The 370-seat AfriForum Teater opened its doors in 2021 in the former Brooklyn Theatre in Menlyn Park, Pretoria, with the aim of providing a platform for performers and something special for the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, the venue made a significant addition to its technical set-up with the installation of a DiGiCo Quantum 225 from DWR Distribution.
Heading the technical operations at the theatre is Pieter-Louis van Twisk, a veteran of the live events industry and recipient of the 2023 Naledi Theatre award for best sound design. His involvement in the world of theatre was almost predetermined by his upbringing – his mother being a producer for theatrical musicals and he having spent time at the sound console, with well-known industry names like Chris Serfontein in his childhood.
Having previously worked as an audio engineer at the Performer Theatre, van Twisk’s familiarity with the space caught AfriForum’s attention, paving the way to his employment at the new venue. AfriForum Teater was established during the coronavirus pandemic with the aim of providing a platform for performers and something special for the community during this challenging time.
He recalls that at the outset, the stage set-up comprised basic lighting fixtures passed down from the Brooklyn Theatre – 22 parcans and two dimmers. However, the aspiration was to transform the venue into a top-tier facility equipped with modern gear. Soon enough, Pieter-Louis was tasked with evaluating the acoustics and upgrading the PA system, a responsibility he approached with meticulous care.
It took nearly a year to thoroughly explore all the available options and raise the necessary funds. During this time, he approached various suppliers, including Darren Durbach from DWR Distribution, who connected him with Kyle Robson from the same company, and boy did he have many questions.
‘Kyle had all the answers,’ he says, saying that the DiGiCo Quantum 225 ticked all the boxes. ‘It’s exactly what I wanted and I’m very happy with the decision. The big win is having the support from DWR knowing I can phone someone at 2am, who will assist me with any issue I may have and getting the right answer.
‘The console has different workflow to what I’m used to, but it brings excitement to a new way of thinking when tackling a mix. It sounds great, and is packed with features that I just haven’t had access to in the past. Having the Dante backbone with the three DiGiCo 168D Dante stage racks really makes the network flexible and easy to use.’
AfriForum’s commitment to Afrikaans culture is evident, even in the signage at the front desk, which translates, ‘We do everything in Afrikaans, even kissing’. There’s an emphasis on culture and language and the theatre prioritises welcoming schools and local community groups to use the space, offering them a chance to learn and work on a professional stage, instead of the school hall or marquee.
‘A great part of the year goes into musicals with four to six large productions per year,’ he says. In between there are smaller music shows and bands. With the added benefit of the DiGiCo Quantum 225, the theatre is available as a fully equipped package. Pieter-Louis
Van Twisk is always available to lend a guiding hand and particularly enjoys sharing his knowledge with schoolgoers and anyone eager to learn. ‘The people are loving it, including having the technical available to them and doing everything the way it is supposed to be done,’ he says. ‘Everybody wins, and that’s fantastic.’
‘I’m impressed with how Pieter-Louis has jumped on the platform and taken the time to understand the workflow with minimal questions,’ says Robson. ‘It makes me feel quite reassured. I believe we set up the console quite effectively from the start. Pieter-Louis asked all the right questions which helped both of us to design a great foundation on the console that everyone would be happy with.’
The Quantum 225 is not just an upgrade to the venue’s audio set-up but a step towards future-proofing the its technical capabilities. Featuring a maximum of 72 input channels with 36 buses and a 12 x 12 matrix, all equipped with full channel processing capabilities, the console expands the accessibility of Quantum technology to a broader user base. Standard features include Mustard Processing channel strips, Spice Rack plug-in style native FPGA processing options, Nodal Processing and True Solo functionality.
