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Typical stage and auditoria dimensions
ÌýRepertory playhouse - prosceniumRepertory playhouse - open stageCity-centre receiving theatre
Capacity (seats)500-8501000-14001000-1900
Volume/seat (m3) 04-Jun05-Jul03-Jun
Maximum distance to stage (m)19-2316-1922-28
Stage dimensions (m) Ìý15up to 60+
Stage arean/a80-100n/a
Proscenium width 10-Novn/aDec-20
Stage width18-21n/a20-30
Flying heightDec-18n/a18-25
Design criteria
Maximum viewing distancesÌý
Drama20 m
Musicals and opera30 m
Auditorium sizeSeats
National opera and lyric theatres1200-2000+
Regional drama theatre, proscenium archup to 900
Regional theatre, open stage1200-1500
Studio theatre, end-stage courtyard format150-300
Auditorium volumem3 / person
Drama3-5
Music 8
Reverberation timeSeconds
Speech1-2
Orchestral music1-2
Choral music2+
Number of seats / aisleÌý
Gangway on one side7-12 (total number determined by seatway width)
Gangway on both sides14-28
Means of escape provisionin accordance with BS 5588: Part6: 1991
Dressing room provision (m2 / person)Ìý
Principals12-14
Shared 05-Jun
Ventilation ratesÌý
Auditorium and front of house10-15 litres/sec/person
Toilets / dressing rooms10 air changes/hour
Rehearsal spaces6 air changes/hour
Lighting levelsÌý
Auditorium100 lux
Back of house / administration500 lux
Front of houseto specialist criteria
Stage and theatre equipmentÌý
Minimum fly tower height2.5 x proscenium height
Fly tower grid height18-23 m
Minimum fly tower widthproscenium width + 6-8 m
Stage power supply (incl spare capacity)400 + 200 A TP&N, 100-200 A SP&N
Total dimmer capacity350-690 kW
Number of dimmer circuits200-360
Number of stage light power sockets400-500
Number of fly lines50-75
Total fly tower live load1 kN/m2
Toilet provisionÌý
Male WCsone for up to 250, plus one for each additional 500 people
Female WCsthree for up to 100, plus one for each additional 40 people
Urinals two for up to 100, plus one for each additional 80 people
Equipment costs (£000s)
ÌýLarge-scale modern touring theatreMedium-scale modern repertory touring theatreModern studio theatreMedium-scale refurbished theatre
Stage engineeringÌýÌýÌýÌý
Flying300-350130-150-130-150
Safety curtains and fire doors270-32060-90-45-55
Lighting access180-210150-170--
Stage / pit lifts200-25070-100-100-140
Hoists150-17030-5020-30-
Curtains and masking230-26020-50Oct-20May-20
LightingÌýÌýÌýÌý
Controls60-7040-5015-2540-50
Dimming160-18040-6020-3025-40
Distribution90-11020-40Oct-2020-30
Luminaires160-20040-6020-3020-30
Sound and communications300-38090-12065-80140-180
TOTAL2100-2500750-940160-235525-685
Cost breakdown
ÌýElement cost (£)£/m2 gfa (£)% of total cost
Substructure256 50084.385.83
Excavating for pits and basements, up to 4 m deepÌý1200 m2 @£30.00
Extra for excavating within existing buildingsÌý300 m3 @£30.00
Extra for excavating stage lift caissonsÌý8 @£550
Underpinning insitu concrete foundationsÌý90 m @£350
Piling - 300 mm diameter driven piles, depth 12-15 mÌý130 @£650
Reinforced insitu concrete, grade C30/C40 Ìý--
Ground beams Ìý50 m @£170
SlabsÌý1250 m2 @£20.00
Suspended slabs Ìý180 m2 @£70.00
WallsÌý470 m2 @£65.00
Waterproofing and protectionÌýitem @£14 000
Frame238 10078.325.41
Structural steel framingÌý134 t @£1,100
