Caryl Churchill Theatre, Royal Holloway

Named after one of the UK's leading playwrights, Caryl Churchill, the University of London’s theatre at Egham replaced a 1970s prefab extension attached to Royal Holloway’s Sutherland House, a Grade II-listed Regency building.

Theatreplan worked with the architects to provide technical design services for the galleried studio theatre, two rehearsal studios, workshop and dressing rooms, now connected by a glazed foyer to the existing Sutherland House.

This a bright, airy theatre space, with double-height windows and a large roof light above the stage, filling the auditorium with natural light and complimenting the warm brickwork interior.

For performances, motorised blinds and timber shutters enable total blackout. The new auditorium has a capacity of 178 seats arranged around three sides and over two levels, with a third level dedicated to technical operations and control. The seating on the lower level takes the form of a retractable seating unit and a variety of seating layouts can be created, or cleared away completely when required.

The technical control room and lighting gallery are housed in the top gallery with two trussed grids on chain hoists for overhead suspensions and lighting. Theatreplan worked closely with the client to establish the best technical solutions for the venue and deliver teaching spaces which are functional and flexible.

Sean Brennan of Royal Holloway University commented:
"The college and department are extremely satisfied with the technical installation in the theatre which is neat, intuitive and functional. The Caryl Churchill Theatre has become the flagship venue within the department, offering a level of flexibility and user interface that makes the building a pleasure to work in for researchers, students, academics and technicians."