Every seat has been carefully designed to achieve an unobstructed view of the full proscenium arch, so no-one misses out on the performance. 

Centrally located and highly visible through the precinct, the 800 +seat theatre has been meticulously designed by a world-class team of expert consultants and contractors to meet the rigorous acoustic and functional requirements of a contemporary theatre. It accommodates performances from professional, semi-professional, and amateur artists. In addition, it is also used for school performances, graduations, presentations, civic functions, conferences, and seminars.  

Acoustic design is complex. Orchestras need lots of hard surfaces to cleanly bounce the music back, however in the same space a band with microphones would end up muddy and too much reverberation and feedback.   

A band or theatre production uses lots of amplification so heavy drapes and soft surfaces help to stop echoes and sound bouncing everywhere, however in the same space a piano recital would sound dead and dull.   

Bunjil Place needed to accommodate both uses.  Acoustic Studio, a specialist acoustic consulting firm, developed and refined the acoustic design for the performance spaces using specialist acoustic modelling software Odeon which applies the physics of sound to the architectural interiors and predicts the acoustic performance of the space in terms such as reverberance, clarity and acoustic strength and responds to the acoustic needs of a wide range of performance types. 

Timber panels distribute the sound to the back-most seats in the house, while sound absorbing perforations in the panels stop this becoming too much.  The finished product has been met with great reviews, with all users thrilled at the quality of experience in all formats. 

Perhaps the most impressive acoustic feature though is the fact that the entire concrete structure for the theatre has been structurally separated so that no vibrations and sounds will transfer into the space and interfere with any performances 

Every seat has been carefully designed to achieve an unobstructed view of the full proscenium arch, so no-one misses out on the performance.  There are ample seats throughout for anyone in a wheelchair, offering full immersion in the experience of the production.  And even parents can duck out the back room if their little one starts crying, where they can hear through the PA system and watch through sound proof glass.  No-one misses out at Bunjil Place. 

The proscenium arch itself has been sized to cater to large productions, with the flexibility to be reduced for more intimate events.  And the fly tower has a combination of automatic and manual pulleys to lift or lower backdrops and sets.  This means you can have the speed and precision of an automated system, yet still have the option of the hands-on traditional theatre operation. 

Concealed beneath the stage is an orchestra pit for those soaring musical numbers.  

 Features include: 

• Intimate volume created by curve of seating plats and wrap around balconies 
• Consideration of multi-use requirement and innovation in acoustics  
• Two levels: Circle + Balconies 300pax / Stalls 500pax 
• A superb bespoke architectural and acoustic timber wall feature  
• Fully operable fly tower   
• Full proscenium arch, large stage, cross over and ample stage wings 
• Fully equipped and centrally located control room, sound mix desk and follow spotare  room  
• Catwalks and light and sound rigging able to accommodate every performance.  
• Fully accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs in every section of the auditorium. 
• VIP boxes for the ‘best seat in the house’. 
• Large 13 metre deep x 14 metre wide proscenium arch stage with ample wing space plus apron, which converts to accommodate extra seating or an orchestra pit. 
• 32-person orchestra pit with pit lift. 
• Well-appointed lighting, sound, audio visual, stage and other electro acoustic equipment. 
• An audience services counter for ticketing, cloaking and retail offers including light snacks and beverages. 
• Support spaces including dressing rooms, green room and musicians room, dimmer and rack rooms, wardrobe, storage for props, technical office and touring office. 
• There is a goods lift, trap room and orchestra pit store.