Gielgud Theatre London

Gielgud Theatre - London

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, we installed and commissioned a brand new fire alarm system in this stunning theatre situated on Shaftesbury Avenue in the heart of London's theatre district.

The system was a mixture of both wired and wireless devices across the whole theatre, replacing a system we installed back in 2002, which we have been maintaining ever since.

By using both wired and wireless kit, we were able to be sympathetic to the impressive Louis XVI style décor of the theatre as wiring to front of house was limited to service and technical areas.

The system itself is analogue addressable with a main panel and 2 repeater panels to give the user full control over the system.

Working alongside the Theatre Management, we built a close working relationship with the theatre Chief Electrician, Technical Department and Stage Management. This close working relationship meant that we were able to negotiate all the restrictions of the theatre's day to day running, as despite not having a show on due to the pandemic, this theatre was being used for dressing room space for the Les Miserables Concert show in the adjacent Sondheim Theatre and rehearsals for other West End shows like Phantom of the Opera.

We installed the new system alongside the original until the new system was commissioned. The original system was then removed. Our planning allowed us to carry out the change over to the new system in time for the Gielgud to return to full theatrical use with Hilary Mantel's The Mirror And The Light.

With our team of 4 installers and a Project Manager, this install took a little over 3 months, and as we were installing in another theatre close by too, we were able to relocate between the two when access was an issue.

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