LSI Projects has delivered a comprehensive lighting and audiovisual infrastructure upgrade as part of the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, Wales.
Originally opened in 1976, the Grade II listed building underwent a fundamental rethink rather than a routine refresh. LSI Projects worked alongside project manager Plann and theatre consultant Charcoalblue throughout to deliver a technical upgrade that needed to be sensitive yet forward-looking.
“We needed to rejuvenate the spaces with the most up-to-date equipment without spoiling anything,” said Andrew Roberts, chief operating officer at Theatr Clwyd. “There is an awful lot of love for our two main theatre spaces, and this, coupled with being a Grade II listed building, added to those challenges. The teams have delivered brilliantly on that brief – the care and commitment have been exceptional.”
“One of the biggest challenges was modernising the building while retaining the character of its two main performance spaces,” said Paul Franklin, project lead at Charcoalblue. “The project required the complete replacement of end-of-life performance systems, all within the constraints of the existing structure and a tightly phased programme. Close collaboration across the design and delivery teams was essential to achieving a result that respects the building’s heritage while supporting how the theatre works today.”
Across the building’s five venues, LSI delivered comprehensive lighting and AV infrastructure. The lighting solution includes ETC ColourSource power control and a building-wide Paradigm system integrating DMX, DALI and BMS interfaces, extending into front-of-house and administrative areas. ETC Arc fixtures were installed to upgrade houselight systems across the venues, while Bluesystem products provided new work lighting.
In terms of AV, Q-SYS forms the backbone of the building-wide audio transport and paging system, with custom source selection interfaces enabling individual rooms to receive paging and show relay audio from multiple venues. A Green-Go digital intercom system was deployed throughout, and custom LSI Stage Manager Desks were fitted in the two primary theatre spaces.
Additional engineering solutions – including pipe grids and rigging channels – were installed in the Clwyd Rooms and Cinema to allow the technical team to deploy stage lighting and AV equipment flexibly across different productions and events.
Aside from the technical upgrade, the wider redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd also included the creation of a new timber foyer structure, and new facilities including Health and Wellbeing Rooms, Creative Engagement and Music Studios, a cinema and flexible event spaces, as well as a new food partnership with Welsh chef Bryn Williams. The theatre now operates gas-free, with rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic panels fitted across the roofs. The redevelopment created jobs during construction and has generated more than 100 additional roles within the refurbished venue.
“In the last 15 years, Theatr Clwyd has been through two prior feasibility studies,” commented Roberts of Theatr Clwyd. “It wasn’t an option to fail this time. Given that the project began its design phase in 2018, it has faced huge national and global challenges such as the pandemic and significant political upheaval. To have come through all of that and to have delivered a venue of this quality is something we are incredibly proud of.”
Stuart Dingwall, business development director at LSI Projects, said: “Theatr Clwyd really shows the breadth of what LSI can do. From stage and architectural lighting to performance audio, communications and advanced AV solutions, it was a complex project with a lot of moving parts. Our projects and technical teams took it all in their stride and it’s incredibly satisfying to see their hard work recognised in such an important venue.”
