Frome Memorial Theatre
Following an inspection, we were called upon to upgrade the raise-and-lower flying installation at the historic Frome Memorial Theatre.
The Problem
A key area let down by inadequate and dated equipment.
The drama hall at Gloucester Academy needs to be a versatile space. With approximately 750 students, the secondary school has limited areas large enough to accommodate big groups. The hall, with retractable tiered seating, made “a brilliant place for assemblies – but it was underused,” explains Nathan Emery, IT Services Manager.
The main issue was that the audio-visual (AV) equipment wasn’t suited to the size of the room. A screen on wheels could be brought in but was “a pain to set up” as it required additional input every time it was required. It was also so small that students seated at the back of the hall couldn’t see it properly. The school wanted to make more use of the hall and decided it was time to upgrade their equipment.
The Solution
A large hanging screen with projector, designed to work for the space and be simple enough to use regularly.
“Our mandate was to create a more usable presentation space,” says Emery. “We knew what we wanted to achieve but not how to do it.”
They invited proposals from Solutions On Stage and local suppliers. Solutions On Stage quickly stood out for both their quote (the only one under budget) and their proactive approach to the project.
“From day one, they put every consideration into getting the solution right,” says Emery. “They came to the site two to three times, doing their due diligence. Their attention to detail was world’s apart.”
He found the specification process to be “vital”. The school wanted a much larger screen with a central location for controls, that would be easy for staff to use. Solutions On Stage balanced what they needed against their budget, making sure there were no unnecessary extras and incorporating some existing kit which Emery wanted to repurpose.
“It was an open dialogue,” says Emery. “Their questions were all very on point. We rarely spend that amount of money in one go, so it was comforting to feel we were getting it right.”
With their experience in professional theatre, Emery also felt confident Solutions On Stage had the expertise to hang the large screen and make sure everything was done properly.
The installation took place over several days. Solutions On Stage worked with Emery to make the arrangements for this, fitting around the school’s needs. “They were very courteous on site and mindful of their surroundings,” he comments.
Solutions On Stage then conducted training and produced simple labels for the equipment, so it would be easy for teachers to set this up, without needing input from the IT team.
The Result
A practical space for larger groups, with easy to use AV equipment that staff can access as needed.
Simplicity was a key part of the brief, to encourage staff to use the AV equipment regularly and make the most of the investment. This has certainly been the case, with the drama hall now occupied several times a day.
“The space is so much more usable,” says Emery.
The project was so successful the school decided to follow this up with an even bigger screen in the sports hall, with a projector and new sound system. This installation needed to work in a busy environment: Solutions On Stage added a custom-built cage around the projector to protect from rogue sports equipment (“They thought of it all – even the shuttlecocks can’t get in.”), along with a bespoke cabinet to house the controls, which sits within the sports storage area and is robust enough to withstand any knocks.
This has opened up the use of the sports hall, as the screen makes it perfect for whole school assemblies, as well as other initiatives, such as ‘walking-talking mocks’ where teachers go through exam techniques with students. Both the sports and drama halls have become much more dynamic areas for the school, thanks to the investment in bespoke AV and sound equipment designed to work for the available space – and, importantly, that’s straightforward to use.
Having recently hosted a maths conference, the school is considering hiring the rooms for external events to boost income. For now, the focus is on bringing students together, with the new facilities enabling different group activities.
Who We Work With
