Llewellyn Hall

Can be hired by: Public

Overview
History
Facilities

Overview

Named after the School of Music's founding Director, Ernest Llewellyn, Llewellyn Hall is Canberra's premier concert hall and is one of the finest acoustic venues in Australia. It has a seating capacity of 1335; 960 in the stalls and 375 in the gallery. Professional audio & lighting is provided.

Hire Llewellyn Hall

Mailing address

Llewellyn Hall ANU
Centralised Venues
Level 4
School of Music
100 William Herbert Place
The Australian National University
ACTON ACT 2601

Tickets

To book tickets for major Llewellyn Hall events visit Ticketek call 1300 795 012.

History

Opened in September 1976, by the then Governor General Sir John Kerr, the School of Music building is a grand architectural statement in the 'Brutalist' style. The building was designed for the National Capital Development Commission in 1970 by architects Daryl Jackson and Evan Walker from the firm Jackson Walker; Daryl Jackson would go on to build an international reputation and company, with offices in several Australian capital cities and also in London. The site had been the oval for the old Canberra High School and was chosen for its ability to link The Australian National University campus with the Canberra city centre.

Internationally distinguished Australian violinist Ernest Llewellyn had been director of Canberra's School of Music since 1965 when the school had been established and housed in temporary accommodation at Manuka. In the early 1970s when Ernest Llewellyn was given the approval to proceed with his plans for a new centre of musical learning in Canberra, he envisioned a school of music that would not only be a centre of creativity and performance but also be the home of a world-class concert venue. Ernest Llewellyn had insisted from the outset that the building should be located on a site that was both central to The Australian National University and the city centre, easily accessible for both students and patrons.

Llewellyn Hall underwent a $10 million transformation during 2008 which included honey coloured wood panelling, warm floor boards and a graceful curve of red seating. The hall's appearance is magnificent but at the core of the renovation was the directive to achieve the best acoustics possible. The stalls and stage area was completely remodelled to achieve this goal. Much greater intimacy has been achieved between musician and patron by moving the stalls seating closer to the stage and the seating rake has been optimised for sound and sightlines. Altogether, 1800 square metres of Ironbark flooring were used, together with 5 cubic metres of Spotted Gum for stair nosing's and trims. In addition, nearly 15 cubic metres of European Beech needed to be profiled for the acoustic fins on the walls.

The School of Music building is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL).

Facilities

ANU has three of the best acoustic venues in Australia. Llewelyn Hall, Big Band room & Larry Sitsky Recital room can cater to events ranging from orchestras and concerts to seminars and rehearsals. Professional sound, lighting, and production support services are provided.

Food

The building boasts an exceptional café and local brewing legend The Wig and Pen. Please note that no food or drink is permitted inside Llewellyn Hall.

Parking

There are four carparks off Childers Street, each of which has disabled parking and are within one minute's walk of the venue; these are all free access after 5pm. There is also the multi-story Baldessin Parking Station which can be approached from Childers Street and has free access after 5.30pm. Limited street parking is also available.

There are 'pay and display' car parks opposite and adjacent (next to Peter Karmel Building) to the School of Music. The City-West multiplex car park off Marcus Clarke Street and cark park off Childers Street next to The Street Theatre are alternate paid parking areas.

See map.

Disabled parking and disabled access

There are a total of 12 disabled parking spaces in the areas mentioned above; two in the car park opposite, five in the car park adjacent, three in front of the School and two in the car park behind the School of Art.

Llewellyn Hall accommodates for disabled access on both the ground level and level 4. If you have parked out the front of the School or in the car parks opposite and adjacent, enter through the automatic glass doors. If you have parked behind the Art School please use the foot bridge and enter through the glass doors that lead in to the foyer outside Door 1 and Door 2 of Llewellyn Hall. The elevator can be found next to the stairs on each level.

Llewellyn Hall has four wheelchair spaces; two at the front, either side of row B and two at the rear, either side of row W. For Wheelchair bookings please phone the Ticketek ACT Head Office on (02) 6208 0191. The disabled toilet is located on level 4 which can be accessed via the lift.

FM radio assisted hearing units

Llewellyn Hall provides an FM Radio Assisted Hearing Units for patrons who require hearing assistance. The FM system amplifies and improves sound quality through the users hearing aid. Discreet receivers are available for collection prior to the performance from the front of house staff. The FM Hearing Unit is available for all performances and to access this service you can request in advance or request at the show, however, you should allow additional time prior to the start of the performance for the collection of the receiver.

Prams and walking frames

Due to fire regulations, prams may not be taken into the hall. Prams can be left with the Door staff. For the same reason, walking frames must also be removed from the isles once you have taken your seat. An Usher will take and store the frame for your and return it to you, both at interval and the conclusion of the performance.

Amenities

Bathrooms are situated on the ground floor (level 2) outside Door 6, on level 4 near Door 1 and on level 5 near Door 3. There is a disabled toilet on level 4, which can be accessed from the lift. In the Peter Karmel building, toilet facilities can be found on the ground level near the entrance facing Childers Street.

Lost property

If you have lost an item during your visit please contact the Venues staff on 6125 2527.

Photography

Photography or filming is prohibited in all venues unless specified by the Promoter.

Cloaking

In the interests of safety and patron comfort patrons are encouraged to make use of the complimentary cloaking service available in the Cloak Room. Open up to an hour prior to each performance, patrons are encouraged to cloak such items as bulky coats, umbrellas and large bags. Should front of house staff notice an item that may be of concern inside the venue they may instruct you to utilise this service.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all venues at the Australian National University.

Public transport

ACTION Buses - T 131 710

Canberra Cabs - T 132 227, SMS Name, Pickup Address and time required: 0417 672 773

Accommodation

There are a range of hotels located near Llewellyn Hall all covering a variety of prices ranges and styles. To find out more about local accommodation options visit the Visit Canberra website.

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