Venue Profile: Universal Hall

13 Oct 2008 in Moray

UNIVERSAL HALL, FINDHORN

Director’s Statement: Peter Vallance

MANY ARTISTS arrive at the Universal Hall, as part of a tour of the Highlands and Islands, expecting a village hall. The most usual word they utter on entering the auditorium is “wow”. An understandable reaction to seeing a pentagon-shaped roof soaring above a beech dance floor surrounded by 300 raked seats.

The Hall was built over a 10 year period by the Findhorn Foundation and visiting volunteers. Local mythology insists that one of these volunteers was Hollywood film star Burt Lancaster, who spent a day working on the building.

The stone work around the building shows exceptional artistry and there are many hidden carvings. Look for the Newgrange-style lightbox which welcomes the mid summer sunset and the face gazing down on the cappucino drinkers from under the eaves.

The Universal Hall is situated within the Findhorn Foundation, which is an eco-village on the shores of the Moray Firth. The Arts have always been an important part of community life and the venue provides an outlet for community artistry as well as hosting visiting professional companies.

The Hall puts on 30 professional concerts a year and is in use nearly every weekend throughout the year. The integral Blue Angel Cafe is open every day for lunch, drinks and cake. It is licensed for evening events when it opens before every show. A popular open mic event is held monthly in the cafe which can now be heard on internet radio.

A number of artists have written music extolling the Hall. Richard Wood, the Cape Breton fiddler, wrote a tune, ‘Flying at Findhorn’, after being mesmerised by the dancers who cavorted to his fiddle. The recent tune ‘The Findhorn Hot Tub’ is pretty much self-explanatory, and it is a place where a few artists have held post-show discussions. Most famously, Mike Scott recorded his Universal Hall album here with the Waterboys.

Peter Vallance, Artistic Director

Peter Vallance faces the questions:

Northings: When was the venue established?

PV: The Universal Hall was designed and built almost entirely by the voluntary labour of Findhorn Foundation Community members over the course of 10 years. It opened in 1977.

Northings: What famous names have taken to the stage?

PV: Donovan, Mike Scott & the Waterboys, Capercaillie, Blazin’ Fiddles, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, National Theatre of Scotland, TAG, 7.84, Eddi Reader.

Northings: What are your big ideas for the future of the venue?

PV: We would like to be able to show first run films on cinema quality digital projection equipment (for which we are just submitting an application to Scottish Screen). We would like retractable seating to increase the flexibility of the venue. We would like to build a bigger dance studio behind the Hall.

Northings: Does the venue have a ghost?

PV: No.

Northings: What was your worst disaster?

PV: We never learn. The Aberdeen International Youth Festival offered us a Chinese dance company this year (2008). Two weeks before the show they cancelled and we were told we would get an African dance company who did not get visas. So we got a Trinidad Steel Band. Who were great – but not what anyone was expecting.

Northings: And what was your biggest triumph?

PV: Donovan only played two concerts in Scotland in 2005. One was at the Universal Hall. The concert sold out in 56 minutes.

Northings: If you could have any artist in the world for a one off special, who would it be and why?

PV: Bob Dylan. Because I am a fan!

Northings: Why should people look forward to visiting your venue?

PV: Outrageously often we are told by visiting artists that their show here was “the best show of our tour!!”, and they always want to know when they can return. People always get up and dance. Most recently the Trinidad Steel Band played ‘Scotland the Brave’ and everyone got up to do the Gay Gordons.

Audience members also find the atmosphere special and keep coming back. Our unique 5-sided auditorium with three-quarters thrust performance area gives both artists and audience a heightened feeling of intimacy, connection and participation. Magic can happen, and frequently does.