Acoustic shell for stage performances

A method of erecting an acoustic shell for stage performances, the shell having repeatable, selected acoustic properties at multiple venues each having a stage and a rigging grid above the stage, the method comprising:

• erecting from multiple parts that are each transportable separately or in groups by land vehicles, a frame defining a concave volume that is curved in two orthogonal planes and has an inner surface for facing forwardly of a stage for a performance on which the shell is it to be erected;
• positioning a plurality of polygonal acoustic panels in the frame and spaced in rows and column along the inner surface, each acoustic panel having an inner acoustically active surface and each being transportable separately or in groups by land vehicles;
• the frame comprising a plurality curved, multi part arches each with a base to be in contact with the stage, and a peak, the bases being spaced along a bottom curve of the concave volume and each column of acoustic panels being disposed between adjacent arches of the frame, and an oculus ring flexibly connected to the peaks of the arches;
• and
• each acoustic panel comprising a plurality of adjacent blocks in rows and columns, each block having a base at a common outer plane and an inner closed end, the length of each block from its base to its inner closed end being different for adjacent blocks so as to diffuse sound striking the acoustically active surface;
• the method including flexibly attaching at least one part of each arch to the oculus, lifting the oculus above the stage with the attached arch part, and thereafter connecting additional arch parts to each arch using temporary fasteners to erect the frame.