Although the construction cost was set at £2.4m, it was a tight budget for a project of this scale. Set within London's green belt, the new building required the demolition of the previous school hall theatre. Theatreplan devised an unusual compact polygonal auditorium for a capacity of up to 400. The geometry reflects the galleried space of an Elizabethan playhouse where the actor or singer is paramount, and also adapts for an end stage presentation when required. The solution is both compact in plan - and therefore more easily affordable - whilst offering all of the client's wish list of facilities.
Peter Ruthven Hall, the partner at Theatreplan who headed the theatre consultancy team, added, "It was very pleasing to work with a client who had the forethought to engage a theatre consultant, and who embraced our innovative concepts and followed them through."
Peter's experiences as architect, theatre designer and consultant were called on to develop a versatile, artistic and practical performance space in collaboration with the building's principal architect, Roger Crundwell of Tuke Manton Architects LLP. The usual reliance on scenery in school productions has been reduced here because the balcony fronts were designed to become the backdrop to the drama; the simple use of lighting effects, drapery and cloths can transform their appearance very easily. Having said that, the first productions embrace the full potential for scenic embellishment.
The attractive, warm auditorium has a feeling of intimacy with the performers from all seating positions. The stage is created using modular platforms in the central well of the polygonal space. Modules can be removed, expanded and contracted to give the versatility requested for a wide variety of performances including drama, musicals, presentations and concerts. The stage can be raised to form a level 'promenade' or party space and transform into a forestage, theatre in-the round or pit format.
Access to the new theatre's auditorium is through the main lobby of the school, and the plan, which was chosen to integrate the theatre and school, offered a second opportunity for a performance space. Between the lobby and the dining hall, Theatreplan created a temporary 'drama studio' space. With a fixed lighting and sound truss mounted in the ceiling, and four-sided tab tracks for blackout drapes, the foyer space can be instantly transformed into a drama studio for lessons, rehearsals, and even performances without affecting concurrent use of adjacent spaces.
The inaugural production that opened the Montaigne Theatre was specially commissioned from David Kenzie, with music by Dr. Robin Fenton. It dramatized the life of the Foundress, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac who lived in Bordeaux from 1556 to 1640. Michel de Montaigne, the renowned 16th century actor, essayist, and supporter of education for all, and after whom the theatre was named, was St. Jeanne's uncle. The play Breath on the Embers is a major work and tested the theatre's facilities to the full, accommodating over 75 players, dancers and musicians.
Theatreplan's Mathew Smethurst-Evans designed the technical facilities, including lighting and sound installations. The theatre lighting installation consists of 158 installed production lighting dimmers, non-dims and maintained circuits which supply Production Lighting Boxes (PLBs) distributed around the theatre that also include DMX and lighting network outlets. High efficiency working lights in the auditorium and stage areas provide bright, e
