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In August 2020, led by Stufish Entertainment Architects, a group of producers, creatives and technical specialists gathered to work towards a new design of venues that would allow concerts to resume during the global pandemic. Stufish had previously created live performance designs for artists such as Beyoncé, U2, Madonna, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Monty Python, and Queen + Adam Lambert, as well as permanent theaters in China.
The Vertical Theatre Group Creativity defines all the artists and partners we work with, said Stufish partner and entertainment architect
Ric Lipson in a release. At Stufish, we were excited to see what a new type of cross arts collaboration could produce, as we build a new vision for the future of live entertainment – The Vertical Theatre.
January 29, 2021 2:47 pm
Entertainment architecture and design company Stufish has launched The Vertical Theatre, a “freestanding tourable structure” that will allow socially distanced audiences to enjoy live performances again.
So far, the coronavirus pandemic has wrought havoc on the performing arts: the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre estimated losses for the sector were around £630 million just three months into the crisis. As the country approaches the one-year anniversary of its first COVID case, this number looks to be significantly higher.
The Vertical Theatre has been designed by Stufish with the intention of “future-proofing” the industry. In the short term, it aims to provide a Covid-safe space for performances happening amid the pandemic. In the long-term, it could be a more environmentally friendly way of touring productions around the country, Stufish claims.
Architecture studio Stufish has revealed its concept for a socially-distanced vertical theatre, which was created in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The concept was created for the recently formed The Vertical Theatre Group, which was founded by entertainment architects Stufish along with several theatre directors and producers.
Named the Vertical Theatre, it aims to be a pop-up venue for the new era of performance venues while social distancing regulations are in place and once the pandemic has passed.
Stufish designed the Vertical Theatre to be a socially distanced venue Initially, the concept was about keeping the arts alive by creating a venue that could pop up in cities around the country and be programmed and run by those left out of work from the closure of local theatres and live entertainment venues, said Holly Gilliam, director at The Vertical Theatre Group.