Members A – Z

Whitehall Theatre, London (1986) Restoration of Art Deco theatre; awarded Grade 2 listed status on completion; 650 seat capacity

Former Royalty, renamed Peacock Theatre, London (1996) Business planning for LSE and restoration as dual Lecture Hall (LSE)/1,000 seat Dance Theatre (programmed by Sadlers Wells)

Rebuilding of Sadler’s Wells Theatre (1,600 seats) & Lilian Baylis Studio Theatre (300 seats) (1995-98) £32 million Dance Theatre complex: Architect’s brief and theatre design consultant for the entire rebuilding project in association with Carr & Angier as theatre equipment consultants

Comedy Theatre, London (completion: 2010) Design and Historic Buildings Statement and full recording report and survey for English Heritage assessment.

Cross District Community Cultural Centre, Hong Kong (2010; ongoing) Detailed design of versatile courtyard theatre within multi-space venue.

Barbican Theatre BITE Seasons, London (2000 - 2007) Design and specification of performance arena and seating layouts for a wide variety of internationally sourced productions requiring bespoke solutions in the Barbican Centre, and other found spaces.

Arts Depot, North Finchley, London Design of the flexible 400-seat Main Theatre and the 150-seat Studio Theatre, as part of the Brief to Developers and the subsequent construction.

The Spa Bridlington Design and specification for refurbishment & upgrading of theatre infrastructure 1930s Royal Hall and the Edwardian Spa Theatre

The Playhouse, Harlow Feasibility study in respect of redevelopment or replacement.

Musis Sactrum Arnhem (2017) Design and specification of stage machinery, project management and supervision

Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam renovation of stage machinery and new auditorium. (2011) Specification of stage machinery, tendering, project supervision

Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Berlin, (2009) Specification of stage machinery, tendering and project supervision

New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth 2015 (with Penoyre & Prasad Architects) TC project manager for new build flytower, studio and BOH onto existing listed Phipps / Matcham auditorium / theatre increasing seat count to 700

IET Savoy Place, London 2015 (with Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects) Designer and project manager for award-winning refurbishment of IET flagship HQ: 460 and 190 seat lecture theatres with performance: including lighting designer to front of house event spaces

Annette Strauss Artist Square, Dallas 2010 (with Foster + Partners) Seating and sightlines for diverse outdoor performances - theatre, dance, festivals, accommodating audiences up to 5000

MA (Merit) Theatre Consultancy (Warwick University) BSc Psychology (Open University - ongoing) IOSH Managing Safely; Prince II Foundation

Hazel Clover is an arts management consultant with 30 years of experience working in theatres and arts venues. In her earlier career, Hazel worked for Norwich Arts Centre, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norwich Theatre Royal and Ipswich Corn Exchange in marketing, programming and operational roles before taking a senior role managing theatre and arts services for Ipswich Borough Council. Her expertise is on strategy planning, feasibility, business planning and options appraisals, with a particular focus on governance and operational management, programme planning and organisational development modelling. Hazel's management experience includes refurbishment and capital projects, orchestra residencies and festivals. Hazel served as Interim Manager for De Montfort Hall in Leicester and Castle Theatre Wellingborough. Hazel was a founding Director of Clover Theatre Management 2009 - 2019. Hazel’s venue management experience gives her a core understanding on what operators, audiences and performers require from a venue and how the design and functionality can aid business sustainability, operational efficiency, increase usage and programming, and further aid artistic and audience development. Hazel has worked as a consultant with Theatre Projects since 2014 during which time she has worked on projects across the UK and internationally. Hazel is a Director and Trustee of the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.

Gateacre School, Liverpool Planning advice, and design/specification of technical systems in BSF school specialising in performing arts with 300 seat theatre.

The Pierhead Building, Cardiff Design/specification of seating and technical systems including a-v, in existing listed exhibition/meeting hall.

Howden Park Centre, Livingston Planning advice, and design/specification of technical systems in existing arts centre with new 400 seat theatre.

