Building the mobile theatre;
The smartest tent alive
Trying to invent new ideas and methods for these structures you will often look to the past, rediscovering the logic of what has for a long time, even centuries, been commonly used. When designing the structure one must consider:
- parts that are simple, easy to handle by one or two persons;
- parts that are easy to load, make a compact (rectangular) pile;
- fitting into a structure that provides stability at every stage of building and reloading;
- connections that do not need extra tools, bolts or screws and have just enough tolerance for a smooth fitting together and not too much so the structure remains stable.
Building the mobile theatre
Inside a theatre we reflect, parody and respond to daily life. We step into a different world which allows us to take distance. From the Bosco theatre and Danspaleis, I have learnt that a round space provides an extra strength (like the tipi and yurt) to counteract wind force. A round space also creates a special magic. It “cuts loose” from the surroundings while a rectangular structure fits in with surrounding buildings. Upon entering a round space you loose your sense of direction. In a rectangular theatre, space is split between the audience and the stage. In a circus setting the audience sits all around the “stage”. This gives emphasis to the act and makes the audience laugh, applaud (protest?) as a single entity.
The concept of the Bosco is between these two. The seating is in a half moon shape and it appears that performers are inspired by this arrangement. It heightens the contact between them and the audience. As it heightens contact between members of the audience themselves. The Corona will maintain this and have additional features:
- A wide entrance allows the audience to enter “the vestibule” a wide roofed platform in front of the main space;
- The “vestibule” is dominated by a vertical structure that contains a service counter and work platform where sound and lights can be controlled overlooking both the theatre and the entrance;
- The vestibule can accommodate various functions such as a bar, wardrobe, dressing room, technical, storage, etc thus eliminating the unsightly jungle of containers that normally surround the tents;
- On either side of the hall staircases lead towards the entrances of the theatre itself;
- The structure is a 16 metres in diameter round floor under a high roof that resembles the inside of a crown (Corona): a structure of bended steel tubes, creating an elegant pattern of triangles;
- We enter at the top of a half moon shape tribune that has 10 levels and provides for a larger audience : capacity of at least 325;
- The stage area is not rectangular but is an ellipse with a maximum width of 12 meters and a max depth of 7.20 meters.
- In case a larger stage is needed, it is possible to remove the first level of the seating and as a result the depth of the stage will be 9.10 meters. In that case the capacity of the seating will be less : around 300 spectators.
- The façade of the corona can be replaced by your own design that will advertise your festival or specific show that will be on stage.