Talking of steps, the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) is one very significant step closer to opening their new theatres in the Southbank Arts Precinct. MTC Artistic Director Simon Phillips has announced today that the two theatres will be named in honour of John Sumner and Ray Lawler. The complex designed by architects Ashton, Raggat, McDougall and funded in part by the State Government will open in 2009.
In 1953 Sumner was the founding director of the Union Theatre Repertory Company, which was renamed the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1968. The Sumner Theatre will be the main stage at the new premises. The auditorium will hold 500 people with best practices procedures for accommodating people with limited mobility. The foyers feature extensive glass paneling allowing for natural light in both upper and lower levels. The toilet ratio, particularly for women, was also given special consideration so intervals won't look like grocery shopping in the Soviet Union. The special feature will be the Sumner Theatre's interior with LED panels displaying quotes from famous plays (including Lawler's magnum opus) around the walls like a theatrical Stock Exchange.
The LED display will be the modern day counterpart of the chandeliers and painted cherubs of old theatres while the theatre's technical facilities will be able to create, according to Phillips , "a sacrosanct atmosphere" to theatre goers. The proscenium arch can expand from 10.5 metres up to 16.5 metres or can retract completely removing all barriers between audience and stage. The stage too can connect with the auditorium gangways allowing actors to progress into and around the audience. The fly tower is 20 metres high with 64 fly tracks allowing for even the most complicated multiple scenery manoeuvres. Backstage includes 8 dressing rooms and offices for technical and production staff.
Named after the playwright and author of The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, the 150 seat Lawler Theatre with no fixed stage or seating configuration will function as the venue for more experimental work, both Australian and "edgier, contemporary European-style work," says Phillips. The upper foyer of the complex, with glass paneling similar to that at BMW Edge at Federation Square, is also intended for audience briefings, recitals and education presentations. The MTC will oversee all aspects of the theatre, including the cafeteria and bars rather than tendering them to private contractors. With annual audiences of 245,000.00 the MTC intends to begin performances at the new theatres from March or April 2009 ahead of the official opening mid 2009.
image: Sumner Theatre (architect's image)
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