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Auditoria Auditoria
  • Seating
    • All Seating Unit Types
    • Lecture Theatre Seating
    • Retractable Seating
    • Theatre Seating
    • Portable & Removable Seating
    • Stacking Chairs
  • Tiering Types
    • Retractable Units
    • Fixed Tiering
  • Seating Servicing
  • Company
  • Downloads
    • Download Our Brochures
    • Resources
  • News
    • News
    • Case Studies
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliates
    • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
Feb 19
raked seating- theatre seating- covid-19

What is Raked Seating?

  • 19th February 2015
  • News

You may have heard the terms ‘raked seating’ or a ‘raked stage’ if you are a regular visitor to the theatre or spend a lot of time in lecture halls. Even if you have never heard the phrases, you’ll have almost certainly sat in raked seating before. As it is commonplace in most venues and auditoriums. Raked seating (also referred to as retractable seating, telescopic, bleacher or stepped seating) is simply when the seating is on an upwards slope away from the stage, in order to give those at the back a better view than if the seats were all of the same levels.

A ‘raked stage’ however, is the opposite, with the stage designed to slope up at the back. To allow actors occupying the space at the rear to be seen with equal clarity as those at the front. Raked stages were very popular in the Middle Ages and early modern era. But have since been eclipsed by the raked seating approach instead.

The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA)

The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) at Sussex University

What are the Advantages of Raked Seating?

  • Improved visibility for audience members, especially those sitting at the back
  • Maximised capacity of the space available
  • Increased audience comfort
  • Greater opportunity for interaction between audience and performer

As auditorium seating manufacturers, here at Auditoria Services, we are always looking to provide spectators with the best possible viewing experience. No matter what they are watching. This is why our retractable seating and a large majority of our auditorium chairs are raked.

If you’re looking for stepped seating as an option for your venue. Why not get in touch with the friendly staff here at Auditoria. Contact us or call a member of our technical department to discuss your auditorium and the type of seating you need.

Case Study – Guildford Civic Theatre

guildford civic theatre raked seating

Guildford Civic Theatre

In 2016 the Auditoria team undertook a large scale project to install new raked seating. This was completed Guildford Civic Theatre as part of a £21.5 million regeneration of the concert hall.

Due to the scale of this project, two auditorium seating types were used to accommodate the needs of the theatre. In the lower section of the hall, we installed 352 RS6 retractable seating units in a raked seating format, with the tiering moving away from the stage to give an optimal view for all in the lower tier.

In addition to these, 679 TS6 Premium Theatre Chairs were installed throughout the auditorium. The upper tier of the theatre behind the retractable units accounts for the majority of these units. Also being added in a raked fashion continuing the appearance of the lower tier away from the stage.

TS6 chairs were also installed to the surrounding balconies of the theatre and the front section between the retractable seating and the stage. These are not part of the raked seating but instead, all fixed to the floor in static rows below stage level. You can view a 360-degree virtual tour of the new theatre hall here.

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Comments are closed.

We were delighted with the service provided by Auditoria Services through pre-construction, delivery on site and post completion. The guys on site were very professional, polite and took great pride in their attention to detail to ensure a product of the highest quality with zero defects was delivered. Should we have to deliver another auditorium, you guys will be the first name on the list.

Jamie ShieldsT-Squared Group

Auditoria Services quite simply provides the University of Huddersfield with a first-class service from conception through to completion of the project and beyond. The design team are given the scope of work and offer a design to best meet our requirements, the manufacturing team realise the design and the fitters (often to a tight schedule) install the seating system. These processes are completed professionally to a very high standard whilst maintaining dialogue with the Project Manager at all stages. If there are any post contract issues Auditoria Services respond promptly ensuring that the issues are resolved quickly, efficiently and to our satisfaction with the minimum impact to staff and students.

Andy BamforthHuddersfield University

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