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury UK (2011) Keith Williams Architects Building-wide functional planning, auditorium planning and sightline modelling, bespoke seating design, stage engineering, lighting and audio-visual systems design, tendering, procurement and site co-ordination for 1,200 proscenium house and 150 seat flexible studio.

The Cube, Corby (2011) Hawkins Brown Architects Auditorium planning and sightline modelling, specialist fixed and curved retractable seating system, technical systems development and site co-ordination for 450 seat flexible proscenium house and 60 seat flexible studio.

Nottingham Contemporary (2010) Caruso St John Architects Technical systems design and site co-ordination for a flexible, ‘found’ performance space.

MEng Systems Engineering, University of Warwick

MSc Audio Acoustics, University of Salford

I am a venue designer with 10 years' experience specialising in acoustics, venue planning and theatre lighting technologies, currently working on projects around the world with Arup.

I also provide freelance lighting design and production manager services for theatre productions, most recently working with Blind Summit, Curious Directive and Dumbshow Theatre. A portfolio of my work is available at: www.edelbourne.co.uk

I write a blog about my interests including live performance and the impact of the spaces in which they happen.

Acoustic design of the Royal Academy of Music, London (2018). Winner of the Peter Lord Award 2019

Lead venue and acoustic designer of the Bijloke concert hall refurbishment, Ghent (2020).

Caudan Arts Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius (2018). This 430-seat venue serves as a link between emerging and established Mauritian artists and the finest international productions.

Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts, University of Sussex (2015) Refurbishment of the Grade II* listed building as an interdisciplinary arts hub. Theatre planning and internal project management from Stage D through to completion

The Light, Friends House, Euston (2014) Refurbishment of the Grade II Large Meeting House, a flexible 1,000 seat space. Auditorium design, planning and internal project management from competition through to completion

Ruddock PAC, King Edward's School, Birmingham (2012) 400 seat concert hall and 120 seat studio theatre. Tender through to completion

National Theatre, London, UK (2014) NT Future Project. Seating design for the new Dorfman Theatre, including the new ‘Seat Boxes’

Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, UK (2014) New Build, with state-of-the-art flying systems - rolling, de-mountable lighting bridges and adjustable / demountable proscenium arch

Tobacco Factory Theatre, UK (2013) A new auditorium with eight designed formats, a 20% increase in capacity and greatly improved sight-lines and comfort.

Theatre practitioner

Roger is a theatre consultant with a wealth of experience and expertise in theatre planning and stage engineering.

Roger has over 50 years in theatre including 12 years as Technical Manager of The Barbican Centre and he is Chairman of ABTT Historical Research Committee.

Roger began his career in entertainment, working as a floor assistant at the BBC.  Roger later went into theatre and in 1981 was approached to work at the brand-new Barbican Centre, where he became Technical Manager for its first 11 years. Roger was responsible for all technical operations and developing the facilities in the 2,000-seat Barbican Hall and other auditoria.

For Theatreplan, he has brought this knowledge to a wide range of important heritage theatre projects, including at the Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool and the Victoria Hall and the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, which was one of Roger’s first, and biggest projects, involving the re-purposing of a former cinema into a major touring venue. 

Grand Hall, Battersea Arts Centre, London, (2018)
With Haworth Tompkins, Roger ensured technical installations were cleverly concealed within the beautiful ceiling. An innovative suspension system placed acoustic banners, hoists and tracks in the roof, preserving the ceiling’s visual impact and allowing the widest range of activities.

Norwich University of the Arts (Ongoing)
The Duke Street Riverside redevelopment for Norwich University of the Arts includes a 300 seat lecture theatre. The design allows for future teaching of drama and technical theatre skills.

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane London (2008)
Project management of the recording, partial removal and later reinstatement of Grade 1 listed water hydraulic stage machinery.

Cottesloe, National Theatre with Haworth Tompkins Refurbishment of NT’s most successful space, improving audience comfort, sightlines, flexibility & increasing capacity by 100 seats.

New Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (2011) with Keith Williams Architects Design of new 1,200-seats #1 touring house and 200-seat studio and building wide planning on historic urban site.

RSC Redevelopment, Stratford-upon-Avon (2010) with Bennetts Associates Design of 1,000 seat thrust stage theatre with scenic stage and building wide planning integrated into a historic building.

MA, BA(Hons), Dip(Arch), ARB

Set and costume designer; exhibition and event designer; co-author of three books on British scenography.

Since joining Charcoalblue Peter has bought his expertise to a number of projects both in the UK and internationally. In London he has worked with the National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells, The Old Vic and Alexandra Palace Theatre, among others. Peter was also instrumental in projects including Bristol Beacon, Swindon Cultural Quarter, Royal Shakespeare Company, Edinburgh Playhouse, Stockholm Royal Swedish Opera and the American Repertory Theater.

Belfast Grand Opera House (2021) re-seating and re-tiering of Matcham’s 1895 auditorium and improvements to building-wide circulation and accessibility.

Truro Hall for Cornwall (2021) design of new auditorium within existing (1999) auditorium to increase capacity by 280 to over 1350.

Leeds Playhouse (2019) upgrade and reshaping of Quarry and Courtyard Theatres to increase capacity and improve accessibility; new Bramall Rock Void Studio Theatre

New York Hudson Theatre (2017) bringing the 1902 auditorium back to theatre use, increasing seating capacity to 970 from 699 and incorporating accessibility measures.

Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, London (2013-14) Development of seating prototypes to fit into the new flexible tiering system within the original shell of the former Cottesloe Theatre.

BSc MSc CEng FREng FIOA

Following a BSc in Physics from Warwick University, Rob was a theatre sound engineer, mixing musicals such as Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.

With a MSc from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at Southampton University he then worked in acoustic consulting. Rob returned to performing arts design at Arup, leaving after 33 years as an Arup Fellow and a Director of acoustics, theatre design and the Arts & Culture business.

He formed Rob Harris Design Limited, providing auditorium acoustic and theatre design services.

Rob is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Acoustics and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

From 2016 - 2019 Rob was a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at the University of Southampton. He continues as a Visiting Professor and is a Visiting Lecturer at University College London.

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon (with Bennetts Architects) Open in 2010, this new 1,000 seat thrust-stage theatre will build on the RSC Courtyard Theatre’s success and provide a unique home for Shakespeare.

Young Vic Theatre, London (with Haworth Tompkins Architects) Acclaimed as the best value theatre project in the lottery era, this three theatre complex opened in 2005 and was a Stirling Prize short-listed nominee.

National Theatre, London (with Haworth Tompkins Architects) Having opened the National Theatre’s Studio complex in 2007, Charcoalblue have been appointed to the National Theatre’s Redevelopment Project.

PHD, MA, BA(Hons)

Trained as a stage manager he produced in London and the regions before joining Theatre Projects Consultants in 1970.  He formed his own consultancy practice in 1976. Consultant to UNESCO 1970–2005.

Founder and first chairman of the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith 1978–84.   Theatre Consultant to Shakespeare’s Globe 1971-1998 and chief executive following Sam Wanamaker’s death in 1993 until 1998.  Consultant to the Barbican Arts Centre for management 1979–1984 and theatre consultant for the Concert Hall, conference rooms and cinemas.  He has designed more than 60 auditoria.

Michael is currently chair of Institute of Theatre Consultants.

Projects in own practice include:

• Grand Opera House, York: Recovery of historic theatre.
  Millennium Forum Theatre, Derry: Adaptable new major touring drama and opera venue. 
• Birmingham Town Hall: Refurbishment of Grade I concert hall.
• Malt Cross, Nottingham: Recovery of a Grade II listed music hall built in 1871.
• Hampton Hill Playhouse: New 200 seat ‘courtyard’ style theatre for a major amateur theatre company.
• Rose Theatre, Kingston: Stage 1 design and construction of the shell of the theatre to receive non-proscenium regional productions in their original staging form, first business plan for the theatre.

