The Helix
Encyclopedia
The Helix is a building on the Dublin City University
campus between Glasnevin
and Whitehall
on Dublin's Northside
, originally planned to be called the Aula Maxima. It was completed in 2002, and it is described as a "performance space" and holds concerts, university conferring ceremonies and national arts shows. The Helix has three areas for live performances:
36.5 million, The Helix is an Arts Centre comprising Concert Hall, Theatre, Studio Theatre, Exhibition Area, Artists in Residence Studios and full support spaces; the building is three storey over basement (undeveloped space). The gross floor area of the building is 11,650m2.
It was designed by architects A & D Wejchert & Partners, with acoustics by Arup Acoustics. The venue prides itself on the range of performing arts that it can stage. The seating layouts in each of the three venues and the ratio of audience to performance can be changed to allow alternative uses.
The Helix has been host to world-class performances ranging from the Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra
, The St. Petersburg Ballet
, International Theatre and World Singers to hit west End Shows. The Helix has been host to many orchestras from around the world, including opera singers such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett
and Bryn Terfel
. Rock musicians Van Morrison
and Lou Reed
have also played the venue.
The Helix has been host to a number of television programmes including “The Dunphy Show
” (TV3
), the comedy TV show “The Panel” (RTÉ), “Rip Off Republic” (RTÉ) and “You're A Star
” (RTÉ). The show Celtic Woman
(PBS) was shot there in September 2004. Daniel O'Donnell
's "Songs of Faith" was shot there in 2003. "The Des Bishop
Work Experience" (2004) was also shot there. It is currently home to the National Chamber Choir of Ireland. The Helix has also hosted RTÉ Radio 1
's leading arts programme, “Rattlebag”.
The Helix was awarded the Opus Building of the Year Award in 2003.
It has been recently reported the The Helix is going through massive financial difficulties
The main auditorium, The Mahony Hall, can seat 1,260 over two floors. The Hall is named after Dr Mahony who is a long time supporter of the arts in Ireland.
The Theatre seats 450 (Raked Stalls 277, Orchestra pit 46, balcony 119, disabled positions 4) and is fully equipped with orchestra pit and fly tower.
The Space studio theatre is designed as a totally flexible venue suitable for experimental theatre and contemporary music. The space can seat 150.
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
campus between Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
and Whitehall
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road in Westminster, in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards Charing Cross at the southern end of Trafalgar Square...
on Dublin's Northside
Northside (Dublin)
The Northside is the area in County Dublin, Ireland bounded to the south by the River Liffey to the east by Dublin Bay, to the north and west by the boundaries of County Dublin.- Introduction :...
, originally planned to be called the Aula Maxima. It was completed in 2002, and it is described as a "performance space" and holds concerts, university conferring ceremonies and national arts shows. The Helix has three areas for live performances:
- The Mahony Hall (1260 seats),
- The Theatre (450 seats), and
- The Space (150 seats).
About
At a cost of €Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
36.5 million, The Helix is an Arts Centre comprising Concert Hall, Theatre, Studio Theatre, Exhibition Area, Artists in Residence Studios and full support spaces; the building is three storey over basement (undeveloped space). The gross floor area of the building is 11,650m2.
It was designed by architects A & D Wejchert & Partners, with acoustics by Arup Acoustics. The venue prides itself on the range of performing arts that it can stage. The seating layouts in each of the three venues and the ratio of audience to performance can be changed to allow alternative uses.
The Helix has been host to world-class performances ranging from the Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra
Russian National Orchestra
The Russian National Orchestra premiered in Moscow in 1990.It was the first Russian orchestra to perform at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican and in Israel....
, The St. Petersburg Ballet
Mariinsky Ballet
The Mariinsky Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in the 18th century and originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies...
, International Theatre and World Singers to hit west End Shows. The Helix has been host to many orchestras from around the world, including opera singers such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett
Lesley Garrett
Lesley Garrett CBE is an English musician, broadcaster and media personality.- Early life :Garrett was born in the town of Thorne near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, into a musical family. She attended Thorne Grammar School, where she performed in school plays and musicals. As she grew up she...
and Bryn Terfel
Bryn Terfel
Bryn Terfel Jones CBE is a Welsh bass-baritone opera and concert singer. Terfel was initially associated with the roles of Mozart, particularly Figaro and Leporello, but has subsequently shifted his attention to heavier roles, especially those by Wagner....
. Rock musicians Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
and Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
have also played the venue.
The Helix has been host to a number of television programmes including “The Dunphy Show
The Dunphy Show
The Dunphy Show is an Irish chat show hosted by Eamon Dunphy that aired for one series on TV3 in 2003. The programme featured guest interviews, audience participation and live music from guest music groups...
” (TV3
TV3 Ireland
TV3 is a free-to-air commercial television network in the Republic of Ireland. Launched on 20 September 1998 it was Ireland's first commercial broadcaster. The channel is owned by TV3 Group a subsidiary of Doughty Hanson & Co.-The TV3 Group:...
), the comedy TV show “The Panel” (RTÉ), “Rip Off Republic” (RTÉ) and “You're A Star
You're A Star
You're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
” (RTÉ). The show Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
(PBS) was shot there in September 2004. Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel O'Donnell (Irish singer)
Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell is an Irish singer, television presenter and philanthropist. O'Donnell came to public attention in 1983 and has since become a household name in Ireland and the UK. He has also had considerable success in the US. He is known for his close relationship with his...
's "Songs of Faith" was shot there in 2003. "The Des Bishop
Des Bishop
Des Bishop is an Irish comedian and was brought up in New York. He is now primarily based in Ireland, after moving to County Wexford in 1990 at the age of 14.-Approach to Comedy:...
Work Experience" (2004) was also shot there. It is currently home to the National Chamber Choir of Ireland. The Helix has also hosted RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
's leading arts programme, “Rattlebag”.
The Helix was awarded the Opus Building of the Year Award in 2003.
It has been recently reported the The Helix is going through massive financial difficulties
Venues
- The Mahony Hall:
- Orchestral concert hall with rear choir stalls.
The main auditorium, The Mahony Hall, can seat 1,260 over two floors. The Hall is named after Dr Mahony who is a long time supporter of the arts in Ireland.
- The Basement:
- Underneath the Mahony Hall, on the right side of the building from the point of view of Collins Avenue, currently undeveloped.
- The Theatre:
- ProsceniumProsceniumA proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...
arch theatre.
- Proscenium
The Theatre seats 450 (Raked Stalls 277, Orchestra pit 46, balcony 119, disabled positions 4) and is fully equipped with orchestra pit and fly tower.
- The Space:
- Black box studioBlack box theaterThe black box theater is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.-History:...
.
- Black box studio
The Space studio theatre is designed as a totally flexible venue suitable for experimental theatre and contemporary music. The space can seat 150.
- The Gallery
- The Gallery, situated on the top floor of The Helix is a dedicated exhibition and visual art gallery which compliments the three auditoria.
- The Blue Room:
- For Thespian use.