Production Pack
Updated December 2015
The information contained in this pack is subject to change, please contact the Mercury Theatre to
confirm facilities and equipment.
Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited Balkerne Gate Colchester Essex CO1 1PT
Telephone (01206) 577006 Box Office (01206) 573948 Fax (01206) 769607
e-mail info@mercurytheatre.co.uk web www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd
Registered in England no. 441035
Executive Director Steve Mannix
Registered office as above
VAT no. 205 4029 49
Charity registration no. 232387
Production Pack
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Your Visit
We’re looking forward to your upcoming visit to the Mercury Theatre. Please take your
time in reading this Production Pack to ensure you are familiar with the facilities and
equipment that the Mercury can provide.
To help us to support your production or event please complete our visiting company
questionnaire and return it to us as early as you can along with your own technical rider
and plans. At the latest we need this information six weeks before your arrival.
If you would like to use equipment not covered by this list please contact us as not all
the equipment we stock is listed in this pack. We can also arrange to hire additional
equipment on your behalf at competitive rates.
There are some facilities and equipment that will be subject to an additional charge to
cover ongoing maintenance/running costs or additional staffing. Please contact the
Technical Manager to discuss the recharges that might be payable for your production
or event.
We are a busy producing venue, so sometimes equipment or facilities may not be
available (e.g. for maintenance or being used for a Mercury Theatre production on tour).
Please let us know your specific requirements in good time so we can discuss with you
if there is likely to be a problem.
The Mercury Theatre Technical Services Department.
Pack Contents



Useful Contacts
Main House
o Stage
o Lighting
o Sound and AV
o Access, Dressing Rooms & Other facilities
Studio Theatre
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Production Pack
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Useful Contacts
Theatre address
Mercury Theatre
Balkerne Gate
Colchester, Essex
CO1 1PT
To access the theatre using a Sat Nav, use the postcode CO1 1NF.
Switchboard
01206 577006
Ticket sales
01206 573948
Head of Technical Services
Mandy Ivory-Castile
mandy.ivory-castile@mercurytheatre.co.uk
01206 245 505
Head of Production Services
Phil Attwater
phil.attwater@mercurytheatre.co.uk
01206 245 473
Technical Department
technical.admin@mercurytheatre.co.uk
Technical Manager
Ben Wills
ben.wills@mercurytheatre.co.uk
01206 245 511
Senior Technician (Stage)
Roger Mills-Lewis
Interim Senior Technician (LX) Stuart Brindle
Senior Technician (Sound)
Ash Pickard
Stage Management Department sm@mercurytheatre.co.uik
Company Stage Manager
Deborah Payne
deborah.payne@mercurytheatre.co.uk
Deputy Stage Manager
Rebecca Raggett
Assistant Stage Managers
Gillian Park
Marjanne Van Der Ark (maternity cover)
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Production Pack
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Welcome!
Welcome to the Mercury Theatre, we look forward to hosting you and your production
and hope that we can make it as enjoyable and as smooth as possible.
Please read through the following production pack and do not hesitate to get in touch
with any members of the Production department should you have any queries. On our
technical page you will find DWG plans of the Main House, DWG files of the studio will
follow soon. You can also find a copy of the Mercury theatre Health and Safety policy,
please read ensure the visiting company manager has read this prior to their arrival.
We do ask that you send your own technical requirements to the theatre six weeks in
advance of your arrival, our Technical Manager will then have the opportunity to discuss
with you anything that might arise from this and we can work with you to ensure we
maintain the highest production standards.
We are very proud to now include technical information on our new studio space that
opened Autumn 2015, you can find this towards the end of this document. The technical
information for the space is evolving as we use the space more and more and any
questions you might have can be answered here or by getting in touch.
We hope you find everything you need and we look forward to hosting you soon.
Many thanks
Mercury Theatre Production Department.
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Production Pack
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Main House
Made in Colchester production of “The Good Person of Sichuan” on
our Main Stage and viewed from the rear of the Auditorium.
