products including Galaxy Nova control, 120 LD90 digital dimmers, PALS network with eight remote controlled Cadenza PC lunimaires and a full complement of conventional luminaires. Sound includes a Soundcraft Spirit mixer and Community loudspeaker cluster with full stage management and theatre communications systems. Work carried out under sub-contract to electrical contractors Briggs and Forrester. A separate sub-contract for a 35mm film projection system with Dolby sound processing was placed by main contractors, Marriott. Theatre Consultants, ACT Consultant Services.
Sound, communications, lighting control and dimming systems for major new complex in central Belfast opened in mid 1996 with 2000 seat main hall and 500 seat secondary hall to the specifications of Theatre Consultants, Carr and Angier. The two sound systems include Allen and Heath mixing consoles, central loudspeaker clusters, secondary loudspeakers, amplifiers, signal processing, microphones, replay devices and full wiring and sound box infrastructures. Conference microphone, simultaneous interpretation and lecterns are provided, along with extensive communications networks covering stage manager's desks, paging, audio and video show relay, ring intercom, building-wide PA and MATV systems. Lighting controls are ETC Expression 2X for main hall and Impression 2 for secondary hall with Strand and Lightolier architectural controls. Dimming installations for concert, stage and houselighting include more than 620 Arri SmartRack digital dimmers. Socket boxes and lighting bars are provided. Glantre's sub-contract was placed by the electrical contractor, Rotary Services of Belfast.
Supply and installation of studio lighting track, grid, dimmers, lighting control, cyclorama tracks and curtains for two 190sq m television studios at the Harrow Campus of the University of Westminster under sub-contract to Tarmac Construction. Lighting control console Arri Focus with a total of 144 x 2.5kw and 72 x 5kw SmartRack digital dimmers shared between the two studios.
Lighting, sound and communication systems for refurbishment of 2400 seat multi-purpose civic hall, the largest of its kind in the Midlands. Work carried out for Leicester City Council under sub-contract to Costain and to the specifications of Theatre Consultants, Techplan. Stage lighting consists mainly of Strand equipment with a 384 channel Galaxy Nova console, PALS motion control, 228 LD90 digital dimmers and 150 luminaires; also HMI followspots, worklight controls and power distribution. Sound and communications include an extensive loudspeaker network with remotely controlled delay and equalisation, ring intercom, paging, show relay and stage management systems.
Total package of stage rigging, stage lighting, sound and communications for development of the former Empire Theatre into the City of Edinburgh's principal performance venue. Management contractors - Bovis Construction; Theatre Consultants - Theatre Projects Consultants. Stage equipment includes three orchestra lifts, 84 single purchase counterweight sets, an electrically operated lighting bridge, loudspeaker hoist, safety curtain, rear and side stage acoustic doors, sundry electric winches and associated equipment. Stage and house lighting consists of 508 Strand EC90MD-Plus digital dimmers with a Galaxy Nova control console, customised working light control, socket boxes and luminaires from Strand and ADB. The house sound reinforcement and effects system is based on a Soundcraft Delta DLX mixer and amplifier/loudspeaker combinations involving Crest, Meyer, Electrovoice JBL, Apogee and Bose products. A full communications infrastructure includes ring intercom, MIDI control, hard of hearing system, paging, show relay and video distribution.
Tottenham Hotspur Football and Athletic Club
Public address systems for all stands incorporating Bose and Toa full range loudspeakers, amplifier and signal processing racks, CD players and paging stations. Battery operated UPS facilities are provident to comply with the stringent safety regulations for major sporting venues. Consultants - AMS Acoustics. This is a representative example of Glantre's several sports ground installations.
Design, supply, installation and programming of 56 channel audio replay system for 'Warwick Kingmaker' walk-through exhibit for the Tussauds Group. Equipment includes 28-CD ROM replay machines operating under show control software from Richmond Sound Design.
Mercury Asset Management, London
Voice evacuation system for multi-storey head office buildings in the City of London to the specifications of audio consultant, Ken Dibble Acoustics.
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Stage lighting, sound and communications systems for main and studio theatres in Arts Centre converted from a chapel. Works under contract to John Laing Construction for Kirklees Metropolitan Council to specifications of Theatre Projects Consultants. Production lighting is based largely on ADB products including Tenor control desks, Eurodim digital dimmers and Europa luminaires. Sound and communications includes Soundcraft Delta mixer, Electrovoice loudspeakers, stage manager's desks, ring intercom, paging and video systems.
Stage lighting systems for the reconstruction of the Savoy which, as far back as 1881, claimed to be the world's first theatre "to be lighted throughout by electricity". Works carried out under contract to Bovis Construction Ltd and in compliance with the specifications of Theatre Project Consultants. Control system is Strand Galaxy Nova with 254 digital dimmers type EC90MD - an interesting contrast to the six dimming groups provided by Siemens Bros in 1881 for their stage lighting installation with Swan incandescent lamps. Working light control system, socket boxes and luminaires were also included in Glantre's contract.
The Corn Exchange, Newbury
Total package contract for regional Arts Centre for Newbury District Council covering stage rigging and electrical installation for the whole building. Stage lighting includes Strand LBX control, RVE dimmers and luminaires from Teatro and James Thomas. Full sound and communications systems and 35mm film projection are provided together with 25 winch and hemp rigging sets and general stage equipment. Electrical installations involve power distribution, lighting, fire alarms, telecommunications, computer supplies, earthing and lightning protection. Consultants Max Fordham Associates and Theatre Projects Consultants.
