Barbican Centre

Projects have included upgrade works to the grid and power flying in the theatre in 2014. The original grid was removed in its entirety from the top of the 33 metre fly tower and replaced with a new lamel rotating plank floor, so all of the steel cables are hidden to create a clean and workable grid. The grid is fully load-bearing allowing the moveable point hoists to be positioned freely. At the same time the fly floors and galleries were also remodelled to maximize the flying width available, and a downstage maintenance bridge was installed to facilitate regular maintenance of the safety curtain without the need for specialist access equipment.

Theatreplan returned to upgrade the overstage flying in the Concert Hall in 2015, and its understage machinery and dressing rooms in 2016/17. More recently we also replaced the hauling winch and added extensive load monitoring to the safety curtain in the theatre.

Theatreplan’s team has an unrivalled knowledge of the Barbican’s venues. Executive Director and Chartered Engineer, Dave Ludlam, spent 14 years at the Barbican Theatre, responsible for the design and management of all types of stage machinery and ensuring legal compliance. Consultant, Ashley Pickles, spent 15 years overseeing the flying of international touring productions and project management of large-scale capital works within the Grade II listed theatre. Roger Fox was the first ever Technical Manager of the centre, where he worked for 11 years and was responsible for all technical operations and developing the facilities in the 2,000-seat Barbican Hall and other auditoria.