Members of IHEEM’s London Branch were given recently a “double tour” of the Royal Albert Hall, London.
London Branch Members in the Royal Retiring Room.
The first tour was of the “front of house” and included a video about the diverse shows and performances at this unique venue. How the various conversions of stage area are achieved were explained. With the removal of some seats, the stage is raised and extended. Events that can be accommodated include tennis tournaments, skating shows, and opera and ballet performances.
Branch members visited the Royal Box and also the Royal Retiring Room – where members of the Royal Family relax prior to performances and during intervals.
The fascinating history of the Royal Albert Hall was described. The building’s great dome was cast in sections in Manchester, assembled for inspection and then dismantled and transported by horse-drawn vehicles to London where it was erected on site.
The members then had an exclusive behind-the-scenes exclusive “technical tour”. This included visiting below ground extensions to accommodate a vast parking area allowing trucks to unload equipment and scenery which can be raised to the stage area by lifting platforms. Modern heating and ventilation equipment has been installed at another level below ground. Seen were the control systems for lighting and sound, and then members went to the roof where they were able to climb into the dome above the ceiling. It was not foreseen originally that the dome would be required to support many tonnes of equipment including a large number of electric hoists for raising and lowering scenery, very large banks of spotlights and the acoustic domes familiar to audiences.
The group then retired to the Café Consort for lunch and all agreed it was a spectacular and informative visit. Thanks were extended to Martin Spence, head of operations of the Royal Albert Hall, and to Bob Ingram-Smith, London Branch vice-chairman.
