Technical Specification
theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall - Theatre 3

Key information

Venue Number

Venue 53

Address

The Royal College of Surgeons (Quincentenary Hall)
Nicolson Street
EDINBURGH
EH8 9DW

Address - for flyer & poster delivery

No earlier than 0900 on Monday July 31st 2023 to:

theSpaceUK
Venue 43 Symposium Hall
King Khalid Building
The Royal College of Surgeons
Hill Square
EDINBURGH
EH8 9DR

Box Office

Tickets will primarily be sold through the Fringe Box Office: https://tickets.edfringe.com/ or by telephone (June - August): +44 (0)131 226 0000

On-site Contacts

During the Fringe the venue can be reached in the following ways:

  • Queries about shows and the venue in general can be directed to our Shed Team on boxoffice@thespaceuk.com or +44 (0)131 510 2384
  • The Venue Production Team can be contacted directly on production.south@thespaceuk.com or +44 (0)131 510 2391

Directions

If arriving by train, leave Edinburgh Waverley Station by the main exit on to Waverley Bridge and turn left. At the mini roundabout cross over onto Cockburn Street. At the top of Cockburn Street turn left on to the Royal Mile. At the mini roundabout cross over onto Cockburn Street. At the top of Cockburn Street turn left onto the Royal Mile and immediately right on to North Bridge.

Continue along North Bridge until it becomes Nicholson Street, The Royal College of Surgeons is on your left opposite the Festival Theatre.

Loading Access

It is recommended to try to park on Drummond Street, and carry items round the corner to the front entrance. Please ask your pre-production manager for advice regarding load-in of bulky items.

Venue Design

Performance Area

The stage is constructed of 20cm raised staging units measuring 5 x 2m but is made trapezium-shaped by angled drapes due to the location of pillars in the room, resulting in the rear being 3m wide. To preserve the paint finish please ensure your costume does not use shoes with stiletto heels. Small spike marks are permitted - we advise initialling them or using coloured tape to distinguish them, and cut rather than tearing for longevity.

Stage Entrances

Two entrances are provided, in each of the upstage corners. Crossover is possible between the two entrances and there is a small backstage space. Onstage height clearance is approximately 2.5m.

Auditorium

The venue is fully carpeted and fully enclosed with black drapes. Seating is in two blocks with a central aisle; the auditorium seats 42 audience and one FOH manager. The venue is one of three accessed from a central foyer area where the box office is situated.

Dressing Facilities

There is no dedicated dressing room at the venue; access to the performance space is permitted only during your slot so we advise arriving ready to start. There are toilets accessed from the foyer.

Storage

There is very limited storage space available, both behind the theatre drapes and in a central storeroom shared with Theatres 1 and 2. Let us know in advance about your set design plans.

Please make your Pre-Production Manager aware of any fragile items you wish to use, and ensure they are carefully wrapped and packed in storage to avoid breakage by others in the confined storage area.

Costumes should be taken away with you or stored in large cases/crates for protection. Anything required for show promotion or performances elsewhere must be taken away daily as no access is possible outside your slot. Refer to the FAQ for details of permitted and restricted set design materials.

Refer to the FAQ for details of permitted and restricted set design materials.

Control Position

The lighting and sound control position is in the auditorium in the far corner. There is no comms or cue light system to backstage.

Lighting

Theatre 3 has a compact LED lighting rig.

General Cover

  • Front light: 4 x Elumen8 MP60 LED Fresnel WW Fresnels
  • Front colour wash: 2x Robe ParFect 100
  • Back light: 2x Robe ParFect 100

Specials

  • 2x PSP LED profiles mounted on the truss. May be re-focussed to your requirements.

Houselights

  • 2 x Pixelline 1044 LED Battens controlled from the lighting console

Control

  • Jands Stage CL Console

Sound

The sound system is designed primarily for playback of music and effects.

Sound reinforcement, except for certain live music acts, is not necessary in this venue.

Sources

  • 3.5mm mini-jack cable supplied to connect additional equipment such as an MP3 player or laptop computer.

Control

  • 8 channel analogue sound desk.

Loudspeakers

  • 2x 10" 2-way active loudspeaker

Speakers are arranged in a stereo configuration and mounted on stands to the left and right of the stage, behind the drapes.

Available Equipment

These may be shared with adjacent theSpaceUK venues so please let us know if you wish to use any of the following:

  • 2 x Shure SM58 microphones with stands.
  • 1 x DI box for electric pianos etc.

Tie-Lines

Audio multicore between the stage and control position.

Sound Levels

This theatre is in close proximity to two others (one adjoining) so sound levels should show consideration to other performances in progress. At all our venues staff reserve the right to limit sound levels for the sake of other venues or building users, or for reasons or public health.

Projection

Please see our FAQ on projection - we don't provide a projector or screen, and our staff are not trained in the operation of projectors. Projection effects are particularly hard to achieve in this venue due to height clearance, stage size and lack of hanging space for a projector. Please include this requirement in your show information when applying so we can discuss the practicalities with you.

Space for hanging a projector on the truss is limited - please discuss your plans with your pre-production manager.

Screens may be floor standing (preferably) or hung from the scaffolding supporting the upstage drapes.

Bringing additional equipment

Space is limited for the use of additional lighting fixtures. Any use of your own equipment must be discussed with your Pre-Production Manager in advance; please see our FAQ regarding electrical equipment.

Notifying Us

The shows that are most successful are those that maintain good communication with their Pre-Production Manager throughout their development.

Aside from generally keeping us in the loop with your plans, and responding to requests for information by given deadlines, you must contact us in good time if:

  • you wish to use the space differently;
  • you want to hang anything from the scaffolding or truss;
  • your show requires the use of a projector;
  • you are planning on bringing any of your own (or hired) equipment;
  • you wish to use any special effects;
  • you have any items of set that require access or storage considerations;
  • you would like advice on making the most of the venue or achieving a particular artistic effect; or
  • you are unsure about any aspect of your arrival, load-in, technical rehearsal or show day routine that is not answered in the FAQs.

Plans and downloads

Document Download link

Plan

 Download

Lighting Plan

 Download