Technical Information
As a venue, the Bedford Corn Exchange deals with a wide array of diverse events and clients. They include major professional touring acts, amateur productions as well as private bookings for weddings, parties and conferences.
The technical team can provide and operate the necessary equipment required to run a successful event. With a large range of professional lighting equipment including Profile and Fresnel lanterns and Parcans of various sizes, along with a modern in-house lighting desk, the technical team can provide the expertise to accommodate the various aspects of a client's requirements.
For events requiring the use of the in-house sound equipment, the technical staff can provide and operate a large range of audio equipment.
Detailed below is information on technical equipment available at the Bedford Corn Exchange complex.
Please click here to download a full technical document
Power Supplies
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
The Harpur Suite has 14 plug sockets of which six are located on the stage. There are also a further three plug sockets in the Harpur Suite bar.
11 plug sockets are available for use in the Howard Room.
A 32amp, 2 phase, power supply is available for use in the Civic Theatre and is located in the trip-switch cupboard, stage left, by the rear exit door.
In the Civic Theatre there are four 13 amp plug sockets in the main hall, four on the stage and four in the foyer.
Lighting
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
Civic Theatre - Currently, there are fourteen lanterns rigged, which include Fresnels, Codas and Profiles.
Follow Spots
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
Crew
Depending upon the scale of the event being held, the Corn Exchange can organise agency staff for get-in and get-outs at additional cost to the hirer.
Mixer and Lighting Desk Position
A professionally installed line array RCF TT+ TL33-A and Yamaha M7CL are permanently installed with a BullFrog Zero88 Lighting desk in the Sound and Lighting Desk, in the Sound and Lighting Room. This is located at the rear of the Main Auditorium at balcony height.
With the recent addition of a new M400 V-Mixing Digital sound mixing desk, (revolutionary digital desk from Roland RSS) 48 channels with 32 and 16 out from Cat5 Digital Snake stage unit on stage, the PA system, installed in the Harpur Suite, Howard Room (TTL 22-A and Sub TTS28A) and the Civic Theatre (TTL25-A and sub TTS28A) can be used for conference meetings and stage events requiring a unique PA configuration.
Flying / Rigging
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
Drapes and Backdrops
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
Truck Access and Parking
For major productions requiring the use of the rear stage store door to the Main Auditorium, access and parking for small trucks is available. A scissor lift was recently installed with a maximum load per trip of 1.5t. The gates to this area are 3.65m wide; the total length from the gates to the stage door is 11m. For individuals' cars, there is limited parking at the Corn Exchange. However, there are numerous car parks within walking distance of the Corn Exchange. Please advise us of your parking requirements in advance of your event.
Civic Theatre
Access to the rear doors of the Civic Theatre is via the Town Hall car park. One parking space is available and is suitable for a small truck. Your vehicle details will be required in advance in order for us to organise parking arrangements.
Audio & Visual Recording Service
The Technical Team can now provide a live Audio and/or visual recording service. Recordings are made straight onto DAT tape and onto an Apple Mac. Post production, editing and mastering of the material is also available.
The Technical Team can also provide a video recording service, creating lasting mementos of events and promotional material.
For more information on these two new services, please contact Marcello Quartarone on 01234 344813.
Pyrotechnics, Smoke Machines and Other Effects
If the production has pyrotechnics, smoke machines and/or other stage effects within their show, the Corn Exchange technical and office staff need to be made aware prior to the staging of the event, as venue alarms and the stewards briefings may need to be changed. It is also advantageous to provide this information to the Central Box Office so that customers can be advised when purchasing tickets.
Stage Sizes
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
Within the Harpur Suite there is a semi-curricular stage approximately 5.43m (17' 10") wide by 3.93m (12' 11") deep. However a small modular stage similar to the used at our monthly Comedy Club can be built at an additional cost, if required.
The Civic Theatre's stage is 5.80m (18' 8") deep by 8.59m (28' 2") wide.
Door Dimensions
Main Auditorium – Click here to download the full technical sheet (opens in a new window)
The Harpur Suite's door dimensions are:
Main entrance - 8' 7" high, 5' wide
Main entrance - 8' 7" high, 5' 8" wide
Left hand side fire exit leading towards the toilets - 8' 7" high, 4' 5" wide
Fire exit on the left side of the stage - 7' 10" high, 4' 5" wide
Right hand side fire exit leading into the bar - 8' 7" high, 4' 5" wide
Emergency exit in the bar - 8' 8" high, 4' 8" wide
The Howard Room's door dimensions are:
Main entrance - 6' 7" high, 4' 2" wide
Fire exit to the Harpur Suite - 7' 6" high, 3' 8" wide
Additional Charges
For further details about additional charges please click here.