Find out more
CAD files (in .pdf and .dwg formats) are available to download at
http://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/about-us/technical-information/
You can also take a 360º Virtual Tour of the theatre by visiting
http://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/your-visit/virtual-tour/
The auditorium
The Mercury Theatre’s main
auditorium seats 487 at full capacity in
a single rake (no balconies). Seating
capacity may be reduced to allow for
FOH operating positions, wheelchair
users or due to poor sightlines.
The stage has a small thrust. There is
no safety curtain.
Basic stage plan showing flying bars and typical black-box
masking arrangement. See website for detailed plans.
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Production Pack
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Main House Stage
Stage Dimensions
Depth
12.1 metres with pit covered
10.6 metres with pit open
Width
Downstage edge with pit covered
At 1.5 metres from downstage edge
7.0 metres
8.84 metres
Front edge with pit open.
At 4.45 metres from downstage edge
12.3 metres
Widest point of stage
At 10.55 metres from downstage edge
5.2 metres
Narrowest point of stage (US)
Prosc. Width
Open stage.
Distance between DS masking flats 10.7 metres.
Prosc. Height
5.732 metres
Wing space SL
3.00 metres
Dependant on masking
Wing space SR
1.00 metres
Dependant on masking.
Pit
Orchestra pit for up to 10 musicians. The first 1.5 metres of
the stage floor consists of removable panels to open up the
pit. Rostra are available. Please discuss use of the
Orchestra Pit with the Technical Manager.
Rake
None
Crossover
Upstage, No off stage route.
Technical Details
Prompt Desk
Located Stage Left
Backstage and FOH paging
Bar Bells
Working Light and House Light control
14 cue light channels
Colour & Infra-Red CCTV monitors
Communication system Tecpro MS271 master station
Tecpro Dual circuit talkback station
Single & Dual circuit belt packs with headsets
Show Relay
To all dressing rooms and backstage areas.
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Production Pack
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Flying
Grid height
13.3
metres
Max flying height
13.0
metres
No. of C/W sets
14 double purchase sets
1 single purchase set (House tabs only)
Max weight limit
210kg per bar
(Bar 14 has a max active flying weight limit of 105kg)
House tabs
Oxford blue. Operated from fly-floor only.
Our tabs sit 1.7 metres upstage of the front edge of the
stage (20 cm upstage of the front edge when orchestra pit is
open). They are three-sided following the shape of the
thrust.
Please Note: If anything is rigged on FOH lighting bridge 1
or Counterweight Bar 1, the House Tabs can not be used.
Where shows are overplaying or during ‘one-nighter’ weeks,
it may not always be possible to offer house tabs due to
equipment rigged for other shows.
Flying Positions
All measurements are in metres. ‘Position’ measurements are taken from the front edge
of the stage.
C/W No.
Position
Bar length
Max width
FOH tabs
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1.70
2.01
2.70
3.28
3.90
4.46
5.10
5.70
6.30
6.92
7.68
8.30
8.70
9.30
9.90
8.31
8.34
8.95
9.76
10.48
11.16
10.49
9.80
9.10
8.43
7.75
7.05
6.36
5.68
5.00
8.62
9.29
9.96
10.63
11.16
11.29
10.60
9.90
9.23
8.55
7.85
7.16
6.58
5.90
Cable centres
SL
SR
4.08
4.05
4.08
4.06
4.12
4.12
4.13
3.62
3.33
3.39
3.12
2.78
2.30
1.97
4.14
4.14
4.14
4.14
4.14
4.14
4.14
3.33
3.38
3.33
2.98
2.62
2.30
2.02
Please Note
Our stage shape is unusual which can impact on what is flown on each bar. Please
contact the technical department if you are unsure.
Maximum flying height is 13 metres with the exception of C/W sets 8 through 14 which
is 12.5 metres.
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Production Pack
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Masking and Drapes
Our standard ‘black box’ masking consists of black book flats in the DS corners with 3
further hard masking flats each side supplemented by tracked soft masking legs running
up and down stage underneath the fly-floor level. A full black is normally hung on an
upstage bar to mask the back wall. A selection of Borders are spot hung from the grid.