Built-up trusses spanning auditoriumÌý16 t @£1,200
Fly tower access galleries and gridÌý17 t @£1,150
Allowance for additional framing and isolated steelworkÌýallow£4,000
Works to existing steel frame in auditoriumÌýallow£7,000
Intumescent paint Ìý2350 m2 @£11.50
Insitu concrete ring beamÌýallow£9,000
Insitu concrete beam casingsÌý60 m @£35.00
Precast concrete columnsÌý30 m @£95.00
Upper floors108 80035.792.47
Insitu concrete suspended slabs, 150-225 mm thickÌý530 m2 @£70.00
Composite suspended slab, insitu concrete and steel deckingÌý770 m2 @£34.00
Precast beam and block flooring to upper floor levelsÌý440 m2 @£35.00
Timber suspended upper floors with ply/hardwood deckingÌý750 m2 @£23.00
Acoustic pads to floating floors adjacent to auditoriumÌý300 m2 @£18.00
Galvanised steel access galleriesÌýitem @£7,500
Roof114 30037.62.6
Composite suspended roof slab; insitu concrete and metal deckingÌý200 m2 @£38.00
Sawn softwood structure to flat and pitched roofsÌý840 m2 @£18.50
Mastic asphalt; two coats; rigid sheet insulationÌý530 m2 @£20.00
Extra for paving slabs; support pads and filter membraneÌý250 m2 @£30.00
Handmade clay ped tiles, felt underlay and battensÌý45 m2 @£48.00
Natural Welsh slate, felt underlay and battensÌý340 m2 @£55.00
Sheet lead cladding; code 5; fixed to plywood sheetÌý150 m2 @£95.00
Proprietary double-glazed rooflights and skylightsÌý35 m2 @£540
Lead sheet and stainless steel flashings, soakers and guttersÌýallow£13 000
Sundry trims and skirtings, insulation and proofingÌýallow£6,000
Stairs54 90018.061.25
Insitu concrete staircasesÌý44 flights @£800
Cat ladders and escape stairsÌýallow£7,500
Isolated handrails, steelÌý60 m @£30.00
Isolated handrails, stainless steelÌý160 m @£65.00
External walls196 40064.64.46
Handmade facing bricks, £500/1000Ìý--
Half-brick-thick snapped headersÌý1400 m2 @£60.00
Common brickwork, half-brick-thickÌý490 m2 @£25.00
Common brickwork, one-brick thickÌý450 m2 @£48.00
Dense solid concrete blockwork, 100 mm thickÌý1200 m2 @£16.00
Dense solid concrete blockwork, 215 mm thickÌý650 m2 @£28.00
Dressed stonework sills and plinthsÌý110 m @£260
Precast concrete copingsÌý150 m @£40.00
Applied finishes; waterproofing and allowances for work to existingÌýallow£6,500
Windows and external doors45 00014.81.02
Softwood windows; factory double-glazedÌý50 m2 @£340
Repairs to existing windowsÌýallow£2,500
Replacement sealed double-glazing units to existing windowsÌý75 m2 @£40.00
External quality doors with hardwood framesÌý15 @£600
Specialist steel acoustic door to scene dockÌý1 @£6,000
Aluminium louvres Ìý25 m2 @£190
Precast concrete sills and lintelsÌý60 @£45
Internal partitions68 60022.571.56
Dense solid concrete blockworkÌý--
100 mm thickÌý3200 m2 @£14.00
215 mm thickÌý340 m2 @£26.00
Head restraint to partitionsÌýallow£4,000
Glazed screens and acoustic screens to public areas and control roomsÌýitem @£11 000
Internal doors183 70060.434.17
Veneer or laminate finish vision panels, soild core, hardwood frames, ironmongeryÌý--
Doorsets, no fire ratingÌý100 @£580
Doorsets, fire rated, FD30Ìý80 @£750
Doorsets, acousitc, RW38Ìý10 @£930
Doorsets, fire rated, acoustic; FD30; RW38Ìý22 @£1,200
Glazed screens with integral doors and doorsets; hardwood frames; Georgian wired glass; ironmongeryÌý45 m2 @£400