Hampton School Theatre
450-seat theatre with facility for flat floor stage through auditorium using curved retractable seating (with Adrian James Acoustics).

The Friary Centre, Liverpool
Rehearsal studio for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in adapted Grade II building designed by Pugin and Pugin (with Adrian James Acoustics).

Pipers Corner School
398-seat theatre adaptable to scenic or thrust forms, or stage & auditorium flat at the same level (with Adrian James Acoustics).

Helsinki City Theatre (2014 - present) Stage machinery replacement in the Large and Small Theatres including large revolve with embedded stage elevators.

Barbican Centre (2010 - present) Replacement of the Theatre grid and power flying system and upgrades of the Concert Hall rigging, piano lift and stage risers.

Sydney Opera House (2004 - present) Numerous projects for this iconic venue including stage machinery replacement in the Joan Sutherland Theatre (on-site May 2017), Drama Theatre feasibility study, site-wide stage management system, IPTV system and safety audits.

Helsingin Kaupungin Teatteri (2014 and continuing) Complete refurbishment of two theatres, including all stage equipment - specifier / designer.

Sydney Opera House Joan Sutherland Theatre (2011 and continuing) Replacing grid, power flying system and stage lifts - specifier / designer.

Opera and Ballet Theatre, Astana, Kazakhstan (2009) Over and understage equipment - specifier / designer for new Opera House.

BSc(Hons) Software Systems for the Arts and Media
PGDip IoA Acoustics and Noise Control
PGDip IoTC Theatre Consultancy

Ian qualified in Software Systems for the Arts and Media at the University of Hertfordshire in 1999 and found his way, after a stint as a Model Designer at Legoland Windsor, to the Orpheus Centre in Godstone, Surrey. He worked there for four years as a Music Technologist, running the theatre and recording studios and providing technical support for performances at a variety of venues including the Royal Opera House, Hampton Court, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Glastonbury festival. In 2004 Ian studied for the Institute of Acoustics Diploma at NESCOT and won the IOA Diploma Prize.

He joined Adrian James Acoustics in March 2005, where he specialises in computer modelling, sound system design, auralisation and visualisation of performance spaces.  Alongside acoustic design, Ian also works on other aspects of performance space design including seating and sightlines, stage lighting and AV systems. Ian was the first to be awarded the IoTC Diploma in Theatre Consultancy at the University of Warwick in 2012.

Pipers Corner School Theatre, High Wycombe (2016)
Acoustic design, sound system design, co-design of theatre systems for 300-seat theatre.

King's College School, Wimbledon (2017)
Design and specification of performance lighting, sound and AV systems for 250-seat recital hall.

Great Hall, Kent College Canterbury (2019)
Auditorium design, acoustic design, design and specification of performance lighting, sound, AV and stage machinery systems for 600-seat convertible auditorium for music and drama.

Milton Court GSMD, London (completion: 2013) Theatre equipment for school studio theatre, theatre, concert hall, TV studio and rehearsal rooms

Big Telly, Otherworld (completion: 2012) Feasibility study for proposed 150 seat floating, touring water theatre

Manor CE Academy, York (completion: 2012) Theatre equipment and planning advice for 200 seat school venue

BA(Hons) Theatre Studies - Stage Management and Technical Arts

Mathew is a highly experienced project leader, and specialist consultant in charge of the design and implementation of sound, audio-visual, and video and communications systems. He is currently heading up the delivery of several Theatreplan projects in the UK and Ireland.

After graduating from Central School of Speech and Drama in 1998, Mathew became a sound engineer at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, before moving onto the National Theatre where he was Senior Sound Technician and worked as a Sound and Associate Sound Designer on a wide range of productions. He joined Theatreplan in 2007 as the company’s specialist sound and communications consultant, bringing his extensive practical experience in both sound and stage management systems. Mathew became a Partner at Theatreplan in 2012 and Executive Director in 2017.

