OULU CITY THEATRE

Oulu City Theatre is located on the island of Vänmannin saari in the estuary of the Oulu River, close to the commercial centre of the city and just beside the Market Place. There is also a bridge connecting it to another island housing the idyllic artistic community of Pikisaari. Since the theatre is somewhat larger than the island on which it stands, part of it is built out over the water.

Image © Oulun kaupunki

Designed by the architects Marjatta and Martti Jaatinen, the theatre building was completed in 1972. It then underwent thorough renovation in 2002-2004, in the course of which an extension was added that has increased the space available by about a third. Its total floor area is now 13,900 m2 and its volume 71,100 m3.

The building contains three auditoria, with approximate sizes of 440 m2 (seating for 531 persons), 225 m2 (100-214 persons) and 165 m2 (65 persons). There is also a rehearsal room of about 375 m2, in which seating can be arranged for some 100-150 persons.

The technical equipment in the building was fully renewed and modernized in connection with the renovation work, and the large stage now has several lifting devices and a movable horizontally operating curtain. The lighting system enables the desired lighting effects to be produced in any part of the stage whatsoever, and the battery of 46 permanent loudspeakers corresponds to the sound reproduction demands of a fairly large-scale rock concert.

The communications and security systems include telephone lines, computer connections, antennae, general sound reproduction, timers, access control and fire and burglar alarm systems. There is a camera surveillance system both inside and outside the theatre building, and events on the stages in the various auditoria can be relayed throughout the building in real time on closed-circuit TV. The stages all have induction loops for users of hearing aids.

The comprehensive panOulu WLAN network provides for easy wireless Internet and e-mail connections in all parts of the theatre building by means of a laptop computer or communicator.

Lobby and restaurant space amounts to some 1.580 m2, distributed between four floors, with total seating for over 300 people. The main theatre restaurant commands magnificent views over Pikisaari, towards the city and out to sea, and its à la carte menu offers everything from warm sandwiches to a full three or four-course dinner. This restaurant has places for about a hundred guests, and more eating space can be made in the general concourse as required.

The theatre equipment is operated by the building’s own highly skilled technical staff, and the restaurant is in the capable hands of a first-class chef. Other services are also available as required.

Welcome to Oulu City Theatre!

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