Charcoalblue - by Hugh Pearman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book charts a twenty-year period in theatre design that maps the growth of large-scale adaptable theatre through Charcoalblue's work, alongside the world's leading architects. From the remaking of London's Young Vic Theatre in the mid-2000s, through larger scale projects for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House and many other cultural organisations worldwide, the practice have provided specialist expertise, collaborating with and mindful of everyone in the business, from actors and musicians, producers and directors, to engineers and architects.

Highly illustrated with photos and drawings, the book includes sections on adaptable theatres, temporary spaces, anti-culture palaces, theatrical transformations, and hidden gems. Each case study provides insightful analysis. There are sections which focus on updating historic theatres and creating performance spaces for leading academic institutions. The book also includes useful technical sections which focus on acoustics, digital environments and even a section which discusses developing seating. It also features for the first time an analysis of the Perelman Center at the World Trade Center - David Lan, former director of the Young Vic and advisor to Manhattan's Perelman theatre, contributes a Foreword - and the forthcoming American Repertory Theatre. The 'crazy adventures' of Harry Potter at the Lyric Theatre on Broadway and the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse in London are revealed.

It also looks to the future of theatre, as the practice explores new territory in virtual and digital scapes, and discusses changes to space, materials, performance and presentation, as well as how Charcoalblue's skills in venue design are extending their work beyond the cultural space into contemporary working environments.

Review Quotes

'Charcoalblue are the most innovative and forward-thinking theatre designers in the world. Their work on the Perelman Performing Arts Center in NYC has created three brilliantly designed auditoria that can magically transform into over 50 different iterations. They can do anything, from cutting-edge projects to restoring the old, or designing a theatre for a school or an acoustically perfect concert hall. There's no one better, anywhere. They are talented, fun and exceptionally nice to work with. It's wonderful to see their work in this book.' - Maggie Boepple, Founding President PAC/NYC

'Charcoalblue has been at the centre of my professional life since they started out. I have built, planned or worked in their theatres across the globe, and bemoaned my fate every time I have not. This book is testament to those theatres and to the experience, dedication and skill of the people who designed them. If you're a theatre maker, a student of theatre or a theatre-goer, Hugh Pearman has captured something special for you from Charcoalblue's repertoire, of which I am a true fan.' - Stephen Daldry, CBE, director and producer

'Having had the pleasure of working with Charcoalblue on the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn, and experienced first-hand their passion, inspiration, dedication and expertise, Hugh Pearman's analysis of their previously undocumented work, and the pictorial celebration of their team's impact over the last 20 years is a joy to read.' - Indhu Rubasingham, MBE, Artistic Director, National Theatre, London

About the Author

Hugh Pearman was the architecture and design critic for The Sunday Times for 30 years and (overlapping with this) the editor of the RIBA Journal. His previous books include About Architecture (Yale University Press, 2023), Cullinan Studio in the 21st Century (Lund Humphries, 2020), Equilibrium: the work of Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners *(Phaidon, 2000), *Airports: a century of architecture *(Laurence King, 2004) and *Contemporary World Architecture (Phaidon, 1998). He has contributed to many others including A Gendered Profession (RIBA Publishing, 2016). He writes for many media ranging from Royal Academy magazine and The Spectator to *Architectural Record *in the United States. He is an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA and in 2019 he was made an MBE for services to architecture. He is currently Chair of the 20th Century Society.