The 1,900 capacity theatre, known as the Cats Theatre, was purpose-built, with construction beginning in July 2004. Interestingly, the central stage area is circular and not only the stage, but the first four rows of seating (360 seats) rotate as the performance commences.
Sound design for the production, managed by Masakazu Kanamori, took a year to complete and incorporates a large L-Acoustics sound reinforcement system. Kanamori explained: "We had successfully used the L-Acoustics ARCS speakers on the Cats tour of Japan and really liked the sound. Consequently, we wanted to use them here in Tokyo. With a new stage, new machinery and new audio system we implemented V-Dosc into the design. The other reason for choosing L-Acoustics was the impressive polar response of the system, which we need due to the shape of the stage."
Main left and right arrays consist of four V-Dosc cabinets with a main centre array hidden behind the stage backdrop, which consists of three V-Dosc cabinets and a single high-power DB218 subwoofer. An additional two SB218 subwoofers are positioned on each side of the upper stage area. A centre-cluster of five ARCS is also flown above the stage area providing additional fill, especially to those sitting in the upper tier. Six MTD108a passive two-way speakers provide front-fill for the front row audience, while a further 12 MTD108a speakers have been incorporated to provide under-balcony coverage where, due to obstructions, V-Dosc coverage alone would not be adequate. L-Acoustics LA48a two-channel high power amplifiers provide amplification to the V-Dosc and SB218 subwoofers with the lower powered LA24a powering the ARCS and MTD108a speakers.
Kanamori says: "Because of the unique shape of the stage area, we really needed to place the speakers behind the stage, unlike the more traditional arrangement found in proscenium arched theatres. A complication to this was the fact that we were very limited in terms of available space. In fact, the L-Acoustics speakers really helped out here as they enabled us to work within these restrictions while still creating a clear image."
A network of Lake Contours provides processing for the main PA, while additional EQ processing is from XTA. The FOH console is a Yamaha PM1D, while orchestral playback is via a mirrored Fostex 2424 hard disk system. To maintain optimum audio performance throughout the audio system parallel earth conductors (PECs) have been installed in the theatre. This has significantly cut induced interference that can occur in the audio cabling.
