PLAYHOUSE AUDITORIUM & STAGE DETAILS

AUDITORIUM DETAILS .............................................................................................................................. 2

Auditorium Capacity ....................................................................................................................... 2
Seating layout ................................................................................................................................. 2
Orchestra pit ................................................................................................................................... 2
Mixer seats...................................................................................................................................... 2
Access from stage to auditorium .................................................................................................... 2
Foyers ............................................................................................................................................. 2
STAGE & PROSCENIUM DIMENSIONS.................................................................................................... 2
Stage Width .................................................................................................................................... 3
Stage Depth.................................................................................................................................... 3
Stage Height ................................................................................................................................... 3
Stage Surface ................................................................................................................................. 3
Thrust Stage ................................................................................................................................... 3
Proscenium..................................................................................................................................... 3
Theatre Back Wall .......................................................................................................................... 4
FLYING SYSTEM & STAGE DRAPES ....................................................................................................... 4
Flying System ................................................................................................................................. 4
Panorama Bars............................................................................................................................... 4
House Curtain................................................................................................................................. 4
Water Curtain.................................................................................................................................. 4
Stage drapes .................................................................................................................................. 4
Rigging Points................................................................................................................................. 4
STANDARD RIG.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Staging “Standard Rig” ................................................................................................................... 5
Lighting “Standard Rig”................................................................................................................... 5
Control rooms ................................................................................................................................. 5
ADDITIONAL STAGING ITEMS.................................................................................................................. 5
Music Stands and Sconce Lights ................................................................................................... 5
Lecterns .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Tarquett........................................................................................................................................... 5
Rostra ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Pianos ............................................................................................................................................. 6
STAGE MANAGEMENT CONTrOL SYSTEM ............................................................................................ 6
Prompt Corner ................................................................................................................................ 6
Talk Back ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Radio Talkback ............................................................................................................................... 6
Cue Lights....................................................................................................................................... 6
Cast Call And Stage Sound Relay ................................................................................................. 6
Warning Bell System ...................................................................................................................... 6
Internal Telephone System ............................................................................................................ 6
Stage Monitor Television Facilities................................................................................................. 6
DRESSING ROOMS ................................................................................................................................... 7
Visiting Management Offices.......................................................................................................... 7
Green Room ................................................................................................................................... 7
Wardrobe Room ............................................................................................................................. 7
ACCESS ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Stage Door...................................................................................................................................... 7
Passenger Vehicle Access............................................................................................................. 7
Heavy Vehicle Access .................................................................................................................... 7
Loading Dock.................................................................................................................................. 8
Car Parking..................................................................................................................................... 8
Security ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Smoking .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Bicycles........................................................................................................................................... 8
AUDITORIUM DETAILS
Auditorium Capacity
Full Auditorium capacity 614
Auditorium less vomitory seats (3 seats per side rows A to D – total 24) 590
Auditorium with pit or thrust (less 46) 568
Total stalls capacity 382
Stalls without vomitory and pit seats (less 70) 312
Balcony capacity 232
Balcony less boxes (less 32) 200

• NB: The Trust retains the rights to an additional 10 seats held by the AFCT as House Seats,
Ushers Seats and Trouble Seats.
The Theatre has the capacity for a total of 8 wheel chairs (4 wheelchairs in Box 3 and 4 wheelchairs in Box 6).
Wheelchair seats will be released for general public sale by the Bass Client Services staff in liaison with the
hirer.

Seating layout
Please use the “Playhouse Plans and Drawings” link at the top of this page to view a drawing of the Playhouse
seating layout.

Orchestra pit
The Playhouse has an orchestra pit that is created by removing rows BB, CC & DD (a total of 46 seats). Row A
becomes the front row less seats 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27 to which access is restricted when the
orchestra pit is being used.

The floor of the orchestra pit is 2.29mtrs below the stage surface.

The orchestra pit is 7.7mtrs wide at the down stage edge, and has a depth of 3.96mtrs on the centre line.
The recommended capacity is 18 musicians, although this is very much dependent on instrumentation and
orchestral layout.

