Paul Davenport Theatre
Paul Davenport Theatre (formerly Talbot Theatre) hosts over 200 performances per year, attended by more than 32,000 people. From Wind Ensemble concerts, to the summer home of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, to performances given by dance troops galore, Talbot Theatre is a cornerstone to the faculty, city, and country.
Completed in August 2009, Paul Davenport Theatre received a $5.0 million facelift. $2.5 was committed by the university with the remaining $2.5 million coming through fundraising.
Renovations included:
- Increasing the height of the hall by removing the current ceiling and second-floor classrooms above. A 2” plaster ceiling will also assist in improving the reverberant space and acoustics.
- The stage area will see the proscenium arch removed and a new orchestra shell installed, complemented by adjustable acoustic banners.
- The fan shape of the house will be no more, as will the sound traps caused by the current shape.
- New stage and fire curtains and improved lighting.
- Mechanical system improvements will remedy noise problems caused by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units.
- New seats, lobby finishes, theatre signage, and an expanded box office.
Listen and see the opening sounds of the newly renovated Paul Davenport Theatre (formerly Talbot Theatre).
Renovation in Pictures
Taken from the sound booth on the second floor.
September 3, 2008: Preparing for asbestos removal; Note how close the scaffolding is to the ceiling!
September 10, 2008: Removal of 3rd-floor flooring is complete; Note how much higher the ceiling is than in the last photo.
December 5, 2008: Removal of the proscenium arch and the scaffolding has been taken down.
March 9, 2009: Time for brick laying, putting up dry wall, welding the new cat walks, pouring concrete for additional balcony space along the sides of the theatre.
April 28, 2009: Interior brick work has finished [pictured at left]. Working on completing installation of wood sound panels, painting of fixtures, installation of handrails, completion of lobby finishes [second floor lobby pictured at right]. Estimated completion date of project is around May 31, 2009.
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June 16, 2009: The Grand Opening occurred. Visit the Flickr Gallery for a collection of photos or YouTube for a compliation of images and music.
Support
For more information on supporting this project, please visit Western's Transforming Talbot Theatre page.
Also from this web page:
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