Steel acoustic doors to stage and scene dock; strong-room doorÌýallow£12 000
Wall finishes190 10062.534.32
Hardwood veneer-faced plywood panel wall linings; 6 mm thick; sawn softwood framed supportsÌý450 m2 @£60.00
Wood acoustic panels; 50 mm thick; sawn softwood framed supportÌý150 m2 @£105
Aluminium sheet cladding; 1.2 mm thick; to stage and backstage areasÌý175 m2 @£220
Work to retained timber panelling in auditoriumÌýallow£7,500
Two coats of plaster 13 mm thickÌý8400 m2 @£4.60
Ceramic tile (PC sum £20/m2) to kitchen areasÌý330 m2 @£40.00
Plastic sheeting, 3 mm thick, to showers and wet areasÌý345 m2 @£65.00
Painting and clear finishing generallyÌý7700 m2 @£1.70
Miscellaneous trims, cover stips, mouldings; hardwoodÌýallow£14 000
Floor finishes112 30036.942.55
Cement sand screeds, 50-75 mm thickÌý1650 m2 @£7.00
Plastics sheeting; non-slip vinyl safety flooringÌý600 m2 @£30.00
Carpets (PC sum £30/m2) underlayÌý1700 m2 @£35.00
Carpet finish to treads and risersÌý1000 m @£10.00
Softwood skirting Ìý1200 m @£6.00
MatwellsÌýallow£6.00
Ceiling finishes160 30052.733.64
Lightweight acoustic plaster, 22 mm thick; stainless steel lathing forming suspended ceiling Ìý1200 m2 @£33.00
Two coats of lightweight plaster, 13 mm thick; stainless steel lathing forming suspended cilingÌý550 m2 @£30.00
Suspended ceiling two-coat spray applied to acoustic plaster; Ardex, 12 mm thickÌý1000 m2 @£12.50
One layer plasterboard, 9.5 mm thick, skim coatÌý960 m2 @£6.00
Suspended ceiling; acoustic panels 1200 x 600 mmÌý110 m2 @£45.00
Perforated aluminium sheet cladding, 1.2 mm thick, to backstage areasÌý95 m2 @£220
Woodwool decking, including structural steel subframeÌý250 m2 @£65.00
Steel access galleries to services void; handrailsÌý110 m2 @£45.00
Allowance for access panels to suspended ceilingsÌýallow£5,000
Allowance for additional supports and framing to existing structureÌýallow£30 000
Painting plaster; matt emulsion paintÌý2250 m2 @£1.75
Fittings, fixtures and furniture247 50081.415.62
Theatre seats Ìý690 @£140
Bar and servery fittings and equipmentÌýitem @£70 000
Box office counters, shutters and fittingsÌýitem @£20 000
Stage door and backstage fittings generallyÌýitem @£26 000
Coat racks, lockers and mirrorsÌýitem @£6 000
Window blinds Ìý48 m2 @£50.00
Signage and noticeboardsÌýitem @£26 500
Sanitary appliances50 40016.581.14
Vanity units Ìýallow£8,000
Sanitary fittings, WCs, basins and showersÌý110 @£300
Cleaners' sinks Ìýitem @£1,500
Hand dryers Ìý35 @£225
Services equipment208 00068.424.73
Specialist catering installation completeÌýitem @£135 000
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø management systemÌý3040 m2 @£24.00
Disposal installations33 40010.990.76
Rainwater pipework, plastics and aluminium pipeworkÌý3040 m2 @£5.00
Foul water disposal; plastic pipeworkÌý3040 m2 @£6.00
Water installation57 80019.011.31
Cold water storage and distribution; stainless steel and copper pipework; insulation Ìý3040 m2 @£12.50
Hot water storage and distribution; central calorifier; stainless steel and copper pipework; insulationÌý3040 m2 @£6.50
Space heating and air treatment253 00083.225.75
Gas installationÌýitem£7,000