The pit is accessed via treads from the basement.

• NB: The Second Schedule (supplied with theatre hire contract to be completed by the hirer &
returned to the AFCT) must clearly specify if the orchestra pit is being used.

Mixer seats
There is a “standard auditorium mixing position” at the rear of the stalls:

Row K seat No. 16 – 23 inclusive, Row L seat No. 16 – 23 inclusive and Row M seat No. 16 – 23 inclusive.

This “standard hold” reduces the capacity by a total of 24 seats.

Please Note: The Second Schedule (supplied with theatre hire contract to be completed by the hirer & returned
to the AFCT) must clearly specify the number of mixer seats to be withdrawn from sale.

Access from stage to auditorium

The Playhouse has access from the auditorium to the stage via emergency exit stairs fitted into the proscenium
underneath each Juliet Balcony. Additional treads are available from the Head Mechanist.

Foyers
The Drama Centre Foyer is a shared facility, providing public access to the Space Theatre, Bistro and Artspace.
The foyer is normally open to the public two hours prior to any public performance. Access to the foyer at other
times must be arranged with the Patron Services Department.

For information about signage, hanging of banners and foyer displays please refer to “Conditions of use of the
venue” using the link in the navigation bar at the top of this page.

• NB: The AFC is not able to provide foyer display boards.

STAGE & PROSCENIUM DIMENSIONS

Stage Width
The timber stage extends 7.98mtrs either side of the centre line, giving a total width of 15.95mtrs of timber
surface.

The stage continues as a concrete surface on each side and at the rear of the timber performing area.

The OP wall is 12mtrs from the centre line.

The PS fly rail (at stage level) is 11.4mtrs from the centre line.

Stage Depth
The following depth dimensions are measured from the setting line (an imaginary line at the rear of the
proscenium arch).

Upstage:
Setting line to back wall: 11.91mtrs.
Setting line to downstage edge of rear stage gallery: 11mtrs
Setting line to up stage edge of timber stage: 9.45mtrs
Setting line to last fly line: 10.6mtrs
Setting line to House Curtain: 0.18mtrs

Downstage:
Setting line to down stage edge of permanent stage: 0.12mtrs
NB: There is no stage apron in this venue
Setting line to down stage edge of thrust stage (on centre line): 2.74mtrs
Setting line to down stage edge of orchestra pit (on centre line): 3.96mtrs
NB: The thrust stage is smaller than the orchestra pit.

Stage Height
Stage height above front row of stalls: 0.91mtrs
Clearance from stage to underside of first loading gallery: 7.16mtrs
Clearance from stage to underside of grid: 18.3mtrs
Orchestra pit depth from stage: 2.29mtrs
**Pit lift also extends down to basement level @ 3.6mtrs below stage level

Stage Surface
The Playhouse stage is constructed of 32mm tongue-in-groove oak laid on Oregon joists. The stage is
completely covered with 8mm thick Masonite laid in 1.2mtr x 3.6mtr sheets.

The stage is painted in a matt black acrylic paint.

There is no rake.

There is a trap area down stage centre.

Thrust Stage
The thrust stage is created by raising orchestra pit to stage level and adding wedge shaped rostra units to ends.
It is 7.6mtrs wide on the downstage edge, and widens to 12.2mtrs when it meets the stage proper
The thrust is 2.74mtrs deep (from the setting line) on the centre line.
Pit seats are stored in the basement.
The thrust stage is not part of standard rig, and hirers should budget for the set up and removal labour costs.

The Playhouse is also equipped with “vomitory ramps” which are located below the extreme seats at each end of
Rows A to D inclusive. The vomitory ramps can be used to access the thrust stage from the basement, although
significant Mechanist’s time would be required to create such access.

Proscenium
The Playhouse has a proscenium opening with a fixed width of 12.3mtrs. It is painted matt black.

A smaller proscenium opening can be created with soft masking only.

