Soweto Theatre - a dream realised

Loud and proud, there’s nothing modest about Soweto Theatre. A vibrant marker of positive change, the new theatre stands high on the Jabulani plain, adjacent to the famous Jabulani stadium. Visible from miles around, its three primary coloured cuboid theatre spaces shimmer in the bright South African sunshine joyfully exuding pride and optimism. For pure iconic status South Africa could not have done any better than the fabulous Soweto Theatre.

Soweto Theatre, built as part of a multi-million rand regional regeneration project, opened on Africa Day – 25 May 2012. The inspired design of architects Afritects theatre consultancy was provided by respected set and lighting designer Denis Hutchinson.

From conception to completion the venue has embraced local skill and talent that has worked alongside local distributors and entertainment technology specialists: DWR Distribution, Prosound, Electrosonic SA cc, Sound Harmonics among others. Between them they supplied Aubrey Nndaba’s Sowetan installation firm, Muthiyane Trading, with the entertainment technology, support and expertise he required.

“A key part of the project has been to involve the local community,’ explains Hutchinson.
“This is where Aubrey and his team came in. Aubrey lives in Soweto and employs and trains local people. He has worked in close co-collaboration with the South African Roadies Association (SARA) – a training organisation – to ensure the next generation of backstage workers have the opportunity to work at the theatre.’

Soweto Theatre comprises three primary coloured, tiled cuboids each of which encapsulates a theatre: red is the main proscenium theatre with a capacity of 436, blue is the large studio (capacity 152) and yellow is the small studio (capacity 88).

All three are linked, both backstage and FOH, by curved metal clad exterior walls sculpted at the base to provide camber for skateboarding. FOH a high tensile, tented terrace leads into an airy, full height, glass fronted foyer looking out across the sprawling Soweto landscape.

Inside the main auditorium, and bringing an irresistible sense of intimacy to the space, steeply raked, plush red seating is arranged in a traditional horseshoe circle along with the three-dimensional acoustic wall linings focus down onto an impressively large stage. Packed with the latest technology, the theatre will provide a training ground for many an aspiring local young designer director or technician.

Because of this theatre making is not hidden and equipment has been chosen for its robust usability, efficiency and flexibility.
The backbone of the lighting in all spaces is a number of ETC Source Four fresnels and profiles supplied by ETC Distributor Pro Sound. “The Source Four Fresnels were a late entry in the running. The output is impressive for a 750w fixture. They’re well built and because all they share the same lamp it reduces the stock the theatre has to hold,’ says Ian Blair of Prosound.
“We supplied 216 Source Fours spread between the three performance spaces including 72 new Source Four Fresnels, introduced into South Africa in January this year.’

Prosound also supplied accessories including barn doors, top hats, irises, Gobo holders, boom arms and lens tubes.
In addition Electrosonic SA supplied ADB Warp/Ms front of house and Martin TW1s onstage – chosen for their quiet operation. “Dennis’ selection of these fixtures make the statement that tungsten automated lights still have a place in the theatre industry in spite of the advances in discharge and LED technology,’ says Bruce Schwartz from Electrosonic. “This was the first use of the Martin TW1 in South Africa. We’ve been working with Dennis for a while to get them included in a prestigious theatre installation, finally that chance came with the Soweto Theatre and we’re extremely proud.’

Hutch also specified a number of Philips Selecon Arena 2k Fresnels. “I selected the Arena for the necessary punch required for key light,’ says Hutch.

Hutch asked Duncan Riley at DWR Distribution to advise on the latest in LED lighting. The result was the specification of a number of Robe Robin 600E Spots and 300 LED washes. “The Robe Robin 600 Spots have a fantastic light output for the power consumption and are great for delivering gobo washes and beam effects while the 300LEDs are Parcan killers for saturated colour back light. While not as quiet as the Warps and TW1s the 600s are very usable in a dramatic situation as well as for a little flash for musical programmes.’
To save space and negate the need for dimmer rooms or long cable runs Hutch specified Philips Strand Lighting Wall Rack dimmers in each space. DWR’s Duncan Riley discusses: “Hutch wanted to maximise working performance space and capitalise on flexibility without the need for dedicated dimmer rooms. The super compact Philips Wall racks were an ideal solution.’

“In all spaces the lighting and distribution system comprises a number of multicores terminated with Socapex outlets, which are deployed around the spaces and on the bars, feeding back to the dimmers,’ explains Riley. “This solution presents the simplest and most efficient way to distribute dimming to exactly where it’s needed.’

