Technical services
Welsh National Opera's technical department has a wide range of responsibilities across the organisation.
Its primary role is the preparation, mounting and maintenance of new and revived productions for the Company's seasons - translating concept and design to the stage. In the process of this it also recruits, schedules and administrates more than 70 staff, including stage crew, electricians, wig and make-up artists, stage managers, office staff, production managers, costume and prop-makers, and drivers. The Technical Office also oversees the work of Cardiff Theatrical Services, WNO’s internationally renowned scenery construction division.
The technical office plays a large role in establishing the logistics of the Company’s touring operation, and is responsible for transport, including our fleet of trucks and trailers, and the transfer of productions overseas for foreign tours. The team is also responsible for the administration, leasing and maintenance of WNO’s properties.
Production hire
Welsh National Opera has a broad repertoire of award-winning productions available for hire, from iconic favourites, such as our beloved adaptation of Madam Butterfly, to bold new productions, like our critically-acclaimed staging of Frank Martin’s Le Vin herbé.
Most WNO sets have been built in-house by Cardiff Theatrical Services, our specialised scenery construction facility, which enjoys a reputation for quality workmanship worldwide.
As a touring opera company, many of WNO’s productions have been adapted to fit both larger and smaller venues. In 2016/2017 alone these productions were performed in venues across the UK, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Australia, Finland and the UAE.
For a full list of current productions available, please contact WNO technical department on 029 2063 5000 or techhire@wno.org.uk
Transport hire
Welsh National Opera can undertake your specialised transport needs with our variable and flexible fleet of vehicles, including minibuses, one-tonne vans, two tractor units and 14 trailers (including megadecks, trailer with tail lift, a climate-controlled orchestral trailer and a facility dressing room trailer). All trailers have tie-off points.
Our drivers specialise in theatrical and scenery movement, and have a wealth of experience providing transport for high-profile events, including festivals, sporting events, and conferences.
In 2017, WNO provided transportation for the UEFA Champions Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Bloodstock Festival, the 2017 General Election, Pride Cymru, the National Eisteddfod and more.
For more information on how we might be able to support your event please contact Jan Michaelis or Emmy Seal on 029 2063 5000 or transport@wno.org.uk
Equipment hire
At Welsh National Opera’s extensive stores, we have a broad selection of expertly constructed and sourced props available for hire. Ranging from period furniture pieces and tablewear, to replica weaponry and hyper-realistic fake food, our stores have something to suit the needs of most theatrical productions, film/tv productions or themed events.
WNO also stock approximately 90 pieces of steel decking.
For more information please contact Jan Michaelis or Emmy Seal on 029 2063 5000 or techhire@wno.org.uk
Productions for sale
Once our award-winning productions have finished their time with us, we aim to find them a home elsewhere. For information on productions currently available for purchase, please contact Jan Michaelis or Emmy Seal on 029 2063 5000 or techhire@wno.org.uk
Cardiff Theatrical Services (CTS)
At our 30,000 sq ft workshop based in Cardiff’s vibrant city centre, CTS was established in 1984 by Welsh National Opera, and over 31 years has gained an international reputation for building scenery with the highest quality production values at competitive prices.
CTS has a passion and proven ability to create truly outstanding scenery; and a client list including many of the UK’s leading theatre, opera, musical, dance and performing arts companies, visitor attractions and exhibitions.
From grand scale theatrical productions through to exhibitions and theming, CTS offers a first class service, working with designers and production managers to create scenery for award-winning productions.
We continue to offer our huge range of skills and traditional service values to companies large and small, and are looking to expand our work in film and TV and large scale theming and installation work.
We are fortunate to be home to a highly skilled and qualified workforce with numerous years of experience, and are able to call upon a vast number of talented freelance and contract craftsmen and women to assist with our creations.
At CTS we relish a creative challenge and have the expertise and knowhow to problem solve and turn your project dreams into production reality.
Why not have a chat? Call us on 029 2063 4680, we’d love to talk about your next project and prove to you what we can achieve.