Scissor type vehicle lift of 40 ton capacity for transfer of scenery and equipment to and from the stage. Management Contractors - Bovis Construction Ltd; Consultants - Theatre Projects Consultants.
Stage lighting control system consisting of Galaxy 3 production and Premier houselight systems inclusive of customised console furniture, software and special interface engineering.
Lighting systems consisting of Arri Mirage control, dimmers and luminaires for the Hall's permanent rig. Also preparation of technical report for major upgrading of the Hall's lighting, sound, rigging and stage equipment as part of the projected development Masterplan.
Lighting, sound and communications systems for regional theatre under contract to John Laing Construction Ltd and to the designs of Carr and Angier, Theatre Consultants. Stage lighting includes 240 Channel Applause control system, dimmers, patch panel, socket boxes and more than 150 Teatro luminaires. The sound system is based on an Allen and Heath Saber mixer with a JBL loudspeaker system, while communications includes stage manager's desk, paging, show relay, cuelight and ring intercom systems.
Cabot Hall , Canary Wharf, London
Integrated package for stage lighting, sound and rigging for 600 seat multi-purpose hall in major London docklands development under contract to Bovis Construction Ltd and to the specifications of Theatre Projects Consultants. Stage lighting includes M24 lighting control, Permus dimmers, patch panels and 400 luminaires, while the sound system is based on a Soundcraft Series 600 mixer and JBL loudspeakers; other equipment comprises stage management and paging systems, modular staging, chain hoists, tracks, drapes, acoustic shell and motorised banners. An elaborate foyer casement curtain system involves multiple linear drive motors.
International Convention Centre, Birmingham
Customised houselight and working light control systems, production lighting socket boxes, cabling and power distribution equipment under contract to the City of Birmingham. Systems are provided for 11 separate Halls including the widely acclaimed Symphony Hall for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Theatre Consultants, Artec Inc, USA.
Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy
Consultancy and design services through Roderick Ham and Partners, Architects and Project Managers for electrical services, stage lighting, sound and communications for proposed development including an 800 seat theatre for the Rhondda Borough Council.
Complete lighting and mechanical systems for 620 sq m studio in North Wales for independent production company Barcud Cyf. From the start of the project, Glantre provided extensive advisory services to Barcud including outline architectural layouts for the complete building along with structural, electrical and heat loadings and preliminary budgets; these were later developed into a full design by Gwynedd County Architects Department with Consultants W.S. Atkins and Partners. Glantre's contract covered 60 RDS self-climbing hoists, Galaxy 3 control console, 240 dimmers, 170 Quartzcolor studio luminaires, cyclorama, drapes and electrical power installation.
Sky Television, London
Installation of studio lighting, control, dimmers, suspension systems, cycloramas and electrical distribution for three studios at the Sky Television Centre, Isleworth.
Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading
Stage lighting, sound, rigging and communications systems for multi purpose main hall located adjacent to Glantre's UK head office.
Yorkshire Television, Leeds
Design for upgrading of lighting and power installations for studios 2,3 and 4. Also installation of Galaxy 3 systems of 120,228 and 312 channels respectively together with 660 PIP dimmers and power wiring.
Claridges Hotel, London
Refurbishment and upgrading of lighting and power installations together with communications and public address systems.
Olympia Conference and Exhibition Centre, London
Supply and installation under sub-contract to Bovis Construction Ltd of public address and paging systems. Similar works were carried out at Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
Playhouse Theatre, London
Complete electrical power and services throughout this important West End Theatre which was subject to an extensive refurbishment programme. Also specialist theatre equipment covering sound, communications, 180 channel Gemini memory stage lighting control, dimmers and working light system.
Other Contracts
Smaller projects in the United Kingdom include:
Froebel Institute, Roehampton - Lighting
Wigmore Hall, London - Piano lifts
Lee Valley Leisure Centre, Edmonton - PA and BGM
The Comedy Store, London - Lighting and sound
Pontyberem Memorial Hall - Lighting, sound and rigging
Queen Anne's School, Caversham - Lighting and sound
NHK, Millbank Studio - Lighting and tracks
St Johns College, Oxford - Lighting, sound, stage engineering and AV
Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester - Show control
Royal National Theatre, London - Show control
Highmoor Hall, Oxfordshire - Lighting, sound and stage engineering
High Wycombe Town Hall - Lighting and sound
Church of Scientology, East Grinstead - Lighting, sound and rigging
St Paul's Church, Hammersmith - Lighting, sound and electrical
Building Research Establishment, Watford - Artificial Sky
Pickett's Lock Centre, Enfield - Sound
Marlborough College - Lighting, sound and stage rigging
Cranleigh School - Lighting, sound and stage rigging
Wilde Theatre, Bracknell - Communications
Hexagon Theatre, Reading - PA/communications
Colston's School, Bristol - Lighting and sound
Museum of London - BGM systems
St Mary's School, Calne - Lighting and sound
Mermaid House, London - Lighting and sound
Country Garden Centres - Background music and PA for 8 sites
Guildhall Arts Centre, Gloucester - Lighting, sound and stage rigging
CAP Ltd New Malden - Sound and conference systems
Bellair Playhouse, Guildford - Stage lighting
CRUISE SHIPS
Extensive entertainment technology installations for P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Airtours are fully described on Glantre's separate Cruise Ships page.