Charcoalblue

‘Charcoalblue are the most innovative and forward-thinking theatre designers in the world. Their work on the Perelman Performing Arts Center in NYC has created three brilliantly designed auditoria that can magically transform into over 50 different iterations. They can do anything, from cutting-edge projects to restoring the old, or designing a theatre for a school or an acoustically perfect concert hall. There’s no one better, anywhere. They are talented, fun and exceptionally nice to work with. It’s wonderful to see their work in this book.’ - Maggie Boepple, Founding President PAC/NYC

‘Charcoalblue has been at the centre of my professional life since they started out. I have built, planned or worked in their theatres across the globe, and bemoaned my fate every time I have not. This book is testament to those theatres and to the experience, dedication and skill of the people who designed them. If you’re a theatre maker, a student of theatre or a theatre-goer, Hugh Pearman has captured something special for you from Charcoalblue’s repertoire, of which I am a true fan.’ - Stephen Daldry, CBE, director and producer

‘Having had the pleasure of working with Charcoalblue on the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn, and experienced first-hand their passion, inspiration, dedication and expertise, Hugh Pearman’s analysis of their previously undocumented work, and the pictorial celebration of their team’s impact over the last 20 years is a joy to read.’ - Indhu Rubasingham, MBE, Artistic Director, National Theatre, London

Hugh Pearman was the architecture and design critic for The Sunday Times for 30 years and (overlapping with this) the editor of the RIBA Journal. His previous books include About Architecture (Yale University Press, 2023), Cullinan Studio in the 21st Century (Lund Humphries, 2020), Equilibrium: the work of Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners, Airports: a century of architecture and Contemporary World Architecture. He has contributed to many others including A Gendered Profession (RIBA Publishing, 2016). He writes for many media ranging from Royal Academy magazine and The Spectator to Architectural Record in the United States. He is an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA and in 2019 he was made an MBE for services to architecture. He is currently Chair of the 20th Century Society.