WWW.LSIONLINE.COM • APRIL 2020 35top of this, there are four
areas where d&b audiotechnik
systems have been provided,
with local inputs to provide
high quality audio playback for
events and hires. Throughout
the building, we’ve installed a
lighting control backboned local
infrastructure, which allows
event mood lighting to be rigged
and controlled locally or recalled
from the gallery/control room of
any of the Studio spaces.”
“The design of Studio 2 (one
of three of varying sizes and
intended uses) is particularly
flexible, allowing for easy
alternation between theatre,
music, events and TV. Studio
3, the smallest studio, will be
mainly used as a theatrical
space, but does still broadcast
facilities so that TV could use it
as an overspill venue for a larger
show.”
Duncan Stewart, technical
director for Riverside TV Studios,
picks up the story: “In about
2009, we were operating the
main building and started
talking about how difficult it
was to maintain and how, going
forward, we would have to do
something radical about the
building. We looked at options
of refurbishing the building, but
all those plans basically meant
knocking it down as it was the
only real way to redevelop. So,
we looked for a redevelopment
partner and eventually came
to an agreement with Mount
Anvil in 2013. We were granted
planning permission for this
building and closed a year later
in what was then going to be
a three-year redevelopment
period but which ended up
being five.”
Stewart continues: “Before
we closed, we had an embryonic
idea of what we wanted to
put back into the building, we
reached out to Stage Electrics
for some guidance on cost
and equipment. With their
assistance, by 2013 we had
a very high-level design, and
appointed Stage Electrics to
undertake a consultancy review
and produce the documentation
on our behalf to put out to
tender.
“By mid-2017, the new
building was just about weather-
tight, but the construction
market was very buoyant,
which put our initial cost plan
under pressure and additional
funding needed to be found,
along with value-engineering
cuts, in order for the project
to progress. Stage Electrics
were very helpful in this regard,
offering a range of options and
by bringing the PA package and
the stage engineering in Studio
3 into their contract, we were
able to make some real savings,
which helped us get back toVL5LED
WAS H
THE RETURN
OF A LEGEND
VARI-LITE.COM
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