Final Encore

by Mark Humphrey  

MARBLE STAIRCASE IN THE ST. JAMES THEATRE, LONDON

The St. James Theatre is the first newly built theatre in central London in thirty years. Designed by Foster Wilson Architect, it features a 312 seat theatre, a 100 seat studio theatre and a brasserie and lobby bar. At the heart of it is a Carrara marble staircase that is also a work of art called Final Encore by the English artist designer Mark Humphrey.” (markhumphrey.co.uk)

The stone was worked by Porcelli Marmi in Pietrasanta, Italy and shipped to London in twenty four sections weighing 23 tons in all, with individual sections weighing up to 2 tons each.

A 2.9 ton capacity UNIC mini crane was used to lift the sections into place in the confined space of the theatre foyer for them to be bolted together.

Final Encore was commissioned by the City of Westminster in line with its policy of having art in public places.

The artist, Mark Humphrey says: “My work is about an expression I call Spatial Objectivism – installations of interactive sculptural objects in spaces for everyday purposes.

The theatre had its opening night on September 18, 2012 featuring the play “Bully Boy” by Sandi Toksvig.

We found 2 videos of the construction and installation:

PART 2 Fabricating in Pietrasanta, Italy

PART 1 Assembly at St. Francis Theater in London