Facilities within Parkinson Suite – the main hall

Technical information for visiting theatre and music groups

Piano

  • Yamaha NU1 digital piano
  • On wheels – can be located anywhere within the Parkinson Suite, Bar, Shaun Fisher and Carnegie rooms.
  • Full size weighted & velocity-sensitive 88 keys
  • Has stereo aux inputs & outputs via ¼” jack sockets

Stage

  • The traditional proscenium arch stage is located in the Parkinson Suite. There is a black backdrop, but no provision for tabs or legs.
  • Full front curtains rope-operated from SL wing.
  • There is a back stage storage area, which is also a route for performers to invisibly cross from one side of the stage to the other.
  • For stage dimensions and on-stage tabs and flats see below.

Stage lighting

Easy-to-use stage lighting is available: HVT Stage Lighting Quick User Guide (pdf)
Comprehensive stage lighting is also available: HVT Full Stage Lighting User Guide (pdf)

  • Zero 88 Chilli 24 channel dimmer racks (mounted below stage)
  • Dimmer control panel – Rank Strand 200 Console (User manual attached)
  • DMX-512 connection sockets allow the dimmer control panel to be located either back stage (SR wing), auditorium (near stage) or in a control room at rear of auditorium (1st floor, accessible from outside auditorium).
  • Cyc lit by dedicated Acclaim Cyc floods, 3 colour circuits

Hornby Stage Lighting circuits (pdf)
Lighting desk manual (pdf)

Auditorium lighting

Diffused fluorescent lights controlled from rear of auditorium. (No back-stage control).

Independent ‘theatre’ lighting controlled from dimmer in SR wing. (DMX control). Alternative control location – from sound mixer position in hall (RHS near stage).

Sound

Sound guide: Quick set-up guide V9 (pdf)

Bass loudspeaker: how to connect and disconnect (pdf)

  • Allen & Heath QU16 digital Mixing Console
  • Allen & Heath AB1608 Stagebox – located in SL wing
  • 2x Ohm BRT10 Speakers + Ohm subwoofer
  • RCF IPS1700 Power amplifier
  • Microphones: 1x Audio Technika radio hand-held mic with stand; 1x Sennheiser radio tie-mic
  • Loudspeakers at front of auditorium (L&R), near stage.
  • Connection points for mixer located in hall (RHS near stage) and in both wings.
  • CD player available on request
  • 1/4 inch and 2.5mm jack inputs available for audio feeds

Power supply

  • Double 13 amp mains sockets:
  • On stage – 1x SR wing; 1x SL wing; 1x Rear stage wall
  • Auditorium – 1x Front near stage RHS; 1x Front near stage LHS; 1x Rear auditorium

Stage and hall dimensions

  • Flats: 4x   3m H x 1.3m x W
    Total area of one side of flats: 3 x 1.3 x 4 = 15.6m2
  • Back wall: 3.5m H x 4.9m W + side bit (wraps around RH side): 3.5m H x 2m W
    Total area of back wall + wrap around: = (3.5 x 4.9) + (3.5 x 2) = 17.2 + 7 = 24.2m2
    Height from stage to proscenium arch = 2.6m
    Main green curtain drop – 3.1m

Seating

Three audience seating arrangements have been approved by Lancaster City Council for public performances:

  • Two rows with centre aisle
  • Café style – tables with seats around

Induction loop

Parkinson Suite (main hall) is covered by an induction loop system for the hearing impaired if required. Microphone located above stage (at the front behind main curtain line).

Load in

Access is at the side of the building via a narrow drive. (Guidance advised for all vehicles). Double doors lead into the main hall and adjacent store room. Vehicles must be left clear of all doors during any performance, due to fire regulations. Doors to stage – 5 metres.

Parking

Limited on-street parking at front of Institute. A free car park is located opposite the Institute.