The Hyperion Theatre
February 16, 2001
The Hyperion Theatre opens in New Californian Theme Park.
The Hyperion Theatre is a fully equipped proscenium theatre, accommodating 2000 seats with good sightlines and seating positions for disabled guests. The interior design of the auditorium is completely flexible with the look of the theatre achieved by scenic applique over a functional framework. Special accommodation has been afforded to younger audience members who may be enjoying their first legitimate theatre experience in the Hyperion Theatre.
Hyperion Exterior
The auditorium incorporates two balconies that bring the seating into a close and interactive relationship with the stage. The unusual proscenium area consists of a structure of scaffolding from orchestra floor to gridiron, which enables the "theming" of the auditorium to be changed to echo the design of each production. For the opening the proscenium is decked out with images of boxes and cartouches from classic Los Angeles Theatres, affording young audience members a taste of "real theatre" in a fun environment. The first show is a fast turn-around Broadway-style musical, which combines animated movies and live action, but the theatre can support any large scale Broadway/West End musical show.
The theatre has provision for a large company of singers and dancers as well as a stage incorporating advanced technical systems. These include a high capacity counterweight rigging system, enhanced with micro-processor controlled power flying equipment, a large apron lift with multi-speed digital control (which can interface to a ladder logic control system elsewhere in the park) and a forestage grid with winches for sound and scenery suspension. The design includes a substantial rear stage and a dust-free laser room along with many other 21st Century facilities.
Hyperion Interior
Theatre Projects Consultants were the theatre planners and designers and were responsible for specifying the performance equipment, as well as providing peer review for the state-of-the-art performance and theme lighting control and infrastructure and sound and audio-visual systems. TPC worked alongside the theme parks design and technical specialist teams as theatre consultant.
Architects: Hardy Holzman & Pfeiffer Associates.