Helix celebrates a decade of entertainment

ON MONDAY, October 15, the RTE Concert Orchestra will help The Helix celebrate its 10th anniversary as one of Ireland’s top entertainment venues with a special performance of

‘Music from the Movies’.

This super show will form part of The Helix’s autumn and winter schedule, which promises to be one of the venue’s most exciting and entertaining in its ten year history.

Key performances to look out for over the coming months include all-time Christmas favourites, much-loved fairy-tales and comedy classics.

The Helix was officially opened by President Mary McAleese in October 2002 with an opening performance by RTE Concert Orchestra, making the upcoming anniversary show a fitting celebration.

Over the last decade, the Helix has played host to some of the world’s greatest performers of theatre, music, comedy, dance and art. These include world famous violinist, Nigel Kennedy, Lou Reed of Velvet Underground, Harlem Gospel Choir and Britain’s oldest opera company, Carl Rosa.

The Helix was also home to TV shows including You’re a Star and The Dunphy Show.

Designed by the late Polish-born architect, Andrzei Wejchert, The Helix won the Opus Building of The Year Award in 2003. Mr Wejchert wanted to create a space that was flexible enough to accommodate various forms of entertainment, and that’s exactly what the Helix is.

The Helix has three levels consisting of contrasting glass and granite, with an open void through which light spills from the roof. The 12,000 square metres of the building are organised by a breath-taking foyer, magnificent inclined columns and helical-shaped stairway, as well as housing The Café, Box Office, The Helix Shop, toilets and other amenities.

The Helix has a number of fantastic performance spaces, the most impressive of which is The Mahony Hall. This majestic space has played host to a long list of home grown and international talent as well and it doubles up as an impressive banquet and conferencing facility.

The Space is designed as a flexible area suitable for a variety of uses, including experimental theatre works and contemporary music. Retractable seating on all sides allows for a variety of stage options.

The second largest space in The Helix, The Theatre, is a medium capacity venue, designed on the model of a proscenium arch theatre and is suitable for most types of theatrical productions.

An orchestra pit is incorporated to allow musicals and other events to take place in the theatre while the pit can also be converted into a forestage area that, together with the curved sidewalls of the auditorium, will allow a thrust type stage to be formed.

For small events, The Gallery is a bright, airy and naturally lit space regularly used for workshops and seminars. It has a capacity for 120 delegates, with theatre style seats.

A new addition to the choice of venues at The Helix, The Blue Room can seat up to 100 delegates theatre style. This is an ideal venue for workshops and breakout sessions, dance, and drama classes or evening classes.

The design of the Helix has ensured that the venue remains timeless, making it the premiere venue for key events in the capital.