Project summary

The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London's Barbican Centre is undergoing a rolling program of replacement of the technical equipment in its main theatre. Having already received considerable upgrading to its stagelighting system infrastructure, the most recent phase of the refurbishment was the continuation of a five-year plan initiated by Guildhall’s sound supervisor Steve Hawkins and well known West End sound engineer John Owens.

Briefed to avoid unnecessary disruption to teaching schedules, the bulk of the install was completed in the short time-frame the college summer break afforded. Charcoalblue’s creative director and coincidentally a former student of Guildhall School, Jon Stevens, collaborated with the school on the design and specification of the replacement AV infrastructure. The installation of the scheme was further complicated by Guildhall School’s listed building status. Every hole had to be marked up and then inspected by City Of London engineers before any work could commence.

The scheme comprises two new equipment racks incorporating already purchased d&b EPAC amplifiers and a ClearCom communications system and a digital cuelight system, plus containment, wiring and outlet boxes. In addition the school now has a new stage managers desk, designed by Charcoalblue in close collaboration with Steve Hawkins. The whole scheme interfaces  seamlessly with existing Guildhall AV equipment, paging speakers and infrared systems plus replaced paging amplifiers and intercom system.