We have additional legs, borders, full blacks and various sizes of hard masking in stock,
subject to availability, so please speak to us about your specific requirements.
We have a selection of other cloths, including starcloths, cycs and gauzes, which may
be available for your use, subject to availability and hire charges.
Other Stage Equipment
We also stock the following items. They may be in use in our studio or for other Mercury
Theatre productions or events. To discuss what’s available for your visit please contact
the Technical Department.
Steeldeck (8’ x 4’, 4 ’x 4’, 2’ x 8’ sizes)
Studio-deck (1m x 2m, 1m x 1.5m, 1m x 1m sizes)
Assorted scaff legs for above decks.
French braces
Stage Weights
Assorted rigging equipment
Access Equipment
We have a selection of ladders and a Tallescope.
We have a scissor lift that may be available for use by prior arrangement. The operator
must have the appropriate IPAF qualification.
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Production Pack
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Main House Lighting
Lighting Control
ETC Gio Lighting Desk (2048 outputs)
with monitors, accessories and wireless network access.
ETC Ion Lighting Desk (1024 outputs)
Normally used as tracking backup.
ETC fader wing, 2x10.
Two universes of DMX distribution
Universe A: Dimmers, Houselights and Independents.
Universe B: Distributed around theatre for moving lights and effects on either 5 or
3pin outputs.
Power
Power Supplies
63A 3ø supplies located DSL and DSR.
13A sockets throughout theatre including dedicated sound supply.
Distro
63A 3ø to 18 ways at 16A 1ø. Permanently located on SR at fly
floor level and fed from DSR 3ø supply.
63A 3ø to 3 ways of 63a 1ø.
Cabling
13A extensions
15/16A TRS cable
32A 1ø Cable (limited stock)
Socapex cable and spiders.
Selection of IWBs with Socapex connections.
Selection of jump cables and 15A/16A splitters.
If you require use of our 63A 3-phase supplies or our distro please notify us at least six
weeks in advance to help us make sure we can accommodate your needs.
Dimming
Strand LD90
180 ways
4 ways
15 ways
at
at
of
2.5kw per circuit (15a sockets/Socapex)
5kw per circuit (32a Ceeform or 4 x 15a per circuit)
Independent non-dim channels (15a sockets)
Portable Dimming 4 portable 4-way DMX dimmer packs are available.
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Production Pack
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Main House Lantern Stock
Profiles
4
32
22
Selecon 5.5/13 1000w Pacific
Selecon 12/28 800w Pacific
Selecon 23/50 800w Pacific
(M size)
(M size)
(B size)
PARs
60
6
Par64 CP62 (long/black)
[CP60/61 lamps available on request]
Par56 (short/chrome)
Fresnels and PCs
4
Assorted 500w Fresnel/PCs
26
Cantata F (1kW)
6
Patt743 (1kW)
4
Cadenza F (2kW)
1
Bambino (5kW)
Other generic lanterns
12
Iris1
10
Nocturne (1kW)
4
Pinspot
8
230v P16 birdies
8
12v P16 birdies
Howie Battens [Please check availability]
Followspots
2
Selecon Performer followspots (1,200w)
(Use may be recharged)
DMX Lighting and Effects
These items are subject to availability and may be recharged.
6
2
20
2
2
-
LED PAR56 (used as working lights)
LED PAR56 (available for effects etc.)
LED 1m Battens.
Various LED strip and DMX controllers.
Unique 2 Haze machines
NT Viper Smoke machines
Small manual smoke machines
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Production Pack
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Notes about Lighting
If you would like to use equipment not covered by this list please contact us as we do
have a stock of miscellaneous lighting equipment. We can also arrange hire equipment
at competitive rates.
Please note there are times when some of the equipment listed here is unavailable for
use. Please contact us with your requirements 6 weeks in advance of your visit so we
can do our best to ensure the equipment you wish to use is available.
