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Co-presented by West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) and Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association (HKAAA), in collaboration with Hong Kong Association of Theatre Technician and Sceongraphers
Royal Shakespeare Theatre has been the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company since it was originally opened in 1932. It has always been a challenge for the directors trying to adapt Shakespeare’s plays, which were written to be performed in a limited space shared by actors and audience, to an expanded auditorium. Some seats were as far as 27 meters away which were too distanced for the audience to see the actors’ expressions.
To improve the audiences’ experience has been the main focus for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre redevelopment project. The new theatre formally reopened in 2011 with new auditorium seats 1040 people. The new thrust stage which is adjustable in shape and size has created a more intimate atmosphere. The distance of the audience from the stage has reduced to 15 meters only. Lights, acoustics and sightline have also been improved.
Mr. Simon Harper was the Deputy Project Director of Royal Shakespeare Theatre to oversee the renovation project. Duties include creating and overseeing the client brief, appointing the design team, managing stakeholder and public consultations, overseeing budget and programme setting, and liaising with funding bodies.
A workshop co-presented by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association, in collaboration with Hong Kong Association of Theatre Technician and Scenographers, Simon will talk about how to get a brief right, identifying the right equipment, addressing concerns raised by the client and the obstacles, challenges of the project.
Speaker: Simon Harper, Arts and Capital Projects Advisor
Date: 21 October 2013 (Mon)
Time: 7-9 pm
Venue: Board Room, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (29/F, Tower 6, The Gateway, 9 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)
Language: English
Fee: HKAAA/ HKATTS Members @HK$120; Non-members @HK$180
Simon Harper
Simon Harper is an arts professional with 30 years’ experience in the industry. As a Production Manager and Technical Director at venues such as The Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Half Moon in Stepney and the Almeida in Islington, he has produced various shows in the UK, USA and Europe. Since 1995, he has been involved in the construction of theatres, having a successful career as a Client Representative and Project Director, contributing to some of the UK's most successful arts construction projects.
During his tenure with National Theatre in 2010-2012, Simon was the Project Director for NT Future, the National Theatres programme to refurbish its workshops, foyers and the Cottesloe Theatre. He was responsible for creating and implementing the NT’s extensive decant strategy. Prior that, Simon was the Deputy Project Director of Royal Shakespeare Theatre to oversee in the renovation project.
Simon joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, working as the Project Director-Transition, involving in the creation of its temporary home, The Courtyard Theatre. He was also the Technical Director and Project Client Representative of The London Coliseum, English National Opera, St Martins Lane for 4 years while the Deputy Project Manager of Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square for 5 years.
Simon has had extensive involvement with funding bodies, government agencies and monitors, familiar with managing publicly funded projects as well as the governance they require. He is also an advisor to the UK's Theatres Trust and a member of the Association of British Theatre Technicians.
