Project Completion: The Rose Of Kingston Theatre
21st Jul 2008
Gentle Consulting has been proud to be associated for a number of years with the Royal Borough of Kingston Theatre Trust and their flagship ‘Rose of Kingston’ theatre scheme. This culminated in the successful delivery of this £11m project earlier in the year. Gentle Consulting has had a long liaison on this project, with earlier phases being completed as and when public funding was made available. Full funding for the scheme was finally granted in 2006 following promotion by high profile Creative Director Sir Peter Hall.
Gentle Consulting acted as Project Managers and Construction Managers to successfully deliver this complicated fit-out project on a fast track basis. Construction of the 900 seat main auditorium space required the integration and coordination of a multiple specialist consultants and contractors from the world of entertainment and theatre, together with the more traditional construction disciplines.
The project was completed in phases to facilitate the early commissioning and dress rehearsals for the launch performance of Sir Peter Hall's directed Uncle Vanya which showcased this 21th century venue to the theatre world.
The project generated a number of technical and logistical challenges, not least the high level of service provision and integration requiring the close coordination of multiple sound, AV and lighting systems within a heavily constrained structure. This was In addition to the significant logistical issues associated with the limited site foot print, city centre location and working alongside an occupied luxury multi-storey apartment block. The Gentle Consulting Construction Management team responded to these challenges, successfully delivering the project in time for the opening night production.
Gentle Consulting now wish the continued success of the Rose of Kingston and trust that this being the most prominent and largest commercial theatre to have been developed in recent years, to be the launch pad of a growing interest in the public supporting such rewarding cultural buildings.