There is a proscenium header (or teaser) that runs on a track incorporated into the sides of the proscenium.
This header uses counterweight line # 6 and it cannot be removed. The header is a timber construction and is
painted matt black.
The height of proscenium header is adjustable. It can be lowered to the stage surface to form a complete barrier
if required.

At its maximum “out” position the header sits approximately 7mtrs clear of the stage.

The “standard rig” setting for the header is 6.5mtrs

Theatre Back Wall

The Playhouse has a concrete back wall, which is painted mat black.

FLYING SYSTEM & STAGE DRAPES

Flying System
The Playhouse has 58 single purchase counterweight sets.
All lines have a 380kg barrel weight limit.
There are 52 counterweight lines upstage of the proscenium and 6 lines down stage of proscenium (over
thrust).

All lines are operated from stage prompt side with the normal operating position at stage level.
All barrels are 2inch water pipe (48mm outer diameter) with 5 pick ups at average 3.65mtrs intervals

The counterweight barrels upstage of proscenium are nominally 16.36mtrs in length, although there is some
variation.

The counterweight barrels down stage of proscenium range from 14.02mtrs in length (Line #7) to 9.95mtrs in
length (Line #1)

Maximum barrel drift from stage: 17.5mtrs

Minimum barrel drift from stage: 1mtr

Panorama Bars
Line 41 has been diverted as the prompt side panorama bar
Line 42 has been diverted as the OP panorama bar

The venue has a quantity of barrel extensions available.

The Playhouse is equipped with four pre-wired overhead spot bars (with 30 outlets each) and one Flood Bar

House Curtain
House curtain is permanently hung on line #8 (0.18mtrs up stage of the setting line).
The house curtain has a fly action only, and is manually operated from prompt side fly rail.

The house curtain is dark blue velvet with a centre split.

The house curtain works in conjunction with the drencher system and must remain clear and able to be brought
in at all times.

Water Curtain
The Playhouse Theatre has an emergency sprinkler system fitted in the ceiling of the auditorium just underneath
the No.1 lighting bridge. The system is operated from Prompt corner, and it drenches the house curtain to
create a “water-curtain fire wall”.

Stage drapes
12 Black Legs - No fullness 9.5mtrs high x 5mtrs wide
6 Black Borders - No fullness 4mtrs high x 19mtrs wide
1 Topping Border - No fullness 6mtrs high x 19mtrs wide
8 Sets of black Tabs (drawn curtains) - No fullness 9.5mtrs high x 8.5mtrs wide
1 Black Smother – No fullness 8.5mtrs high x 19mtrs wide
1 Cotton Cyclorama 9mtrs high x 19mtrs wide
1 Plastic Cyclorama 9.mtrs high x 16.3mtrs wide
1 Black Gauze 8.5mtrs high x 16.3mtrs wide
1 White Gauze 8.5mtrs high x 16.3mtrs wide

Rigging Points
The Playhouse Theatre has a series of on stage and front of house rigging points. All rigging must be
supervised by one of the AFC’s certified rigger at the hirer’s expense.
STANDARD RIG
Staging “Standard Rig”
"Standard Rig" describes the set up of the stage and lighting equipment at the commencement of a hire period.
The hirer is responsible for the return to standard rig at the conclusion of their production when changes are
made.

Width of proscenium: 12.3mtrs

Standard rig height of teaser: 6.5mtrs
Standard rig height of borders: 7mtrs

Width of legs: 12.3mtrs

Depth of legs No 1 (Line #17) 2.1mtrs
No 2 (Line #29) 4.6mtrs
No 3 (Line #40) 6.8mtrs
No 4 (Line # 48) 8.5mtrs
Depth of black mid stage tabs (fly only): 5.7mtrs
Depth of upstage black tabs (fly or drawn): 10.4mtrs
Depth of cyclorama: 10.6mtrs
• NB: Depth measurements are from the Setting Line. (An imaginary line across the rear of the
proscenium arch.) The standard rig will require AFCT staff for its operation.

