Shaftesbury Theatre Fly Tower

An ambitious stage for ambitious productions.

The theatre’s existing timber-framed fly tower - used to suspend props on rigging above the stage - was unable to deal with the technical demands of large-scale productions.

Architects, Bennetts Associates, worked with MJC to devise the 10-metre-tall addition to support weights of up to 35 tonnes, allowing the theatre to be more ambitious with its staging.

The fly tower is clad in strips of weathering steel, giving it a burnt orange colouring that references the facades of neighbouring buildings.

Our Role

MJC was responsible for the structural design of the fly tower’s roof and internal grid system, increasing load capacity and creating a safe, robust platform for the new loft block flying system.

The structure now supports up to 35 tonnes of suspended load, enabling the theatre to accommodate heavier sets, more complex scenery changes, and larger-scale productions.

Key deliverables included:

Structural design and load assessments for the new grid and roof

Coordination with architects and the theatre’s technical team

Detailing for integration with the existing listed building structure

Consideration of vibration, movement and rigging requirements in live performance settings

Balancing Heritage and Performance

The original timber-framed fly tower was no longer suitable for the technical demands of contemporary productions. MJC’s structural design allowed the Shaftesbury Theatre to expand its capabilities without compromising its heritage value.

The tower’s cladding - vertical strips of weathering steel - complements the character of nearby buildings while clearly expressing the theatre’s modernisation.

The Result

The completed fly tower now forms a striking and functional addition to the Shaftesbury Theatre, giving the venue greater flexibility and the capacity to stage larger, more technically ambitious productions. It also introduces new office spaces above the stage, expanding the building’s usable footprint.