Sibley contacted staging specialist Maltbury Ltd who visited the school and discussed the options. The versatile Metrodeck system was chosen and Maltbury drew up a detailed package of equipment. Maltbury supplied 60 Metrodeck units, a carefully selected range of legs, 36 handrails and storage solutions for everything. As a result, the school can raise an area of 120sq.m or build tiers seating 232 people - not to mention countless combinations of the two and other quite different structures. The decks are typically used in the hall but have also been employed elsewhere in the school buildings and even outside.
The Metrodeck package was delivered in 2003. Since then the availability of this safe, easy-to-use equipment has not only helped to transform the school's drama output but has been a valuable aid in the school's popular GNVQ in Performing Arts. It has been used for all sorts of arts events - music, dance, celebration evenings - but also for other quite separate activities.
As Sibley says: "The Metrodeck is used frequently. It has a good feel underfoot and is excellent acoustically. Being able to use it in so many ways - or even not at all - has completely changed the way the school uses the hall."
The current production of Hamlet employs more than 50sq.m of Metrodeck as split-level staging. Other units support scenery and some of the remaining stock is used to raise almost half the audience of 200.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