Dublin Institute of Technology, Ongoing. Our design scope covers venue and auditorium planning along with technical systems design. This includes seating and sightlines, stage engineering, lighting, sound and AV. The rooms provide a safe and accessible working environment, designed to be as approachable as possible for young artists.

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh. The transformational project will revitalise the King’s Theatre, making it a vibrant, accessible cultural destination for generations to come. Theatreplan’s experience working on historic theatres will be invaluable in planning the repair and enhancement of one of Scotland’s oldest working theatres.

Adelphi Theatre, Salford, 2016. The multi-functional venue, incorporates an adaptable rostra system that allows the venue to be converted into different formats including thrust, in the round, long and short traverse stage. The balcony seats can be rotated so that they are in the perfect orientation for each format.

The Xiqu Centre for Chinese Opera Hong Kong, (completion: 2018) TC team leader

The Royal Academy of Music London, (completion: 2017) TC team leader

The Rose Theatre Kingston (completion: 2017) TC team leader and auditorium design

National Theatre, London NT Future project - refurbishment of Cottesloe, relocation of workshops

Chichester Festival Theatre, UK Refurbishment of 1962 theatre

Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin (2009) Design of production lighting systems for new 2111 seat theatre

National Theatre of Cyprus (2011) Supervision of installation of all electrical and theatre systems and equipment, including motorised rigging, orchestra elevators, lighting, audio, etc. on 2 auditoria.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2010) Specialist design of 2 complex lecture auditoria (one can be divided into 2); integrated audio visual systems, audio and lighting, and IP distance learning capabilities.

Jeddah TV Complex, Saudi Arabia (2007) Design development for 3-studio complex; design and specification of all digital systems, broadcast, OB vans, studio rigging & lighting.

Theatre Practitioner.

After studying engineering at Glasgow University, John started work as Assistant Stage Manager, later to become Technical Manager, at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where he worked for eight years. He went on to collaborate on many projects with Theatreplan’s founder, Richard Brett, for many years, and became a Partner in the early days of the consultancy.

John is a pragmatic and practical consultant whose advice draws from his considerable onsite and design experience, developing stage and working light systems and co-ordinating wiring for audio-visual services. John worked on Theatreplan’s flagship venue, Copenhagen Opera House and he considers London’s St James Theatre (now known as The Other Palace) and the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, as highlights of his consultancy career. Other projects include the Derngate in Northampton; the Dome, Brighton; School of the Arts and Genexis Theatre, Singapore and a wide range of flexible theatre spaces including Channing School Performing Arts Centre; Quarry Theatre at Bedford School and the Michael Croft Theatre at Alleyns School in Dulwich.

Grand Hall, Battersea Arts Centre, London, (2018)
With Haworth Tompkins, John ensured technical installations were cleverly concealed within the beautiful ceiling. An innovative suspension system placed acoustic banners, hoists and tracks in the roof, preserving the ceiling’s visual impact and allowing the widest range of activities.

St James Theatre, London (The Other Palace), 2012. 
The lack of over-stage space required innovative solutions for rigging over the flexible stage area. 

Channing School, London, 2017. With cost-effectiveness in mind, Theatreplan designed a simple galleried auditorium, with retractable seating providing for maximum flexibility and adaptability. The technical infrastructure is of sufficient specification to allow the theatre to host semi-professional productions, whilst also being easily operated by staff and students.

Pontio, Bangor, Wales (ongoing) Project director for acoustics, theatre design and technical systems for multiformat theatres, now client adviser for theatre systems procurement.

Arcola Theatre, London, UK (2012) Technical advisor for repurposing paint factory into new theatre, and site selection, and project director for feasibility, concept design for new-build theatre.

Copenhagen Arena, Denmark (2011) Business planning, feasibility, brief preparation and concept design for 15,000 seat entertainment arena.

Rovaniemi City Theatre (2015) Project management and design for lighting, sound, AV and stage mechanical systems in all stages; functional and accessibility studies in public and technical areas.

