Lawrence Batley Theatre
Huddersfield, UK
Theatre Projects
Architectural treatment was kept low key in order to interpose the minimum physical and visual barriers between actors and audience. This approach is particularly well-suited to the flexible courtyard. The central area is mechanised so as to provide a convincing thrust stage alternative to an end stage. The encircling galleries step up around the corner boxes. This enabled a minimum floor-to-floor dimension to be achieved at the sides, where emptiness is to be avoided in courtyard theatres. The result is the most densely packed of recent courtyards. This multiform theatre can be configured in several ways: as a full end stage – with or without orchestra pit, an end stage with forestage or thrust stage, or for flat floor events.
Lawrence Batley Theatre
owner:
Kirklees Theatre Trust
architect:
The Design Practice
acoustician:
Arup Acoustics
users:
Full Body and the Voice, Chol Theatre, Diversity Dance, local and regional groups, and touring performances
spaces:
- 477-seat drama theatre
construction type:
Adaptive reuse
theatre type:
Auditorium design/seating, Concept design, Drama theatres
services:
Concept design, theatre planning, and theatre equipment design and specification
completion:
1994
Lawrence Batley Theatre