Britten Theatre

A day in the life of the Britten Theatre

The intimate 400-seat Britten Theatre provides a showcase for our students and the opportunity to delight visitors with sublime music in a jewel-like space. 

It has a myriad of uses and is frequently busy from dawn to dusk. Here is an example of a typical day in the theatre…

8.30am: Technical Staff arrive to set up for rehearsal

10.00am: Rehearsal of RCM opera production starts with Conductor, Director and the four leads. Blocking and staging that tricky quartet at the end of Act II.

1.00pm: Break for lunch. Students from Composition for Screen coming to check projector and screen for forthcoming showcase event.

2.00pm: Masterclass for members of the Vocal Faculty, led by Sarah Connolly, attended by students and public

5.00pm: Visit for external hire event. A ballet company is holding a fundraising gala here next month, for the fourth year in a row. They like the intimate style of the auditorium, the technical resources and the location.

5.30pm: The grand piano is tuned while the Technical Staff quietly set up the evening performance

7.30pm: Chamber Music performance attended by 200 audience members. String quartet, piano & voice, and brass.

9.00pm until late: Fit up for opera production