The Theatre Royal

We don't do drama off stage

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Technical Facilities at the Theatre Royal

Our region’s most technically equipped theatrical venue
Beyond our beautifully restored wooden facade and victorian auditorium is a 21st century back of house facility boasting a modern counterweight fly-tower, sound, lighting and data systems, a fully masked stage, orchestra pit, scene dock, dressing rooms and rehearsal space.

Show-ready at the drop of a hat
All of our systems are maintained in a show-ready state, taking the hassle out of single day events – or providing a flexible basis for any show with its own design requirements.

Professional support
House technicians are available to work with you on your show – All hirers receive 4 hours of complimentary tech time with our technical manager which can be used for advice or services from design and pre-production, to execution, operation and the sourcing of additional equipment or personnel.

Technical Specifications
All of our technical specifications and documentation can be found in our online resource section.

Tech Pages

  • Technical Facilities
  • Online Resources
  • Crew Training Courses
Contact The Theatre Technician
  • Local Hirers
  • Fly-tower
  • Stage
  • Lighting
  • Sound
  • Backstage
  • Orchestra Pit

Local Hirers

Keeping up with the lingo
We don’t expect our users to remember everything between visits – We also understand that our technical discussions can be like dealing with a foreign language.
If you are a non-professional or community group, we would like to talk as soon as possible. Contact our technical manager to arrange a pre-production meeting so we can answer each others questions.

Online Resources
Our resources section contains all of our pre-hire technical questionnaires, role-based guidelines and Health & Safety documents for you to view or download at anytime.

View our online resource section
  • Flytower, The Theatre Royal, Nelson

Fly-tower

The jewel in our crown is a modern counterweight flying system. Scenery, props, drapes, technical equipment or even people can be rigged to easily lift into a set position, or be flown in and out.

Our onstage lighting bars and masking are all flown – providing exceptional flexibility when setting positions.

The fly system is a specialist piece of equipment and operators must be trained. The protocol which surrounds this system largely depends on the nature of its intended use. Please contact our technical manager to discuss how you would like to use the fly system.

View our full technical specifications

Stage

Be beautifully framed
Our flat wooden stage is framed beautifully by our restored victorian proscenium arch and is masked with fire-retardant black drape legs, borders and tracking tabs. An opulent red velvet curtain sets the scene and our projectable black PVC cyclorama screen ‘disappears’ when not lit.

Basic stage & wing dimensions

  • Width : 8.1m
  • Depth : 9.2m (ledge – cyc)
  • Stage height : 0.9m
  • PS Wing – fly controls : 2m
  • OP Wing – Wall 6.5m

View our full technical specifications

Lighting Systems

As standard, our lighting configuration provides a wonderful basis that serves most users with everything they need for a well lit and visually captivating show. Our control equipment is simple to use and if required; we are able to provide training or experienced operators.

How is it set up?
Our standard designed is ready to provide:

  • Full stage cool & warm open white wash
  • Full stage backlight
  • Full stage break-up gobo
  • 2 colour front light
  • 4 colour, full stage side light
  • 4 colour cyc light
  • 8 spotlights

What equipment is in-house?

  • Almost 100 of the most commonly requested generic lighting fixtures
  • Easy to use 120 channel Theatrelight Cuemaster desk
  • 76 Theatrelight DMX dimmer channels
  • Over 250 way-lines
  • DMX splitter and patch points around the stage/fly tower
  • 4 flown pre-wired LX bars
  • 2 FOH truss positions

Touring shows or specified designs
If you are touring a performance with a specific design, we can help by sourcing additional equipment or crew – as well as providing on the ground technical support from pack-in to pack-out.

How can we help?
Regardless of complexity, please contact our technical manager to discuss how we can best service your show in our lovely theatre.

View our technical specifications

Sound System

Be heard, loud and clear
Whether a single key-note speaker, concert performance or an all-singing, all-dancing musical theatre number; Our house sound system provides clear and undistorted sound reproduction throughout the auditorium and  services the vast majority of shows we host.

The basics are covered
The use of our sound system is included with all hires and includes:

  • A full-range time-aligned FOH speaker system
  • Basic mixing desk
  • iPod input
  • Single CD player
  • Two wired vocal microphones
  • Onstage monitoring speakers.

What is the FOH system?

  • 4 flown QSC K12 speakers, covering both the stalls and dress circle
  • Front-fill reinforces high frequencies for the foremost rows
  • Pair of 18″ sub-woofers provide bottom end
  • Allen & Heath ZED 14 (8mic pre) mixing desk

How can we help?
Our technical manager specialises in sound engineering and can suggest solutions and source extra equipment specific to your needs.
Please contact our technical manager to discuss your particular requirements.

View our full technical specifications

Backstage

Room for the troupe
Whether a cast of a few, or few hundred, we have plenty of space for your pre-show preparations. Our back of house facilities are shared across 4 levels.

Dressing Rooms
4 dressing rooms are located on the stage (2) and second level (2). Each room is lockable and features wide lit make-up mirrors and countertops, swivel and bench seating, costume racks and stage monitor screens.

Cast wheelchair access
A lift from the ramp-accessible foyer allows wheelchairs to the stage and orchestra pit. Stage level toilets and shower are all wheelchair accessible.

Blue lights
Blue lighting extends throughout our backstage facility providing excellent vision while not interfering with stage lighting.

Toilets / Showers / Laundry
5 toilets, 2 showers, a washing machine, dryer and several irons/boards are shared across the stage and second levels.

Kitchenettes
Kitchenettes are located on the stage and third levels offering a bench top, sink, kettle, small fridge and microwave facilities for the heating of meals or the all important coffee break.

Rehearsal Room
The rehearsal room is available as a stand alone hire – or additional to the standard theatre hire. It offers an environment of equal size to the stage for warm ups or as additional changing space for large companies.

Security
The backstage door is kept secure with an ever-changing pin code that we issue to users.  Access from front of house can be kept magnetically locked to keep unwanted guest out (and cast in). Magnetic keys are issued to core crew as required.

Scene dock
A loading bay at the rear of the building and a large scene door in the upstage wall allows large set pieces to move easily onto the stage.

View our full technical specifications
  • Partial-out pit for Nelson Youth Theatre's Season of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

  • The band room in use during Nelson Youth Theatre's 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

Orchestra Pit

Working with the pit
The pit and the larger adjoining band room provide up to 80m2 of space for musicians or out of view chorus members. By removing a section of the auditorium floor, the foremost section of the pit opens up to allow natural acoustic projection, while the rear band room provides a degree of isolation ideal for instruments of a larger dynamic.

How can we help?
Pit adjustments are carried out by theatre staff prior to your occupancy.
Please contact our technical manager if you would to use the pit.

View our full technical specifications
Box office is open:

Monday to Friday:

10am to 4pm

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78 Rutherford Street
Nelson

03 548 3840
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