The Lighting and Sound Department
Pitlochry is a small town 24 miles north of Perth in one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland. The resident population of 2,500 increases to over 10,000 in the summer; with visitors drawn by the town’s amenities and the breath-taking scenery in the surrounding area. The theatre is sited close to the town on the banks of the River Tummel,within its own grounds close to the dam at Loch Faskally.
The first theatre in the town opened in 1951 and the company moved to the current site in 1981. A new administration and workshop building was added in 1993. Following Lottery funding in 1999, work was completed on additional counterweight sets, lighting, sound and production equipment, a restaurant extension and upgraded services.
In 2000 the Company openedExplorers: The Scottish Plant Hunters’ Garden, immediately adjacent to the theatre. The Garden celebrates the work of Scottish botanists through history. Areas affording breathtaking views have been created reflecting the work of each botanist. The garden overlooks the river and also contains a number of performance spaces.
In 2009 the theatre purchased land and property up on the Port Na Craig estate adjoining the theatre. This now forms PFT2, housing our rehearsal rooms, stores and a secondary workshop space. In 2014 PFT announced its intention to complete a major refurbishment of the theatre building in Pitlochry. This work will extend production, retail and catering facilities at the theatre; improve the audience experience and introduce the potential for multiple venue production to the organisation. This refurbishment will also see the PFT2 complex extended to maximize our construction facilities and create a Centre for Creative and Cultural Skills learning and development.
The policy of the main theatre is to present a season of six plays in daily repertoire, from May to October, along with Sunday concerts and foyer events. In 2018 PFT is presenting “Chicago”, Book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb; “The Rise and Fall ofLittle Voice” by Jim Cartwright; “Quality Street” by J.M. Barrie; “Travesties” by Tom Stoppard; “Before the Party”By Rodney Ackland, based on a short story by W. Somerset Maughamand “The Last Witch” by Rona Munro. “The Last Witch” is a co-production with Firebrand Theatre Company who intend to take this production out on tour after the run in Pitlochry In addition to the above PFT normally produces a production in the autumn and then a large scale musical at Christmas.
The company also works in a number of areas to include additional presentations in areas around the gardens and theatre and has a hugely successful education programme. We have also established a thriving winter programme of events including “Winter Words”, a literary festival held in January.
Kris Bryce is Executive Director and Richard Baron is Seasonal Director. Other members of the Senior Management Team are Steve Carlin, (Head of Production & Resources), Jo Lochhead, (Executive Finance Manager) and Michael Hodgson, (Head of Development).
One of the hallmarks of Pitlochry Festival Theatre is its high standards of production. It is our aim to match and surpass past standards through the appointments we seek to make at this time.
The Production & Resources Group includes three teams: Workshop, Technical and Company Services. There is a core of twenty permanent jobs in the production departments who are joined by approximately thirty seasonal and fixed term Production staff.
The Lighting and Sound Department is part of the Technical Services Team and consists of four staff: Head of Lighting and Sound, Deputy Head of LX (Lighting) and Deputy Head of LX (Sound), (three permanent positions), and one seasonal Lighting and Sound Assistant. There is also two Swing Technicians who work in both the Stage and the LX Departments throughout the summer season. The seasonal Lighting and Sound Assistant joins the company in March and works through until the close of the summer season in October. Additional fixed term members of staff are engaged as per the needs of the autumn and Christmas productions.
Everyone in the Lighting and Sound Department is involved in setting up and running the shows including show operation (lighting and sound), programming, sourcing and the making of practical fixtures and fittings. The team also work on the creation of Audio Visual content, special effects and sound cues for our productions.There may be the opportunity for sound and/or AV design but only as and when required by the Artistic Director.
The department is responsible for first line electrical maintenance, including PAT testing, of the entire Theatre complex. Training, updating of records, maintenance and repairs continue throughout the year, with the dark period in the winter providing a good opportunity for an extensive planned maintenance programme.
The work on the summer season intensifies in early March when rehearsals begin. Each of the sets is brought onstage for technical work prior to its production week and opening. In April there are on-stage rehearsals, followed by focusing, lighting and plotting sessionsfor these initial shows. Throughout this period staff are working on all four of the opening shows simultaneously.
During the season there is major involvement in the repertoire programme, with daily setting up and re-focusing. The main over-stage rig is normally static with re-plugging. The re-focusing includes the onstage No.1 bridge, the two FOHbridges and any ladders and stage stands. On-stage sound equipment, effects and practicals etc are also set up within the duration of the turnaround. On matinee days, when there is a turnaround between shows, this work is expected to be completed within two hours, measured from curtain down of the outgoing show to curtain/lights up on the incoming one. When the following show is a single performance the next day the turnaround takes place that morning. Lighting and Sound work in the turnaround cannot normally commence until the set has been installed, usually after lunch. A final check is made by all departments just before the half is called.
During production weeks the members of the Lighting and Sound team not involved in the operation of the show onstage act as back-up for the performance team. In performance all members of the Lighting and Sound team are expected to cover other shows to accommodate unforeseen circumstances or an emergency.
There are other events and performances taking place in the theatre and elsewhere throughout the season and the Lighting and Sound team are expected to work on these as and when required.
All in all, PFT has a heavy and physical workload and requires a mature level of commitment. Precision and diligence are essential if the turnarounds are to faithfully reproduce the artistic vision for each show. The nature of the work we do is more demanding than might be experienced in other theatres throughout the UK but there are many personal rewards and achievements to be gained for those who enjoy contributing fully and being part of a team of like-minded professionals.