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The MCT at Alleyn's

3515

Winner of a 2010 RIBA award, the Edward Alleyn Building houses a 350 seat theatre named after Michael Croft, a former Head of English at the Alleyn's School and founder of the National Youth Theatre in 1956. The courtyard-style auditorium can be transformed from a proscenium end stage, to a thrust stage, or into theatre-in-the-round although it is usually set up as a medium-scale proscenium house. There are three levels of fixed seating and moveable seats in the stalls on a shallow rake. A motorised elevator can lower the forestage area to one level to accommodate extra seating or even further to create an orchestra pit. The theatre is designed to be flexible, with excellent acoustic qualities and sightlines to the stage. Acoustic drapes change the sound to fit the performance and there are state-of-the-art projection facilities. A tensioned-wire grid keeps technicians safe as they walk above the audience to adjust spotlights that project clearly through the grid. Hanging and flying scenery can be moved using traditional rope hemp sets from suspension points above the stage. There is a lift to the first and second levels and dedicated wheelchair space in the auditorium. The foyer, a top-lit three-storey atrium space with glazed facades, provides views over the school grounds. The building also houses the NYT Studio for dance and drama workshops.

Built / Converted
2009
Dates of use
  • 2009
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre (educational venue - school and community use)
Address
Alleyn's School, Townley Road, Dulwich, London, Southwark, SE22 8SU, England
Further details
Other names
Michael Croft Theatre
Events
  • 2009 Use:
  • 2009 Design/Construction: Edward Alleyn Building
    Theatreplan LLP
    - Technical
    Van Heyningen & Haward Architects
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    350
Listings
Stage type
-
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Width: 13.45m x Depth: 6.55m
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: -