Sherman Theatre
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Stanley Travers Download Original
University theatre equipped to a professional standard incorporating main auditorium, theatre in the round, workshops, rehearsal rooms, gallery and amenities
The Sherman Theatre was built as a twin-auditorium venue. This meets the briefs requirements of being able to accommodate a wide range of drama, music, and film simultaneously. The spaces needed to be flexible, to allow for workshops and teaching, professional and amateur performances.
The plan links the two auditoria by a common foyer. This serves a dual function of isolating the acoustics in each theatre, and marking the entrance from a main road into the foyer’s circulation space.
The main auditorium is based on an octagonal shape, and seats 475 people. This has a fixed stage measuring 11.66m wide and 5.59m high. Below is a pit for up to a 50-person orchestra. The flooring is modular, and comprises 64 panels. The smaller auditorium is an arena which can seat between 143 to 163 people.
The exterior of the theatre and the adjoining union are rectangular in shape and clad in dark red brick with minimal detailing.
Data
- Begun: Mar 1971
- Completed: Apr 1973
- Floor area: 1,711m2
- Sectors: Arts and culture, Education
- Total cost: £420,964
- Tender date: Sep 1970
- Procurement: RIBA local authorities July 1969 revision
- Address: Senghennydd Road , Cardiff, CF24 4YE, United Kingdom
Professional Team
- Architect: Alex Gordon & Partners
- Project architects: Clive Johnson, David Hughes
- Client: University College Cardiff
- Quantity surveyor: W. T. Hills & Co
- M&E Services: M. McCann & Partners
- Structural engineer: Veryard & Partners
- Acoustic consultant: Henry Humphreys
- Main contractor: John Morgan (Construction) Ltd
Suppliers
- Steelwork: Connies of Cardiff Ltd
- Electrical installation: Drake & Scull Ltd
- Modular floor panels: Hewetsons Ltd
- Auditorium seating: Race Furniture Ltd
- Aluminium doors, screens & windows: John Williams of Cardiff Ltd