Please check our side elevation as all three of our FOH bridges have limits to their
coverage of the stage. The lighting towers in the auditorium have a minimum rigging
height due to proximity to audience members. ‘Tower 3’ (the furthest from the stage)
has additional restrictions due to our new wheelchair positions which are not shown on
our current plans. If you would like details or advice please contact us.
A permanent ladder position for stage booms is provided behind the prosc. flats DSL
and DSR.
Lanterns rigged on FOH Bridge 1 or Counterweight Bar 1 obstruct the line of our House
Tabs, preventing their use. Where shows are overplaying or during ‘one-nighter’ weeks,
it may not always be possible to offer house tabs due to lanterns rigged for the other
shows.
We have facility panels throughout the theatre providing outlets for dimmable channels,
independent channels, DMX, effects, working lights, 13A power, cans and cue lights.
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Production Pack
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Main House Sound
Permanently Installed System
Left & Right
Front Fills
Subs
Rears
Meyer M1D Array (5 units per side)
Meyer UPM1 (5 units in total)
USW1P sub speakers (2 units in total, in mono)
Community CSX35 (2 units in total)
Control
1
1
2
1
Yamaha M7CL-48
Yamaha O1V96i
Yamaha MY-16 AT Dual ADAT I/P card
Yamaha MY-AE 8 way analogue I/P card (with 8 way
O/P loom)
Analogue sound desks may be available on request.
Additional Speakers
These items are subject to availability and may be recharged
4
EV SX200 (2 with flying frames)
6
Tannoy V8 (6 with flying frames)
8
JBL Control 1 (8 with hanging brackets)
3
Community SLS915 (3 with flying frames)
Amps
4
3
2
Carver PM700 (8 channels in total)
Crest V650 (6 channels in total)
Samson Servo 300 (4 channels in total)
Playback
These items are subject to availability and may be recharged
1
MacBook Pro with Qlab v3
1
MacMini with Qlab v3
(Complete with tracking back up)
2
M-Audio Profire 2626
CD Playback
Tie-Lines
XLR Tie lines around stage and in the pit, fully-patchable to
desk input looms at control room or FOH mixing positions.
Patchable Speakon tie lines to facility panels around the
theatre for foldback or effect speakers.
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Production Pack
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Microphones
These items are subject to availability and may be recharged
3
Shure SM58
3
Shure SM58 Beta3
1
Shure SM571
3
Shure SM57 Beta3
1
Shure 55SH
4
AKG SE300B
1
AKG CK91
1
AKG C451EB
1
AKG CK1
3
AKG CK98
2
AKG Perception 170
2
AKG C417
2
AKG CK8
3
Audio Technica AT Pro 44
1
LD Systems D1011
1
QTX Sound Switchable (SM58 copy)
1
Sennheiser E602
1
Shure PG52 (Kick)
3
Shure PG56 (Snare/Tom)
2
Shure PG81 (Overheads)
Radio Mics
These items are subject to availability and hire charges
20
Sennheiser EW300 G3 Receivers
20
Sennheiser EW300 G3 Beltpack Transmitter (Lemo)
2
Sennheiser EW300 G3 Handheld Transmitter
Unless otherwise agreed in contract any requirements above four G3 microphones will
be hired to you at the rate agreed with the Technical Manager in advance. Riders
should be sent at least six weeks before visiting and this can be discussed at this stage.
We carry a selection of miniature and headset mics for use with Beltpacks. Please
contact us to confirm what is available.
Other Items
These items are subject to availability and may be recharged
We carry a selection of DI boxes and mic stands, please ask
for details.
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Production Pack
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Main House AV
Video Projection
Projection equipment subject to availability and hire charges
Epson EMP-8300 Video/Data Projector available for hire with selection of lenses and
remote shutter. VGA or composite video inputs. Please contact the Technical
Department to discuss your projection requirements.
Screen
14’ x 10’ Fast-fold screen. Can be flown or freestanding with
Front or Rear Projection surface.
