Theatre On The Fly
Theatre on the Fly is the latest instalment by design-and-build collective Assemble.
Theatre on the Fly is the latest instalment by design-and-build collective Assemble. The group have been commissioned to create a temporary theatre space on behalf of Chichester Festival Theatre in celebration of their 50th Anniversary.
Assemble, the team behind last year's open air cinema and performance space Folly for a Flyover, created the structure out of scaffolding, chipboard and plastic. And the participatory experience was extended to the local community who donated materials and volunteered their time to help in the construction.
The design for the theatre is based on the fly tower, an upward extension of stage walls used for hoisting and lowering scenery during a performance. The space is filled with visible ropes, pulleys, spotlights and scaffolding platforms, exposing a part of theatre that is normally hidden from audience view. Large chipboard steps facing the stage seat spectators, and a set of full-height doors open up behind allowing for both indoor or outdoor performances.
Over nine weeks during the summer, Theatre on the Fly will be hosting an open programme of workshops, talks and three plays directed by local directors. The project reiterates the importance of culture in the community, encouraging renewed interest in its construction and content.
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