A plan of the stage showing the position of these standard rig drapes is included on the Playhouse Plans &
Drawings page via the navigation bar at the top of this page.

Lighting “Standard Rig”

4 colour washes (overhead and front of house)
(generally red, blue, amber and open white or one other colour)

4 colours on the cyclorama at full stage depth

(matching red, blue, amber and open white or one other colour)

Although the Lighting Standard Rig will be hung and patched at the commencement of theatre hire, it will not
necessarily be coloured or focused. The colouring and focusing work will take four AFC Lighting technicians
approximately two hours at the commencement of the hire period.

Control rooms
The Sound Control Room is at rear of the stalls, on the OP side of the auditorium with a removable single glazed
window.

The Lighting Control Room is at rear of the stalls, on the Prompt side of the auditorium with a fixed double glazed
window.

The Projection Booth is at rear of the stalls, in the centre of the auditorium with a fixed double glazed window.
Some stage-managers choose to call the show from the projection booth.

ADDITIONAL STAGING ITEMS

Music Stands and Sconce Lights
The Festival Centre has a stock of music stands, sconce lights and orchestral chairs.

Lecterns
The Festival Centre has 2 black lecterns. Any requirement to use lecterns must be included in the Hirer’s
Technical Requirements Form to ensure availability

Tarquett
A range of dance tarquetts is available for use in the Playhouse Theatre.

Rostra
The AFC owns a stock of rostra in 1.2mtr x 2.4mtr units which are shared between all Trust venues. Please
check the availability of rostra with the Production Coordinator before committing to use it.
Pianos
The following instruments are owned by the AFC and shared amongst all venues. The pianos are available by
arrangement with the Production Coordinator. There are no hire fees for the pianos although moving and tuning
charges apply.

Piano Case Size Case Colour

1 x Steinway Model D Grand Piano 1580mm x 2740mm Matt Black
2 x Yamaha C7 Medium Grand Pianos 1560mm x 2230mm Gloss Black
3 Yamaha Uprights 1540mm x675mm Gloss Black

STAGE MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM

Prompt Corner
The Stage Manager’s console is situated in Prompt Corner provided with talkback, cast call microphone,
telephone (8216 8559), FOH Video monitor and announcement microphone.

Talk Back
The theatre has Clearcom hard-wired talkback distributed to sound and lighting control rooms, technical offices,
OP and P corner, the fly rail, production desk in row G of auditorium. Additional outstations can be rigged upon
request.

Radio Talkback
The Playhouse is equipped with a UHF Motorola Visar two-way radio system. There are a total of six units in
this venue, each with headsets. The AFC requests that hirers allocate radio headset to the AFC’s Head
Technicians working on stage.

Cue Lights
Cue lights are not provided as part of the theatre’s standard rig, but can be allocated through the AFC’s Sound
Department.

Cast Call And Stage Sound Relay

Castcall and Stage Sound is provided to all to all Dressing rooms and common Green Room. Each room can
dial either the Festival, Space or Playhouse theatres and vary the Stage Sound volumes, but the Castcall
announcements cannot be switched down/ off.

Warning Bell System

Warning bells to all foyers and public areas are controlled by Front of House Manager.

Internal Telephone System

The telephone at the Stage Manager’s console gives direct communication to the House Manager, offices and
box office. Outside lines can be obtained by dialing 0. The Stage management phone has a small flashing light
only as an incoming call alert.

Stage Monitor Television Facilities

Television monitoring facilities are available in Prompt corner, OP Corner, Green Room and the foyer. Additional
monitors are not part of the standard rig, but can be installed by AFC’s Sound Department.
DRESSING ROOMS
Room No. Nominal Capacity Approx. Size Amenities
1, 2 and 3 These rooms service the
Space Theatre

4 1person 9 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet Phone: 08 8216 8565

5 1 person 9 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
6 1 person 9 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
7 1 person 9 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
8 1person 9 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
9 1 person 9 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
10 8 persons 20 sq mtrs 2 shower 1 toilet Phone: 08 8216 8966 and
Fax 8216 8967
11 4 persons 11 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
12 5 persons 11 sq mtrs 1 shower 1 toilet
14 Not Available n/a STC Wigs Room

Visiting Management Offices

Dressing Room no. 10 is recommended for visiting company and stage management.

