Steeldeck Rentals enjoys a long-standing relationship with London’s Kiln Theatre, an intimate venue known for its big ambitions. Regular users of our dry hire services, the theatre often incorporates our decking into their productions.

For The Purists, Deputy Production Manager Charlotte Ranson approached Steeldeck Rentals to help realise the unique set design—a split-level, skeletal representation of a New York residential building. With its industrial aesthetic featuring exposed structural frameworks and scaffolding, Steeldeck was the natural choice. We provided a robust raised platform for the upper level, seamlessly complementing the urban design of the show.

Sustainability was central to the production, with The Kiln committed to the Theatre Green Book, the initiative which champions the theatre industry to work more sustainably. By using reusable materials from Steeldeck, the theatre avoided single-use construction and minimised waste, furthering their environmental goals.

The Challenge

• Variable Elevations: The high raised platform required legs positioned on four different levels, as parts of the theatre’s stage were removed to create voids down to the pit level.
• Structural Bracing: The height of the structure required supported bracing and to allow clear bays at the front for functional doors and windows inset into the structure.
• Tight Space: The Kiln’s intimate space meant working efficiently within the theatre’s limited backstage and onstage areas. Coordinating with other contractors and ensuring safe construction practices added further complexity.

Our Solution
We examined a scaled model of the set to visualise the Steeldeck structure in situ, identify potential issues, and plan accordingly. We drafted initial deck layouts and collaborated closely with the designer and production draftsman. The complexity of the design led us to create a detailed 3D model of the structure, ensuring we could accurately assess the underside and plan for compliant bracing that met the vision.

Key aspects of the solution included:

• Designing a raised platform nearly 4m high, with clear front bays to accommodate inset windows and doors.
• Collaborating with the theatre’s rigger to safely lift and assemble the deck at height using rigging hoists.
• Sequencing the build efficiently to work within the tight space while coordinating with other contractors.
  

Bristol-based Paraorchestra is the only orchestra in the UK that unites professional disabled and non-disabled musicians to create large-scale, innovative music projects. Their upcoming August concert, part of the BBC Proms, will transform the traditional classical experience with The Virtuous Circle, an immersive performance that includes Mozart’s 40th Symphony, contemporary compositions, and dance.

When Production Manager Hannah Chittel sought a complete set made from Steeldeck and needed assistance with the design process, she was recommended to us. We collaborated to deliver a flexible arrangement of platforms and ramps, enabling the cast to rehearse and experiment with the performance piece. The set design needed to be highly adaptable to accommodate the needs of both performers and the audience.

With initial dimensions in hand, we drafted several design options featuring practical low-level ramps and platforms. For the R&D week at the Document rehearsal space, we delivered a set design that included rolling platforms capable of locking into place alongside neighbouring ramps and platforms. Paraorchestra experimented with various configurations, ultimately settling on a central circular arrangement with 12-meter ramps extending to either side of the auditorium.

Thanks to the versatility of the Steeldeck system and our expertise, we were able to create a robust, industrial look that was also fully accessible for performers and audiences.

Our involvement in the design process throughout the R&D meant we could showcase the modular benefits of Steeldeck, especially for creating varied performance and audience viewing levels in a promenade setting. This level of project management and client support for redesigns is a hallmark of Steeldeck’s customer service.

Our dependable, hassle-free product and support—from design to installation and de-rigging—ensured the success of this unique project. Are you in need of stage or seating hire in Bristol? Take a look at our Bristol and Cardiff Stage Hire projects today.

“42 Balloons” is the brilliantly funny musical performance that tells the true story of Larry Walters and Carol Van Deusen’s extraordinary adventure to achieve a lifelong dream. In the summer of 1982, they constructed an unconventional aircraft using a chair and approximately 42 helium balloons, launching Larry 16,000 feet into the sky above Los Angeles.

Having previously collaborated with Steeldeck on other projects, Production Manager Ryan Funnell reached out to us for assistance in constructing a raised band platform behind the set. The show features a live band, and the stage space in the Quays Theatre at The Lowry required additional space with a raised platform.

The platform needed to be at a specific height to align perfectly with the level of the scenery, requiring full bracing due to its height. Additionally, the design had to tightly follow the curve of the scenery.

We explored various deck layout options in AutoCAD and considered different solutions for the access steps to minimise the use of wing space.

With a tight build and tech schedule for the show, we had to navigate around a lot of other on-stage activities to get the platform built in time for the band to begin technical rehearsals.

Despite other work needing completion before we could start our platform, we kept our team on site and worked around the show’s needs to ensure timely completion.

The Nottingham Playhouse has been producing theatre for over 70 years, designing productions that are ‘bold brilliant and relevant, creating lasting memories’, staging ten news shows every year.

In preparation for their latest production, ‘Punch’ by James Graham, the production team required a rehearsal set from day one of rehearsals, and it made sense for Nottingham Playhouse to enlist our experienced staging Steeldeck Rentals London based team to help build and install the set.

Given the unique intricacies of the brief and the complicated design, Steeldeck were tasked to build an 8’ high platform with a walkway underneath, and two sets of curved, ramped steps off the sides, using rectangular deck.

With a meticulous approach to ensure the structure would work, we utilised CAD to conceptualise the structure, engineered a cardboard model, and conducted a test build in our London warehouse. This rigorous testing meant that the final install at the American International Church in Tottenham Court Road would seamlessly match our client’s original vision. The end result met the brief, and we were able to closely recreate the design using Steeldeck, which, as a hireable item that can be set up within half a day, enhanced their rehearsal experience. Nottingham Playhouse were impressed with our work, particularly as feasibility and craftmanship delivered on their objective.

As rehearsals transition to a new location in Nottingham, we will continue to support the production in replicating the build. We really enjoyed working on this project, as it demonstrates our expertise in tackling complex designs in stage construction. Explore our Theatre & Music Stage Hire solutions today.

The National Theatre (NT) is one of the UK’s most prominent performing arts venues, and is home to three world-renowned theatres, The Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman Theatres. Steeldeck has a long-standing relationship with the NT and benefits from the invaluable expertise of Steeldeck team members who have previously worked within NT production departments, giving sound inside knowledge and productive collaborations.

Steeldeck are often invited by the NT to provide seating hire and staging hire solutions to support theatre performances. In July 2023, the NT restaged a production of ‘The Effect’ by Lucy Prebble in the Lyttelton Theatre.

Given the intense intimacy of the play, The Effect creative team; Director, Jamie Lloyd and Designer, Soutra Gilmour wanted a bespoke seating configuration for their traverse staging to create a stage where the audience sit either side, with the stage in between. Steeldeck worked closely with the NT Production Team to help realise this creative vision which required a complete transformation of the Lyttelton stage and auditorium installing a tiered seating bank onstage mirrored with a similar seating tier in the auditorium. Take a look at our Stage and Seating Hire Solutions for Theatres today!