Cookstown headquartered supplier of audio-visual solutions Rea Sound has partnered with the Millennium Forum in Derry/Londonderry to deliver a major upgrade of the venue's audio system, enhancing the experience for audiences, performers and production teams while helping future-proof one of the region's most important arts and entertainment venues.
The project marks a milestone in the Millennium Forum's ongoing investment programme as it approaches its 25th anniversary. Welcoming more than 320,000 visitors each year, the venue has been modernising its facilities and technical infrastructure to ensure it can continue attracting world-class productions, conferences and live events for decades to come.
A key objective of the project was to create a consistently high-quality listening experience throughout the main auditorium regardless of seat location whilst also delivering the flexibility required to support a broad programme of events from West End productions and touring musicals to comedy, conferences, concerts, graduations, pantomimes, and in-house productions.
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Following a competitive public procurement process, Rea Sound was appointed with their proposed solution judged to be the strongest technical fit for the venue’s unique requirements. This project also builds on a long-standing relationship between the two organisations, with Rea Sound having supported the Millennium Forum's technical operations for more than 25 years.
With a 1,000-plus-seat auditorium at its heart, the venue demanded audio that reached every seat in the house, making precise placement and system design central to the brief.
Designed and delivered by Rea Sound, the Martin Audio solution is tailored to meet the Millennium Forum’s diverse programme and operational requirements. Main auditorium coverage is delivered by Wavefront Precision WPS optimised line array, powered by iKON amplifiers running at one enclosure per amplifier channel providing The Millennium Forum maximum control, coverage and consistency.
FlexPoint handles underfill and front fill duties, whilst SX subwoofers extend the low-frequency response of the entire system. On-stage infills and a new stage monitor system complete the full Martin Audio deployment.
Commenting on their ongoing partnership with Rea Sound to deliver this project Chloe Harkin, Technical Manager at The Millennium Forum said, “As the premier arts venue in the Northwest of Ireland, it was vital that we continue investing in our infrastructure so we can continue to bring world-class entertainment to the region.
"Whilst much of our technical infrastructure has served us exceptionally well since the Forum opened in 2001, thanks to the dedication of generations of technical staff, it was important as we approach our 25th anniversary to invest in the next generation of equipment that will support the venue for many years to come."
"The new Martin Audio system designed and installed by Rea Sound will completely transform the Millennium Forum experience. For our audiences, it will ensure that no matter what seat you’re in, you won’t miss a single syllable of what’s happening on stage. For artists and technical teams, our space will be more accessible and equipped to cater to all scales of production on a level we haven’t been able to deliver before. From theatre and musicals to conferences, rock concerts and community events, this new system will deliver a fully-immersive, accessible, and memorable experience for production staff and audiences alike.”
Audience experience was central to the brief, with the Forum seeking a solution that would deliver exceptional clarity and consistency throughout the auditorium. The expanded technical capabilities enabled
by this installation will allow more productions to be fully supported using in-house infrastructure, reducing input required from external suppliers while creating new opportunities for visiting performers, producers and event organisers.
Reflecting on their continued partnership with the Millennium Forum Roger McMullan, Director at Rea Sound said, “Building relationships is the foundation of Rea Sound, we are a family owned and run business and over the 55 years Sean Gallagher has been instrumental in promoting that ethos. Working with the Millennium Forum for the past 25 years has allowed us to be there to support them and bring this new state of the art audio solution to the venue.
This newly commissioned Martin Audio system will deliver greater performance, flexibility and long-term value for the Millennium Forum, which was important in a climate where arts funding is being stretched more than ever.”
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Commenting on the collaboration project with Rea Sound, Chloe Harkin from Millennium Forum reflected, “Working with the team at Rea Sound is always a delightfully easy process. The level of knowledge, expertise, and customer support they offer is second to none, and they worked closely with us on the timeline, as we're a fully programmed theatre with very limited options for install dates.”
Installation took place in June following several months of consultation, system design and procurement, with post-installation commissioning and training now complete. The Rea Sound installation team, under the leadership of Mark Gallagher, provided another world beating professional result, supported by Gerard Wilkinson who provided the training, programmed and commissioned the system.
The partnership between Rea Sound and the Millennium Forum reflects both organisations' commitment to investing in high-quality technical infrastructure that enhances live performance, supports creative ambition and ensures audiences across the Northwest continue to enjoy exceptional entertainment experiences.
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