Low temperature hot water heating; pressed steel radiators; finned tube convectors; steel pipework; insulation; gas-fired boilersÌý3040 m2 @£20.00
Supply and extract system; air-handling plant; distribution ductwork; grilles and diffusersÌý3040 m2 @£40.00
Packaged low-velocity air-conditioning system serving auditorium onlyÌý370 m2 @£60.00
Dedicated toilet and kitchen extract systemsÌý3040 m2 @£11.00
Additional acoustic treatment and attenuationÌýitem @£8,000
Electrical installations255 00083.885.79
Low voltage switchgear and distribution; incoming main; supplies to mechanical plantÌý3040 m2 @£12.00
Lighting distribution wiringÌý3040 m2 @£17.00
Production lighting distributionÌýallow£15 000
Luminaires and emergency luminaires (stage lighting included in special installationsÌý3040 m2 @£18.00
Small power distributionÌý3040 m2 @£18.00
Multi-service cable tray and multi-compartment trunkingÌý3040 m2 @£10.00
Ups installationÌýitem @£12 000
Lift installation47 00015.461.07
Eight-person hydraulic lift with dual access, serving eight floorsÌýitem @£35 000
Two kitchen hoists in stainless steel serving two floors eachÌýitem @£12 000
Protective installations20 2006.650.46
Earthing and bondingÌý3040 m2 @£4.00
Lightning protection Ìý3040 m2 @£1.00
Hand-held fire extinguishersÌýitem @£5,000
Special installations625 500205.7614.21
Stage engineering Ìý--
Safety curtain, hoist and releaseÌýitem @£52 000
Single purchase flying system; 48 lines; counterweight frames; handlines and accessories; pick-up lines for lightingÌýitem @£134 000
Two orchestra elevators and controlsÌýitem @£125 000
Cinema-quality film screen, hoist and controlsÌýitem @£33 000
Stage lighting Ìý--
Control deskÌýallow£30 000
Dimmer racks and controlsÌýitem @£57 500
Production lighting distribution and outlet boxesÌýitem @£22 000
Luminaires and accessoriesÌýitem @£40 000
Sound and communicationÌý--
Sound mixing Ìýitem @£17 000
LoudspeakersÌýitem @£20 000
Amplification and signal processingÌýitem @£19 500
Playback equipment Ìýitem @£8 000
Microphones, patching, equipment racks, cables, accessories and adptorsÌýitem @£25 000
Ring intercom Ìýitem @£8 500
Video system Ìýitem @£5 000
CATV system Ìýitem @£1 500
Show relay Ìýitem @£3 500
Paging system Ìýitem @£13 000
Cue light systemÌýitem @£2 000
Stage manager's stationÌýitem @£5 000
Infra-red hearing assistanceÌýitem @£7 000
Accessories, connectors, sound and communication wiringÌýitem @£27 000
Builders' work in connection80 60026.511.83
Associated builders' work, service trenches, holes, sleeves, chases etcÌýallow5%
Subtotal3 668 2001 206.6483.33
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Preliminaries and contingencies733 6002241.3216.67
Contractor's management and staff, site accommodation and establishmentÌýallow12%
Design reserve and contingencyÌýallow8%
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Total for refurbishment (excluding site works and drainage) 4 401 8001 447.96 100
Regional Variations
All the costs are based on a scheme in East Anglia. Costs should be adjusted by the following location factors for schemes in other regions
Inner London1.2
Outer London1.14
South East1.06
South West1
East Midlands0.99
West Midlands1
Yorkshire and Humberside0.99
North West1
Northern1
Scotland1.06
Wales1
Northern Ireland0.86