Keble College, Oxford

Theatreplan designed the O'Reilly Theatre, a new studio theatre which was incorporated into the Sloane Robinson building at Keble College Oxford. Suitable for lectures, concerts, dance and a variety of theatrical performances.

Theatreplan collaborated with Rick Mather Architects (Now MICA Architects) to design this £1.2m flexible, multi-use performance space to meet the students needs for a drama studio space.

The design featured retractable seating, which allowed the capacity to vary between 130 and 200. The seating also folded away completely to leave a clear stage for flat-floor events. The balcony space was designed to be able to host musicians or a standing audience with adaptable safety rails.

A fixed grid structure was installed with a set of non-counterweighted fly bars suspended just under the grid above the stage. The studio can accomodate a variety of options for lighting, sound equipment and video projection. The extensive video and projection system was designed for use in conferences to deliver high quality results. For ease of access, a large goods lift for use from street to stage level has been incorporated into the venue.

Images by Rick Mather Architects