Roundabout

Paines Plough’s Roundabout Theatre is the world’s first fully demountable, modular, pop-up theatre — an innovative, plug-and-play performance space designed to radically enhance access to live theatre across diverse communities. Purpose-built to be rapidly erected in a wide range of locations, Roundabout offers a flexible, high-quality, and immersive environment that challenges conventional ideas of where and how theatre can be experienced.

In collaboration with Paines Plough, the UK’s leading new writing theatre company, we were commissioned to conceive, design, and deliver the Roundabout Theatre. Our role encompassed the complete architectural and structural design, technical engineering, material specification, prototyping, and construction of the touring units. Working closely with Paines Plough, we developed a design that prioritises accessibility, efficiency, portability, and audience engagement, without compromising the aesthetic or technical quality of the theatrical experience.

Roundabout has been in continuous operation since 2014, touring extensively throughout the United Kingdom to urban centres, rural villages, schools, and festivals. It has played a pivotal role in bringing professional theatre to communities who may not otherwise have access to traditional performance venues. As a cornerstone of Paines Plough’s work, Roundabout has enabled local communities to take ownership of the space, programming activities and performances alongside Paines Plough’s commissioned new writing, specifically developed for the Roundabout’s unique format.

The design brief was underpinned by a series of key objectives:

• Rapid Deployment: Roundabout is capable of being erected by a team of six individuals within a single day, without the need for tools, specialist construction skills, or working at height. The design eliminates reliance on external contractors or infrastructure, supporting autonomy and mobility.

• Portability and Efficiency: Every structural and aesthetic component is designed to flat-pack seamlessly into a single articulated truck. The use of lightweight, durable materials ensures that each element can be easily handled by a small team, with no single part requiring more than two people to move.

• Integrated Technical Systems: A fully self-contained lighting, sound, and show-control system is embedded within the structure. This integration provides an exceptional audience experience without the need for additional rigging, cabling, or external technical resources, further enhancing the theatre’s “plug-and-play” functionality.

• Resilience and Longevity: Given the demands of repeated touring, the materials and construction techniques were selected for their durability, weather resistance, and ease of maintenance. The Roundabout has proven its resilience over multiple touring seasons and continues to perform to the highest standard.

• Audience Intimacy and Accessibility: The internal layout of the theatre is circular, promoting intimacy between performers and audience. The acoustics are carefully managed to support unamplified voice where necessary, and the design ensures excellent sightlines from every seat. Accessibility is integral, with step-free access incorporated throughout.

The aesthetic of Roundabout is a direct expression of its function: a simple yet striking environment that foregrounds the performers and enhances the narrative experience. The modular construction allows for subtle variations in configuration to adapt to different sites and audience sizes without diminishing the atmosphere of immediacy and immersion that defines the space.

Beyond its primary function as a theatre, Roundabout has hosted a wide range of events — including concerts, debates, and workshops — demonstrating the versatility and enduring relevance of the design. It remains a benchmark for innovative, mobile cultural architecture, proving that it is possible to combine practical touring requirements with an inspiring and memorable audience experience.

Through Roundabout, we hope to demonstrate how thoughtful design and engineering can overcome the traditional barriers to cultural participation, delivering a structure that empowers communities, supports artistic excellence, and reimagines the relationship between performance space and public engagement.

In 2024, Roundabout celebrated its tenth anniversary, and acclaimed journalist Jude Rodgers was on hand to document the remarkable journey behind its success.

The auditorium is designed to be a democratic space, where the steep audience rake gives great sight-lines and the round format puts the writer at the heart of the space – there are no other distractions and scenery is intentionally kept to a minimum. We wanted it to feel like a room rather than a conventional black box theatre, and the bright colours and contemporary materials were inspired by Paines Plough’s energetic personality and their desire for a friendly and warm welcome for everyone who steps inside. We resisted the pressure to create a “multi-purpose” space and instead chose a specific round form. This has had a deep impact on the work which is made for the space, as writers have chosen to embrace the purity of the form and plays such as Duncan Macmillan’s “Lungs” (which was initially commissioned for Roundabout) can thrive.

Roundabout is a testament to the power of the collective, both in the initial “call to action” of the build and the ongoing life of an evolving performance space.