Theatre Design & Technology - May 1968 - 44

shifting of the
ring all around
in the design
Akimov (TD&T

curved slip wagons in the form of a moving
the auditorium (in general a solution adopted
of a theatre by the Russian director Nicolai
No.2, p. 231.

For another practical solution, systems of curved wagons
(mainly for permanent unitsl can be added in the zone
around the acting area, taking into account the characteristics
ot the repertory theatre in which productions requiring
changes alternate with those using a permanent or unit
setting. This way the stage is provided (in addition to the
concave slip-stage curving along the front of the stage) with
a system of convex slip stages which can bring successive
settings on the route to stage from a complete upstage stor·
age ring.

Stage, a I' Italienne with a 14 meter \
opening. A variation allows the pro·
scenium form.

Stage with an opening of 26 meters
with a sky cyclorama forming a background for all sightlines, and a rear
stage wagon.

In our plan, slip wagons moving in straight lines are also
included. These can supply the stage with the usual supplementary decor of large dimensions, which are used in the
stage arrangement without a portal or with a central stage.
Such shifting is also useful for small stages because the
wagons can be run into anyone of the workshops. The
necessary time for technical preparation on stage is thereby
considerably reduced to increase rehearsal time.
The turntable itself can be trucked on a longitudinal axis of
the stage and can be located along the center line of the
stage up to the proscenium. It can also include a second
turntable, eccentric or concentric. By combining turntable
movement with different wagon systems, various dramatic
and dynamic effects can be obtained.

The main surface of the stage is provided with the usual
removable traps which can be changed to suit. The gridiron
complex covers the surface equivalent in stage area to that
of the classical stage tower, but is extended over the side
stage areas as well, where it can be used either for trial
rigging or as a storage space for productions, when reduced
portal openings are used on the main stage.

Panoramic stage within opening of

In our layout the main complex of the auditorium contains
1,200 seats, with possibilities for limiting the capacity using a curtain wall, or to enlarge it to 1 AOO in the case of
a stage without a portal and to 1,900 in case of central
staging, arranged as an amphitheatre. By adding to the big
auditorium a small experimental auditorium designed for variable staging, arrangements also permit that certain shows
generally staged with Italianate scenery for the big stage
might be transposed to the small stage. Therefore, the stage
of the small hall has been provided with an opening of
about 45 feet which corresponds to the usual openings for
shows using ltalianate scenery on the large stage. In order
to achieve effective flexibility in this auditorium the built-in
ceiling ol(er the forestage and orchestra pit areas can be ad·
justed in height with the rigging, permitting not only the
transformation of its architectural space but also the arrangement of light sources and the change in decor to those
conditions specific to any certain style.

42 meters.

*. Sc~ delchild (fdr6
DOrtal) de 36
m deKhidue.
solo m~,iUl
1.fOO '«uri

Open stage without a portal but with
a 36 meter opening, seating 1 ADO.

Stage with a central turntable
20 meters diameter, amphitheatre
on both sides of the stage.

The whqle function of construction, transportation, use and
storage of the decor is provided for at the same level.
Therefore, the aim is to provide a main artery: the straight
path of the slip stages. The exterior of the building intentionally emphasizes the prominent body of the tower, a pro·
truding dome, parallel to and integral with the theatre func·
tion.
The construction of a theatre constitutes an event marking
important steps in the improvement of traffic patterns. By
restricting oneself to traditional ltalianate theatre one surrenders the possibility for a contemporary solution, the possibility to provide a theatre for our day.

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