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//. Contact Details
Stephen Brinkhurst
Theatre Manager
Email: s.brinkhurst@ucsa.canterbury.ac.nz
Phone: (03) 3642652 x 3915
Fax: (03)3642670
Postal Address:
PO Box 31-311
Christchurch
New Zealand
//. Theatre Information
The Ngaio Marsh Theatre provides a venue for affiliated Performing Arts clubs to produce theatrical entertainment. Currently the Musical Society, Drama society, Comedy Club and Law Revue utilise the services that the theatre has to offer and have produced quality shows. Crew Club provides assistance and training for performing arts clubs and individuals wishing to gain more knowledge of the technical aspects of theatre production.
//. Theatre History
The Ngaio Marsh Theatre was constructed in 1967 as part of the exodus from the university town site. The initial aim was to provide a venue for student performance groups to produce theatre in, and to gain extra lecture space for the university. Designed by the highly respected local architectural firm, Warren and Mahoney, it follows the theatrical lines of many overseas theatres, encompassing the good and bad elements. Named after the notable Dame Ngaio Marsh, she was asked, and agreed to direct the first production in the new theatre. "Twelfth Night" opened on June 2nd 1967.
Since then the theatre has been used for a variety of cultural and academic purposes. As the only working theatre* in the West and North - West of the city, it provides a place of entertainment for the wider environs of Greater Christchurch.
A growing number of student and outside productions involve extensive use of local talent, both as performers and trainee technical staff. The current staff is actively involved in supervision and training programs to enhance the technical and safety standards of student productions.
*Theatre being defined under NZS9232
Last updated 01/11/06
//. General Information
The theatre design is based upon a large stage 14.5m wide by 9m deep, a 3-metre forestage, and an orchestra pit of variable height. The first row (24 seats) is built at stage level with a further 18 rows (25 or 26 seats) rising towards the rear of the auditorium served by two aisles. Altogether 432 seats are provided in the auditorium. Three wheelchairs can be accommodated also, and access is by a lift in the foyer.
Above the three rear rows of seats are the lighting and sound control areas housed in the control rooms extending across the width of the theatre.
Directly above the stage is the fly tower carrying up to twenty sets of lines. The fly gallery is 6.5 metres above stage level and the grid is a further 5 metres above, this allows a total flying height of 11.5 metres.
Stage Area (including scenery dock)
The stage is sanded wood painted black. The stage area behind the proscenium arch is 14.5m wide by 9m deep. The scenery dock runs the depth of the main stage and 7m from the side edge of the stage. A loading door is situated in the south wall of the theatre to enable medium sized objects to be brought into the theatre. A ½ ton hoist is situated at the dock door to enable the lifting of heavy equipment The height of the scenery dock from the ground is four metres.
//. Dressing Rooms
At the rear of the building is an 84sq metre dressing room, divided into two small changing areas, one large area and a make-up room. This room has two toilets, two showers and clothing racks. It is accessible both from the dock and from the outside.
//. Orchestra Pit
A hydraulically operated lift 6.5m by 2m is normally held at stage or floor level. The level is variable between stage level and up to two metres below stage level. The orchestra pit will accommodate up to nine musicians comfortably.
NOTE: When the orchestra pit is below stage level the middle block of the front row cannot be sold, as there is an unguarded drop into the pit.
//. Drapes
The dress legs (each capable of closing a 4 metre gap) are red. They are individually controlled by rope pulls on their respective sides of the stage. The main tabs are red and are controlled by rope pulls on the prompt side of the stage. These are dressed with a red border that is counterweighted allowing the height to be adjusted easily. The dress legs and main tabs can be flown in and out by winch from the fly gallery.
The two sets of secondary tabs are black with rope pulls prompt side; they are flown on counterweighted lines. Black borders dress both the sets of secondary tabs, these being height adjustable by handlines from the fly gallery. Three or four pairs of black legs are flown from sets of handlines. These are adjustable for angle and distance from the centre line.
Except for the dress legs and the main tabs all curtains are flown by hand from the fly gallery.
//. Lighting
Spare lamps are held for all units. All lights are fitted with tungsten halogen lamps giving a high intensity blue/white light. All units are complete with medium holder, safety chain and a G clamp. Gobo holders are available for the zoomspots and fixed aperture masks are available for the pattern 23's. A supply of the more commonly used colour medium is usually held and those colours not normally held in stock can be obtained upon reasonable notice.
Lights can be mounted on any of four lighting rails and booms front of house, or four lighting bars (height adjustable) above the stage as standard positions. Side lighting bars can be rigged, and floor stands are available for floor placement of lights.
The standard rig consists of a two-colour wash, backlight, two or three colour sidelight and 4 colour cyc.
The lighting rig consists of: -
24 x Selecon SF1200 (1200w)
12 x Selecon ZS1200 (1200w)
6 x Pacific profiles
6 x Selecon PC1200 (1200w)
7 x Selecon PC1000 (1000w)
14 x Par 64 (1000w)
6 x Strand 223 (1000w)
12 x Selecon SF500 (650w)
4 x Selecon Hui (1000w) cyc units
4 x Selecon Cyc RDS (500w) 4unit battens. (Ground row)
Additional Lighting units
2 x Strand 243 (2000w)
7 x Par 64 (1000w) silver
8 x Strand 23 (500w)
14 x Strand 123 (500w)
1 x Strand 293 (2000w)
The control equipment consists of: -
Strand 520i lighting console
250 channels plus 250 attributes.
161 x 10 amp permanent circuits
4 area house light dimmer control
NOTE: not all lighting units may be available due to maintenance and additional equipment may incur a charge.
Sound
The acoustic properties of the theatre are excellent and often reinforcement is not necessary. However a sound system is provided in the theatre, offering facilities for sound reinforcement, stereo playing of music and sound effects, stereo recording of live performances.
High-level sound reproduction is available to each seat in the theatre for sound reinforcement. The front of house speakers are JBL 15" and horns. These are flown on the first front of house lighting bar. The standard placement is one at each end of this bar.
The sound system for the theatre consists of: -
1 x Yamaha GA24/12 mixing console.
2 x Yamaha P2500 stereo power amplifiers. (2X 275watts).
1 x Quad 125 watt power amplifier
1 x Yamaha Q 2031 31 band Graphic Equaliser
2 x Yamaha GQ 2015. 15 band Graphic Equaliser
2 x JBL MR 825 speakers
2 x Double 15" stereo sub system (c/w amp + x-over)
2 x 122FX + horn foldback monitors
1 x Neumark twin tray compact disc player
//. Communication Systems
An intercommunication system is provided from the stage managers to both lighting and sound control rooms. Each of these can page to the dressing room. A limited number of extra headsets available from in-house can be linked to other areas as needed. A visual warning system is also employed to instantly show the "health" of the venue, with units at the Safety Wardens position, lighting and sound control rooms and the stage manager's desk.
//. Staff
Theatre staff are required to be present whilst a client is in the venue, and a theatre technician will be provided for the duration of the booking. Safety Wardens are employed for each show carried out, and if any flying is to be done, then a flyman or stage mechanist is also employed. The client may bring in their staff in addition to the technician, but these personnel are under the supervision of the technician, and each person has to be approved with management before entering the venue. Ushers and front of house personnel are generally not supplied but are available on request.
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Class Rep System
