Changes to the Swan Theatre
What will happen to the Swan Theatre during the Transformation?
The Swan Theatre will remain largely un-changed but there will be significant improvements made many of which will be hidden behind the scenes but will enhance the audience’s experience, whilst ensuring that everything people love about the Swan is still there when they return.
Carpeting and seating
The auditorium will be re-carpeted on all levels and all seats are being recovered and refurbished with the hope of making them more comfortable.
Wiring and electrical installations
The wiring and electrical installations in the Swan are being replaced and a new induction hearing loop is also being installed, which will improve quality for hearing impaired patrons - and the theatre technicians will benefit from an up-to-date lighting and sound infrastructure.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning system in the Swan has been improved by removing the duct unit in the roof-space, which handled the flow of air. The direction of air flow has now been reversed and we will use the same system as in The Courtyard Theatre, which reduces noise to an absolute minimum.
Additional space and scenic capability
One key benefit of the removal of the duct unit has been that more roof-space has become available above the Swan thrust stage. The original steel beams in the roof had to be cut and sections removed when the duct unit was installed, but these will now be re-instated, returning the capability for flying and hanging scenic items over the stage area.
Lift
The old stage lift in the Swan is to be replaced with a new, mobile version, which we hope at some point will be able to be sited in either of the stages. Additionally, permission has also been sought to install a goods lift in the Swan to help with changeovers. Occupying the central front two rows of the stalls and forming the shape of a trapezium, the goods lift will be a two-tiered mechanism with its upper deck being in the Swan stalls and its lower deck being a goods platform, parked at basement level during shows. It will allow for prop and scenic items to be placed onto the goods platform when at stage level and removed at basement level, and vice versa.