GDS Provides Custom Solution for Théâtre du Châtelet,

GDS, the UK-based manufacturer of entertainment technology products, was recently commissioned to deliver a custom stage manager's console for Paris' Théâtre du Châtelet. The brief was to provide the theatre with a console that enabled the staff to integrate its control surfaces and that would give the theatre more functionality and control than would be gotten from a traditional stage manager's desk. The client wanted to control much more than the usual stage manager's functionality, requiring a product that enabled third-party integration.

The 2,500 seat venue is renowned for its acoustic qualities, thanks to its wooden floors and large glass dome.

Théâtre du Châtelet is situated along the quays of the Seine in Paris. Constructed by Gabriel Davoud in 1862, it was, in its time, the largest performance hall in Paris. The theatre is a multi-discipline venue hosting a schedule of performances from opera to dance and progressive theatre productions.

For the Théâtre du Châtelet, GDS supplied the SM console, which is modular in design and allows the client to select the functionality it requires. A large number of facilities can be integrated into a single control platform with the opportunity to expand the system in the future.

GDS supplied the SM console integrating a Type B case with a unipolar stand. The Type B wooden enclosure is the largest case size in the range and is designed to allow third party integration of the system. In addition to cue lights, intercom, clock, timer, and paging modules, GDS incorporated PC integration, local lighting control, video switching, VGA matrixing, DVD playback and audio mixing, other features included a large-format external monitors, two panel integrated color monitors, bar bells and a phone ringer.