Green Room
The Playhouse and Space Theatres share a small Green Room near the dressing rooms. It has a kitchenette
with hot water, sink and fridge. This green room also has stage sound, cast call and a stage video monitor.

The Festival Theatre’s Green Room located is located approximately 100mtrs from the Playhouse, and is a
shared facility for all artists and staff in the complex. The FT Green Room includes a cafeteria (operating when
the FT is running), vending machines and an outdoor eating area.

Wardrobe Room
The Wardrobe Room is a shared facility with the Space Theatre. Incoming companies are asked to make this
condition known to their wardrobe staff and artists to avoid confusion. Cooperation is requested to ensure other
users of the Drama Centre are also able to utilise the Wardrobe Room.

The Wardrobe Room has an approximate floor area of 25sq mtrs. It is equipped with:
• Work table
• Ironing board and Iron
• 2 automatic washing machines
• 2 tumble dryers and 1 upright dryer
• Washing tub
• 10 mobile storage racks (dispersed through all dressing rooms)
• A domestic sewing machine
• An industrial sewing machine

ACCESS
Stage Door
The Festival Centre has a common stage door which services all venues within the complex. The stage door is
located in Stage Door Lane, off Festival Drive, opposite the Adelaide Railway Station.

The stage door is staffed with an attendant from 7.30am to 11pm (Monday to Saturday). A stage door attendant
will also be rostered whenever performances are scheduled outside these hours.

Stage door is contactable on ph (08) 8216 8724, fax (08) 8216 8953.

Passenger Vehicle Access

Passenger vehicle access to Stage Door Lane and the Playhouse Foyer is via Festival Drive (off King William
St).
Height Clearance 2.1mtrs

Heavy Vehicle Access

Heavy vehicle access to the Playhouse Loading Dock is from North Terrace (in front of Casino). Drivers travel
down the ramp (which is well sign posted in front of the Casino), and turn right at the bottom of the ramp into
Stage Door Lane. Drivers must leave their rig in the loading zone at the bottom of the ramp and contact the
stage door attendant to negotiate traffic suitable traffic control before pulling into Stage Door Lane. There is a
4.5mtrs height clearance on this route.

Loading Dock
• NB: There is restricted vehicle access to the Playhouse/ Space loading dock & it is essential that
short-nose prime movers are used when full sized semi trailers are used.
The dock is an end loading single vehicle facility.

The loading dock is 1.24mtrs high.

There is a 1500kg SWL hydraulic lift platform, from ground level to dock level, as a permanent installation
immediately in front of the dock. This lift platform is 2.75mtrs wide x 1.5mtrs deep.

The dock door itself, is 3.15mtrs high x 2.75mtrs wide.

Access from the loading dock to stage level is via a hydraulic goods lift. This lift is 7.3mtrs long x 2.4mtrs wide x
2.75mtrs high and has a 4355kg SWL
Access to Playhouse stage is then via STC workshop. The door from the STC workshop into the Playhouse is
3mtrs wide x 5.5mtrs high and provides full acoustic isolation.

Car Parking
• NB: Vehicles must not be left unattended in stage door lane.
Parking is available in the underground car park (hourly rates apply) and the Convention Centre car park
immediately west of The Adelaide Festival Centre, (hourly rates apply).

Security
The Festival Centre Trust does not accept responsibility for valuables, including computers and musical
equipment, brought into the complex.
Wallets, purses and jewelry should never be left in dressing rooms. The Stage Door Attendant can hold such
items.

Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Festival Centre complex. Artists and crew wishing to smoke can do so in
the Green Room courtyard or Stage Door lane.
Stage sound and cast call speakers operate in both these areas.

Bicycles
Bicycles are not permitted in the theatre and must be left in the dock or car park.