Svenska Teater i Helsingfors (2013) Project management and design for lighting, sound, AV, acoustics and stage mechanical systems in all stages; functional and accessibility studies in public and technical areas; sightline studies and auditory design.

Stavanger Konserthus (2012) Technical and engineering design for sound and AV systems in concert hall and multipurpose venue.

GRNCM

Before joining Theatreplan as a Consultant, Matt spent 12 years as the first Technical Manager of the new Grove Theatre, Dunstable. The Grove was designed by Theatreplan and during the construction and commissioning phases, Matt took an active role in the building project and formed a close working relationship with the company. Whilst at the Grove Matt oversaw the technical management of the incoming programme of touring shows which ranged from West End productions such as ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, to touring plays, comedians and bands and an annual pantomime, co-produced with various pantomime production companies.

Matt is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and has been immersed in technical theatre since university. After post-graduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music, he worked with the touring company ‘Holiday on Ice’ where he gained a huge amount of technical experience in arenas across the globe. Matt became Chief Electrician for its Blue Division during his eight years there.  On returning to the UK, he became Theatre Technician at Grimsby Auditorium and eventually Technical Manager, where he experienced modifying the venue to make it suitable to receive West End shows.

Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, (Ongoing). Theatreplan is working alongside architects, Bennetts Associates, on this major refurbishment. Matt has managed documentation of the technical system designs, and led workshops with the architect, main contractor, structural engineer, and specialist stage engineering contractor in the detailed coordination of the counterweight installation.

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, (Ongoing). The transformational project will preserve and revitalise the King’s Theatre, making it a vibrant and accessible cultural destination. Matt is managing the design and documentation of the technical systems. His experience has proved valuable when conducting workshops with theatre staff and stakeholders.

BA Hotel and Catering, Oxford Brookes University
Leaders of Great Britain, Member
UK Theatre, Member

Julian started his career in the hospitality and catering sector working in senior operations and director roles in various genres including stadia, high-end restaurants, green field events culminating in establishing, managed & growing a brand-new restaurant business in London.

In 2012, Julian joined HQ Theatres (HQT), the UK’s second largest commercial operator of theatres and concerts halls, and in 2016, Julian was appointed as CEO.

During this time, Julian had full operational and P&L responsibility of this privately owned business across 18 sites, 13 theatre contracts, including the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, G Live, Guildford, Orchard Theatre, Dartford and Churchill Theatre, Bromley. HQT also owned and operated 3 gastro pubs/hotels, representing a combined theatre and hospitality turnover of £40+M, until it was acquired by Trafalgar Entertainment in March 2021.

Subsequently Julian set up BHV and now supports multiple local authorities, commercial operators, theatre trusts and property developers deliver their cultural and hospitality strategies.

The BHV team excels in conducting comprehensive options appraisals, hospitality strategies, facilitating new build developments, and assessing the economic and social value impact of cultural initiatives.

Swindon Cultural Quarter (2023 – on-going)
A  two-stage  project, comprising a market and financial analysis to establish an optimum capability and technical capability for a new theatre in the Cultural Quarter Development in Swindon Town Centre.

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea (2018 – on-going)
Conceived the design scheme and business justification in conjunction with the Council and the operator HQ Theatres (now Trafalgar Theatres)
Lead the procurement programme and the appointment of the entire project team.

White Rock Theatre, Hastings  (2023-24)
BHV were commissioned to support the council secure a new leaseholder for the theatre via a long-term zero subsidy partnership agreement.

Rambert Dance Company, London, Dance Studios (2010-current) Representing the client in all matters of Rambert’s new headquarters to be located within the cultural quarter on the South Bank

University Theatre Project, Australia (2010) Expert witness report on viability of 1958 hall facing listing on the South Australian Heritage Register as a "State Heritage Place"

The Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich, Studio Theatre, Dance Studios (2009) State of the art DanceHouse to accommodate massive participation and the presentation of self-produced and touring dance performance