Village Squire, 1980-09, Page 13assimilating the community's complex
tastes and the theatre's multi-purpose
design.
Acoustically, it boasts perfection.
According to promotional director Frank
Torelli, the Centre in the Square is the
most acoustically perfect theatre in
North America.
Contributing to the theatre's multiple
use and acoustic perfection, are several
distinguishing design factors, explained
Mr. Torelli.
"The theatre has unique and differ-
ent design innovations - like three
storey towers that can be positioned for
acoustic background."
A total of 18 towers positioned on
hydraulic lifts, Mr. Torelli said, can be
moved to form a large shell behind the
orchestra pit which will inevitably
change or alter the orchestral sound in
the theatre.
Covering a portion of the orchestra pit
from above, a moveable canopy is
another method used to reflect sound,
making the theatre a totally integrated
concert hall.
Completing the remaining ceiling
portions is a special two inch plaster -
another acoustic measure used to reflect
sound.
NO AISLES
Curved walls, a network of banners
that can be raised or lowered to absorb
sound as needed, special continental
seating (no aisles) and a series of baffles
used to block a 90 foot fly space creating
resinous area, are all special features
designed to create acoustic perfection,
said Mr. Torelli.
Another rather unique attraction at
the centre, will be the theatre's
orchestra pit. Reported the largest
screw mount lift operation in Canada,
the orchestra pit has received uncon-
firmed plaudits as the largest in the
world, seating approximately 110
musicians comfortably. Other orchestra
pits hold an average of 70 to 80
musicians.
Modelled after the Bayreuth Opera
House in West Germany, the orchestra
pit can be lowered to accommodate
musicians or raised to increase seating
when no orchestra is required.
One of the few North American
theatres to have loges or boxed seats (a
European design), the theatre, includ-
ing the balcony and mezzanine, will seat
1,920.
Housing a European opera house
style "T" stage, the Centre in the
Square demonstrates versatility in its
ability to stage a Wagnerian Ring Cycle,
one of the few theatres in the world able
to accommodate such an opera.
Composed by Wagner over a number
of years, the ring cycle consists of three
separate operas with an underlying
theme. These operas run consecutively
on three alternate nights.
GALLERY AND ORCHESTRA
Housing the theatre, dressing rooms,
rehearsal rooms, office space and a
studio theatre, the Centre in the Square
will become the new home for the
Kitchener -Waterloo Art Gallery and for
the Kitchener -Waterloo Symphony
Orchestra.
"I don't think we are looking for an
image," said Mr. Torelli discussing
community impressions of the new
theatre.
"We just want to give the people
what they want."
Deciding upon what they want, he
added, is not that difficult.
"The first year we will have to go by
our gut reactions. But people in
Kitchener are not going to be that much
different than audiences anywhere
else."
"I'm hoping they will let us know
what they like to see, what they like,"
he said.
Because the Centre in the Square is a
commercial booking house, any pro-
moter can book the theatre if it is
available and if he can afford the fee.
However, said Mr. Torelli, Kitchener
is by no means off the beaten path.
"Any play or production that would
be travelling through Toronto, Hamilton
or London would certainly stop in
Kitchener to perform."
"That's the nice thing about Cana-
dian theatres" he added with a grin,
"they're still buddies."
Constructed primarily by Kitchener -
Waterloo construction firms and archi-
tects, the Centre in the Square will
employ approximately 13 fulltime staff
and about 60 or 70 on a part-time basis.
A red -brown brick structure accented
with a decorative wood design both
inside and outside the building, the
centre will have been built in less than
its estimated two year period, if all runs
smoothly for the September opening.
With a total completion cost of $10.9
million, the complex has only suffered
minor cost increases, bringing the total
up from the original $10.6 million.
Keeping costs that close to the
original estimate over a two year period
exemplifies the quality of architectural
design and craftmanship of the con-
struction firms involved, said Mr.
Torelli.
To date, Centre in the Square is
expecting a sell-out crowd for the
September 27 (invitation only) and 28
Gala Opening Concert.
However, for those who do not
attend, the excitement and pageantry
can still be captured by tuning into CBC
radio, which will record the concert for
broadcast.
dazzling stained glass, framed
photographs and intaglio prints,
weaving, soft toys, lathe -turned
wood and stoneware pottery
vs uiocu L6£'
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VILLAGE SQUIRE /SEPTEMBER 1980 PG. 11