As part of an expansion masterplan, the Performing Arts Centre at The Perse School is the final piece in a 10 year process of development. Visionary Head Ed Elliott added, ‘We have long had a vision for a performing arts centre, an environment in which everyone – whether artist, scientist or mathematician – can develop self-expression and fluency. We are bringing this vision to life to mark our 400th anniversary.’
Charcoal Blue Theatre Consultants were appointed in 2013 to develop a brief for a highly flexible arts centre and to assist in the selection of a suitable architect. Howarth Thompkins Architects, designers of Liverpool’s award winning Everyman Theatre, came on board to design a building to be a key architectural feature of the school’s campus.
The Performing Arts Centre houses a 360-seat auditorium with flexible staging and seating to allow various configurations including theatre in the round and more conventional end-on. There are also full back stage facilities enabling students to experience all aspects of staging a production and a fully glazed foyer space incorporates a large day lit rehearsal room and exhibition space. The development also includes a new Classics Department and a large court with grass, trees and seating to create a welcoming and relaxing space for pupils.
PG Stage are proud to have been appointed by Building Contractors R G Carter to deliver stage lighting, Audio Visual and stage engineering packages. This will be our second Charcoal Blue designed project following on from the successful delivery of performance facilities at St Paul’s School Drama Centre in 2014. Director/Project Manager Paul Holt comments, ‘The Perse School represents one of the largest and most flexible Performing Arts Centres we have ever delivered in education. We are impressed with the characteristics of stage lighting, audio visual and engineering design which compliment the strong tradition of drama at the school.’
PG Stage are currently working at the design stage of the project and begin installation at the end of April 2017.
For more insight into this project:
The Perse School: Work begins on new Performing Arts Space
The Perse School: Progress on Performing Arts Space
Howarth Thompkins Architects: The Perse School
Charcoal Blue Theatre Consultants: The Perse School