News - 29/02/2008

Ovingdean Hall School

February 2008 marked the official opening of the new performing arts studio, The Burwood Theatre, with an adaptation of Twelfth Night, at Ovingdean Hall School for severely and profoundly deaf children.

David Smith, Deputy Mayor of Brighton and Hove, joined the throng of parents, staff, governors and friends of the school who saw the show. Patron Dame Judi Dench also sent a special message from the set of the new James Bond film:

The Burwood Theatre, the culmination of a major fundraising campaign, has seen the old school hall transformed into a first class space specifically designed for deaf people. It has a new stage, lights and ceiling plus completely new features such as tiered seating and a cinema screen. Thanks to the fundraising efforts and technical expertise of The Association of Motion Picture Sound the school now has subtitling equipment which can be run alongside performances.

The theatre has been acoustically treated throughout so that children can get the most from their digital hearing aids or cochlear implants. At Ovingdean Hall School drama is a core subject because it encourages students to use their voices, work as a team and develop self-confidence. Pupils at the school are reported to be delighted with their new facility.

The theatrical lighting system, sound system and LCD projection system for the theatre were all designed by Stuart Graham at Clarity in Sound Light and Vision Limited, along with a second sound system for the drama studios.