Lighting control is via a GrandMA2 Light and in the studios, GrandMA2 Ultra Light. Hutch is a self confessed MA addict. He chose the consoles for the flexibility and stability they offer: “They maybe small but they’re extremely powerful. I wanted to keep the same protocol running throughout the venue and of course they are all compatible with the rest of the grandMA range.’
Over the main stage are 43 counter-weight fly sets: “Motorised sets are really not affordable for us and given the high unemployment rate in the country it’s better to create a few more jobs,’ says Hutch.

The theatre also has a simple orchestra pit. “We have been careful to design a venue that is compatible with other the drama venues in the country. We’re a great deal better equipped than most, so visiting companies should find they can do a little bit more here.’
The studios are equally functional. A mezzanine technical gallery runs the full circumference of each. From these technicians can access fixed lighting bridges offering almost every conceivable lighting position. Dimming is neat and discrete in the form of Philips Strand Lighting Wall Racks – 120 ways in the larger blue studio and 96 in the small yellow one.

Drapes hang from the inner edge of the mezzanine galleries and facilitate a masked off passage in any configuration. Numerous facility panels on both the upper and ground levels make the spaces accommodating in any layout be it thrust, end on or promenade.
In terms of seating Hutch specified a system of Prolyte rostrum, built bespoke by Prosound Pty, to maximise the space available. “The Prolyte system has been a triumph,’ says Hutch. “Built of aluminium it’s extremely lightweight and quick to build. Some rostra have been built to custom size to enable us to use each space as effectively as possible.’

Lighting kit for both studios comprise ETC Source Four profiles and Fresnels and a scattering of Robe 300 LED Washes. DWR’s Riley says: “The great thing about the Robe 300 LEDWash is that they offer great flexibility and excellent homogenisation of the light source. Colour mixing is smooth and the range of colours achievable is vast. In addition, for a moving head it is lightweight, quiet and compact, ideal for studio theatre use for back light and stage colour washes where space and accessibility can be an issue.’
In terms of sound all venues, including the main house, feature L-Acoustics PA. Richard Smith of system supplier and installer, Sound Harmonics, explains: “We worked in close collaboration with Hutch, the acoustician Ivan Lin and Aubrey of Muthiyane Trading to deliver the best possible solution for the three venues. Hutch specified L-Acoustics KIVA / KILO PA for all venues with Yamaha digital control.’

“This is actually the third prestigious venue in South Africa this year to choose an L-Acoustics KIVA/KILO system.’ says Smith “The main house PA comprises four L-Acoustics KILO Low Extension Speakers and twelve Kiva Line Source Array speakers augmented with four of SB18i Sub Bass Speakers and JBL JRX100 Monitor Wedges. In addition there are a number of floating boxes for the main house and installed in the studios. These include L-Acoustics 12XTi 12′ Co-axial Speakers and L-Acoustics 8XTI 8′ Co-axial Speakers.’
Amp set up comprises: four L-Acoustics LA4 Amplifiers for the main house and one each in a flight case for the studios. The main house also uses four Crown XLS1500 Stereo Amplifiers to power eight JBL JRX100 Monitor Wedges.

“The L-ACOUSTICS KIVA system is ideal for the variety of applications this venue will host. Anything from an intimate play to a big musical production,’ Smith explains. “KIVA is an effective solution for focusing energy on the audience, with headroom to spare. Because there are three venues (all different sizes) scalability was crucial. We knew that whatever we put in would be moved from venue to venue.’

Mixing is via a Yamaha 01V96 – 32 Channel Mixing Consoles in the studio theatres and a Yamaha LS9 -32 – 64 Channel Digital Mixing Console for the main house. A wide range of mics were specified because at the time the theatre did not have a clear idea what it would produce.

In addition Sound Harmonics specified the audio cabling and design of the facility / patch panel lay out in each venue along with the stage management desk and calls system, comms and video relay for all spaces.

With such high profile technology featuring in three very different venues the significance of Soweto Theatre cannot be ignored. It is one of a number of indicators to the world that there is positive economic and social change happening on the ground in Soweto.
Just a few decades ago the very suggestion that Soweto could have a theatre on this scale or attract the audiences to fill it would have seemed inconceivable; today the theatre symbolises everything that is remarkable, proud, hopeful and inspired about the country’s people and the long held determination of the closely knit South African arts community as a whole.

Tech Box

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