Video Playback
DVD players, Mac and Windows based computer systems available to hire. Please
contact the Technical Department to discuss your requirements.
CCTV Cameras and Monitors
A colour camera is permanently installed at rear of auditorium provides a stage relay
feed to the prompt desk, fly floor and green room.
An infra-red camera is permanently installed at rear of auditorium provides a ‘low-light’
stage relay feed to the prompt desk only.
Additional CCTV cameras and monitors may be available for hire. This includes two 32”
LCD monitors that are permanently installed in the auditorium facing the stage.
A DVD recording can be made from our Colour Camera feed.
Video Distribution
Additional video equipment is subject to availability and recharges
Patchable video tie-lines (BNC) throughout the theatre.
BNC Video splitter.
VGA and Composite Video Cabling and adaptors.
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Production Pack
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Main House Access, Dressing Rooms &
Other Facilities
Vehicle Access and Parking
Getting to the Theatre
The theatre is accessed via Head Street and Church Street. If you’re using a Sat Nav,
use the postcode CO1 1NF. Please note that the brown ‘Theatre’ road signs in
Colchester direct you towards towards St Mary’s car park and not the theatre itself.
Large Vehicles
Special arrangements apply for vehicles over the length of 9.7m (32 feet). You (or your
transport company) will need to liaise with our Technical Manager over arrival times and
arrangements for both load-ins and get-outs.
Parking
There is a small car park at the rear of the building and a second parking area to the
side of the building. Please liaise with Technical Services staff on arrival about the best
place to park your vehicles. Your contract with us will confirm how many vehicles you
are permitted to park at the theatre. We may ask you to move additional vehicles to offsite parking at your own expense. It is a condition of parking at the theatre that you
leave your keys in our secure key box and are happy for theatre staff to move your
vehicle as required. Parking at the theatre is at your own risk.
St Mary’s Car Park is located off Balkerne Hill and is a short walk to the theatre.
Members of visiting companies can purchase a discounted pay and display voucher
from our ticket sales team before you park. They currently cost £1.50 for all day parking
and there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. You can either purchase
these in person or by calling 01206 573948, the ticket can then be emailed to you.
Load In
There is a small step up (300mm) from the car park to our loading dock. We have a
metal ramp that can be used if required. From there access to stage is level through our
workshops and scene dock.
Catering Facilities
We have tea, coffee and chilled water available in our Green Room, which is equipped
with a basic kitchen including a microwave and fridges. Please contact us to discuss
any additional catering requests and associated costs.
Our onsite restaurant ‘Food @ the Mercury’ is open throughout the day. Our theatre bar
is usually open after evening performances.
Members of Visiting Companies may order from the Mercury staff menus (available in
the green room) and are eligible for discounts on food in the restaurant and drinks in the
bar.
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Production Pack
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Dressing Rooms
Dressing Rooms
Dressing Room 1 (ground floor)
Dressing Room 2 (first floor)
Dressing Room 3 (first floor)
Dressing Room 4 (first floor)
Dressing Room 5 (first floor)
Dressing Room 6 (first floor)
3.9m x 2m
3.9m x 2m
3.9m x 2m
3.8m x 4.5m
5m x 3.2m
3.2m x 2.3m
3 people
3 people
3 people
6 people
7 people
4 people
Please note, only dressing room 1 has direct level access to the stage.
On some occasions Dressing Room 1 is unavailable due to studio events. There may
be times when not all dressing rooms are available (e.g. when shows are overplaying).
If you require more space than above additional rooms may be available for hire.
Access
The stage area, green room and Dressing Room 1 are all at
the same level. A lift FOH provides access to the other
dressing rooms, the foyer and bar.
Male and Female accessible toilets are available backstage.
If your company has specific access requirements please
contact the technical department in advance and we will do
all we can to make sure they’re accommodated.
Shower Facilities
Accessible showers are provided in both the male and
female toilets on the ground floor backstage.
Wardrobe Facilities
Washing machine, dryer and Pro press steam iron available by prior arrangement.
