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====== Nuffield Theatre ======

**The Nuffield Theatre closed permanently in 2020. In 2026, the University of Southampton began work to renovate the Nuffield into [[https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/SitePages/Nuffield-announcement--permitted-development-application.aspx|"a high-quality multi-use space for teaching, events and conferences"]] (link requires iSolutions account).**

Home to at least one production by a PA society a year, the Nuffield Theatre always hosts some of StageSoc's most challenging productions.

The Nuffield Theatre is a professional producing theatre, based at the Highfield Campus. As well as the theatre's own shows, it also hosts touring productions, and comedians such as Rich Hall, Lucy Porter and Ed Byrne. Find out [[http://nuffieldtheatre.co.uk/|What's On]].

The Nuffield Theatre uses an [[https://www.etcconnect.com|ETC]] [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/upload/2632_eXJ5igmy.pdf]|Expression 3]] lighting desk to control its 228 Strand LD90 dimmers (216x2.5Kw & 12x5Kw). 72 of these are patchable, whilst the remainder are hard-wired to sockets. There are also 36 non-dim circuits, controlled by a panel in the LX box. The theatre has a large stock of lanterns including: SILs, Source 4 Profiles, Patt. 743s, Tulla Litos, Patt. 243s, Coemar 2Ks, Codas and Irises. The normal LX operating position is in a control box positioned above the back of the auditorium. There are also control points in the centre of the auditorium (for production desk), and in Prompt Corner.

The front-of-house PA is a [[https://www.k-array.com/en/|K-Array]] system with infills and subs. There are also various other speakers and amps available, including Bose 802's with controller, and JBL Control 1's. A selection of sound desks are available, depending upon the requirements of the performance. These range from a [[https://www.soundcraft.com/en-US|Soundcraft]] [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/upload/3299_zBuLL1Bo.pdf|Spirit Live4 12:4:2]] to an [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/upload/3299_zBuLL1Bo.pdf|Allen & Heath]] [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/upload/3297_ylGwQL9r.pdf|ML5000]]. There are also the [[https://www.yamaha.com/2/proaudio/|Yamaha]] [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/upload/2631_oDUHAI4H.pdf|O2R]] (version 1) and DiGiCo SD9 digital sound desks. The DiGiCo SD9 comes standard with the Nuffield hire. Both digital desks and to a lesser extent the ML5000 can be MIDI controlled from a computer, allowing some automation of operation and backup of sound setting. There are several CD players and MiniDisc players and outboard signal processing (such as reverb units and equalizers. There is a small selection of microphones as heavy miking is not usually required in this space. There are, however, twelve Sennheiser EW300 G1 radio microphones, and two handheld radio microphones. There are numerous 'Facilities Panels' around the building, which have audio tie lines, speakon lines, BNC video lines, Ethernet lines and cans circuits, which run to a [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/viewfile.php?catId=111&id=3310|patch panel]] in the Sound box. This makes plugging up equipment anywhere around the venue relatively easy.

The stage has two variable height forestages, which can be either orchestra pit, auditorium seating or stage. The LX and tab bars are single purchase counter-weighted and there are 20 hemp sets. There is a counter-weighted trap door. The prompt desk has the master cans station, controls for cue lights, and a stage video monitor. Calls to backstage and FOH can be made from here.

The theatre also has a Studio space, which along with a variety of touring shows, hosts regular children's theatre performances on Saturday mornings. The space also doubles as the theatre's bar and café

More information can be found [[https://stagesoc.org.uk/gallery/viewfile.php?catId=111&id=3310|here]].