The Halls Norwich

St. Andrew's Hall is the centrepiece of The Halls complex and is the name by which many people refer to them.

It has a fine, high-beamed ceiling, beautiful stained glass windows, limestone columns and a large polished maple floor. It was originally the nave of the Friary and was completed in 1449. The size and beauty of its proportions are impressive without elaborate decoration in keeping with the friars' rule of simplicity.

The stained glass, stone carving and deeply-coloured portraits add richness to the simple backdrop of the building, adding a contemporary feel to this incredibly historical building of civic tradition - the best of both worlds.

The nave was intended as a great preaching hall for citizens of Norwich with the pillars kept as light and as high as possible to maximise vision and acoustics. The fine hammer-beam roof was a gift from Sir Thomas Epingham who commanded English archers at Agincourt. The west window is Victorian Gothic and contains fine examples of stained glass depicting the coats of arms of well-known local families.

The hall has traditionally been used for a multitude of functions from Royal banquets to international table tennis. It is regularly used for classical music concerts and during the Norfolk and Norwich Festival,every year, it hosts performances by jazz, world and folk artists from all over the world. It is popular for banquets and dinners, conferences, collector's markets and exhibitions.

St. Andrew's has a fixed stage, which can be extended, and a retractable tiered gallery which transforms into and impressive auditorium seating 800 people. The stage and choir stalls can accommodate orchestras of 100 musicians and choirs of 250. With appropriate space management, however, it is also comfortable for much smaller groups of performers. Behind the choir stalls is the organ that was specially commissioned and designed for St. Andrew's by the Bryson brothers in 1880. There is also a Steinway grand piano which is available for hire.

The tiered seating accommodates up to 186 people and provides a fabulous view of proceedings either directed at the permanent stage of for central arena events. Main access is through the porch door and is flat and accessible but it is also integrated with the facilities of adjoining hall spaces.

Dimensions

Floor = 95’ x 70’ or 29m x 21.5m

Permanent Stage = 40’ wide by 17’ deep (extendable to 25’), apron, no proscenium arch

Extensions = 5 Units 8’ x 6’ plus 2 units 8’ x 4’

Height = Approx 65’ in central aisle, 45’ in side aisles

Lighting

Stage = 32 x 1kw plus 2 x 2kw follow spots controlled by Strand MX 48 way board

Auditorium spots = 15 chandeliers dimming control plus clerestory window lights, picture spots and pillar uplights.

No blackout possible.

Seating Accommodation

Theatre-style
maximum = 799 optimum = 707 effective minimum = 200

Concert without stage extensions
maximum = 799 optimum = 707 effective minimum = 550

Concert with stage extensions
maximum = 755 optimum = 667 effective minimum = 530

Dinner
maximum = 600 optimum = 500 effective minimum = 250

Dinner Dance
maximum = 500 optimum = 450 effective minimum = 100

Fashion Show
maximum = 800 optimum = 600 effective minimum = 300

Sales events
6’ table - maximum = 80 optimum = 70
8’ tables - maximum = 65 optimum = 55