AUSTRALIA: Thebarton Theatre in Torrensville, South Australia, has enhanced its in-house audio capabilities with the installation of a dBTechnologies VIO Series sound reinforcement system, providing the historic venue with a scalable solution designed to meet the demands of the majority of contemporary touring productions while preserving the operational flexibility that has long defined the venue. Supplied through National Audio Systems (NAS), the official Australian partner for dBTechnologies, the system was designed by Andrew (Andy) Gayler of AJS Productions to deliver high-performance coverage for the theatre’s 2,000-capacity auditorium without compromising its ability to accommodate larger touring systems when required.

Known locally as “Thebby”, Thebarton Theatre has been a cornerstone of Australia’s live music circuit for almost a century, hosting generations of Australian and international artists. Its combination of fixed seating, side balconies, a large flat-floor general admission area and distinctive vaulted ceiling presents unique acoustic and rigging considerations, requiring an audio system capable of delivering consistent coverage across a variety of audience configurations while remaining straightforward to deploy and remove when necessary.

Rather than specifying a large-format touring system intended to satisfy every possible production, Gayler proposed a practical approach centred on a system capable of supporting the vast majority of the venue’s day-to-day requirements. “I proposed a cost-effective system that would be fit-for-purpose at least 80% of the time. Something compact and capable of covering the whole space easily and clearly, with plenty of headroom, and yet can be quickly de-rigged and put back together again after a larger system needs to be brought in. The Thebby has for the most part been a ‘stacks and racks’ venue anyway – except it’s not racks so much anymore because everything is active and self-powered.”

The installed system comprises eight VIO L1610 active line array modules flown per side, complemented by three floor-stacked VIO S218 subwoofers on each side and VIO X206 loudspeakers providing front-fill coverage. Owing to the architectural limitations of the venue, an overhead centre-fill system was not feasible, although the deployed configuration was able to achieve the required coverage without one. System management is handled through the dBTechnologies RDNET Control 8 platform and AuroraNet software, providing engineers with comprehensive loudspeaker control, monitoring and optimisation capabilities.

Gayler also noted how changing production workflows have influenced equipment investment decisions within performance venues, particularly as more touring artists arrive with self-contained digital mixing and in-ear monitoring systems. “So many acts are bringing full in-ear monitoring now with a digital mixer pre-configured. All they need is a power outlet. It’s getting harder to justify in a venue like the Thebby spending money to have, for instance, a dozen powered, new wedges in the storeroom when so often they won’t get used.”

With refurbishment works entering their final stages, the complete sound system design, installation and commissioning had to be completed within an eight-week window. Gayler credited National Audio Systems for helping ensure the project remained on schedule. “NAS was a great help with the planning and commissioning of the system. And everything was in stock – which might seem an obvious thing, but it wouldn’t be the first time a project was stalled or over time because components aren’t available. NAS made sure it was all ready to go.”

The new dBTechnologies VIO system now forms the foundation of Thebarton Theatre’s in-house sound infrastructure, delivering the output capability, clarity and coverage required for the majority of concerts and live events while allowing larger touring productions to integrate their preferred systems when necessary. The result is a practical, future-ready audio solution that complements one of South Australia’s most enduring and celebrated live performance venues.