Page 101 - OM Newsletter 2022-23

Keith Packham
The The Rogers Theatre: five years on
An interview with Keith Packham
Director of Drama
Originally designed as as as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a gymnasium and and boxing ring the the the Rogers Theatre was was converted into a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a theatre in in in in in in 1983 Fast forward 35 years and the the the the auditorium was was crying out for for modernisation Thanks to to the the the the generosity of our donors especially legacy donor donor Alan Lyall the the the theatre underwent a a a a a a a £3 million refurbishment in 2018 Five years on
Louise Ciaravella from the Malvernian Society caught up with Keith Packham
Director of Drama
to to to find out what difference the redevelopment has made to to to Malvern College Louise Ciaravella: What did the refurbishment involve?
Keith Packham: Working with innovative theatre acoustics and experience consultancy Charcoalblue we we were able to create a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a modern high-spec facility which harmonises beautifully with the building’s building’s original features And I think we did a a a a a a a a fine job of sensitively preserving the the the the building’s building’s history any OM entering the the the the theatre will recognise the the the space and have a a a a a a a sense of familiarity Our striking glass extension the Lyall Foyer has created a a a a a a a a a a a light-filled studio for for small-scale performances exhibitions and rehearsals Within the the the the the theatre theatre itself flexible modular seating has enabled the the the the the staging of of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a variety of of styles including theatre-in-the-round We enlarged the the the the the the Circle Circle – – the the the the the the Salnikow Circle Circle – – to provide further seating as as well as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a new state-of-the-art technical control area Lighting and and acoustics have been upgraded and and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a tension wire grid allows pupils to operate technical equipment and and stage rigging in in safety Rehearsing and performing in in in in such a a a a a a a a creative environment cannot fail to inspire future artistic talent Alan Lyall (SH 46-51)
Redevelopment underway in 2018 The addition of the Lyall Foyer 101