Internet Access
There is wireless internet access available in the auditorium and backstage areas. For
login details please check signage backstage or speak to one of the Technical Services
department on arrival.
We do not have a dedicated company office, but on request can arrange use of our
computer network for internet and printing.
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Production Pack
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Studio Theatre
The Mercury Theatre’s Studio has recently undergone a large refurbishment and now
seats 96 at full capacity, in a fully retractable unit of tiered seating.
Please note:
Due to the restrictions on stage size the front row of removable seating will not be used
or sold unless staging size permits. This reduces the capacity to 80, and the extra
sixteen seats will not be released or sold unless there has been prior agreement with
the visiting company and the Technical Manager.
Air conditioning has been installed in the Studio for comfort during all seasons.
We are equipped with digital filming equipment, and projection, including displays from
our Main House relay system to the studio. There is 5.1 surround sound and large
permanently rigged projection screen upstage that, when not in use, is masked by soft
black masking that surrounds the space on tracks.
Stage Dimensions
The front of the seating bank is curved, the DSC point allows for 5.8m from the bottom
of the centre treads to the US wall. At either end there is 4.9m between seating and US
wall. If the front row of seating is in place this reduces the stage depth by 1m and
should be considered when planning any stage installation in the space. The plan below
shows the space from above:
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Production Pack
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Lighting Equipment
18 x Selecon Compact Fresnels 1k
6 x Selecon Compact PC’s 1k
3 x Strand Cantata 11/26
15 x Strand Cantata 18/32
17 x Strand Cantata 26/44
6 x Strand Prelude 16/30 500w
1 x ETC Ion
There is also a selection of Howie battens, sun floods, birdies, and other miscellaneous
lighting equipment. Please ensure you send your technical specification to us at least
six weeks in advance and discuss any technical requirements with us at this time.
Notes regarding patching of lighting equipment:
The studio rigging consists of five truss bars, each with twelve 15a sockets available,
and a further six 15a circuits per side USL and USR. However it is important to note that
there are six ways of hard patched circuits on bars A, B, D, E. All other circuits will need
to be patched through four BetaPack dimmers, allowing for a further 24 ways of
dimming. This makes a maximum number of dimmable circuits 48, IF all hard patched
ways are used. This does require consideration when lighting in the studio space. The
following diagram should clarify this:
9.4m
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Production Pack
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All numbers that are not preceeded by a letter are hard patched circuits
Working lights/house lights are GDS single and four cell units that are controlled via the
lighting desk. Your technician will be able to patch these for you during your get in.
DMX is available both SR and SL on each truss, as well as USR and USL on the patch
panels.
Any bars that run US-DS are not available for rigging as these are only load tested for
our speakers and house lights. Any further weight compromises the safety and a recharge for damage inspection will be made to the visiting company.
Sound Equipment
Currently the studio is equipped with a Yamaha TR5, this feeds into our 5.1 surround
sound system that is permanently rigged. Use of any microphones will be in agreement
with the Technical Manager prior to your arrival, and will be discussed when the
technical specification of your performance is sent six weeks in advance.
There are tie-lines on all trusses for both male and female XLR, as well as 8 inputs and
two outputs USR and USL on the patch panels.
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Production Pack
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AV and Data
Cat5 ports are available on all trusses as well as on the USR and USL patch panels.
We have a permanently rigged Panasonic LCD projector, focussed for the projection
screen rigged in the space. This is not available to move around the space and cannot
be re-focussed. Should you require any further AV please discuss with the Technical
Manager, however further projection equipment maybe subject to a re-charge to the
visiting company.
Comms are provided within the space should they be required. We do not have QLX.
The show is operated from a control room above MSR and gives a good view of the
stage, there is also video relay provided to ensure full colour and infra-red coverage of
the stage is available to the operators.
Dressing Room
There are two dressing rooms on stage level for the studio, access to each is via the US
exits. Any further dressing room requirements needs to be discussed in advance as
they may be used for a main house production.
View from USR with front row of seating removed for capacity of 80
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