Audio Media, March 2012

ehind the curtain
> ed at the mix position, which in turn
>
reduces the footprint of space needed
for the mix position – very important
in our main theatre as this means we
don’t have to take up valuable seat positions
that could be sold.” He is also clear
on the importance of keeping up with
advancing technologies: “As audiences
experience excellent sound quality from
going to the cinema, different theatres,
even in their own front rooms, we as
a theatre need to invest in our equipment
to ensure it doesn’t fall behind
the quality our audiences get elsewhere.
However, the sound department can
have a bit of a battle, budget wise.
The kit tends to be expensive, and making
a convincing business case for a bigger
budget can be difficult.”
At the Brewhouse, Amy Spencer
agreed that this is a major stumbling
block for many regional theatres wanting
to keep pace with technology
improvements. “Sound has improved
massively within the industry, and
technology has helped this – although
equipment is still very expensive.
We are a theatre with a severe lack of
funding, so all budgets are extremely
tight.” And the encroachment of digital
desks into regional theatres has thrown
up some other problems, explained
David Sherman, back at the New Wolsey.
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“It’s very difficult to have an all-round
technical staff that can use digital
desks. I think it’s becoming more a
specialist industry.”
Testing, Testing…
So ever-decreasing budgets, a battle
between the enhancements of digital
technology and the difficulty of maintaining
a small team who can do it all,
the administrative nightmare of officially
training new technicians and
an increasingly demanding audience
– these are definitely testing times for
regional theatre.
On the other hand, everyone seems to
relish the challenges that are thrown at
them day after day. “It’s hugely diverse
– the spectrum is vast,” said the Royal
and Derngate’s Stuart West – something
that does not faze Amy Spencer at the
Brewhouse. “You have to be very adaptable
in a regional theatre as every show
is different.”
David Sherman at the New Wolsey
summed up his attitude, which could
easily apply to almost everyone I spoke
to. “We have something different
every week that we are trying to make
ourselves – I have an input into the creative
side. You can push the boundaries.
You can try out different things and
develop people and their skills.” ∫
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38 AUDIO MEDIA MARCH 2012