It can now be revealed that Pavilion Naftule, a new 1,200sqm pop-up performance space specialising in comedy, has completed its debut season at Lausanne’s Place Bellerive, Switzerland, using a 360-degree L-Acoustics hyperreal immersive audio solution.
Named after the late Pierre Naftule, a respected regional comedy producer, the dismantlable venue attracted nearly 30,000 spectators across 100 performances featuring a diverse programme of comedy and musical productions.
To address the unique challenges of a temporary structure hosting up to 15 performers onstage simultaneously, Pavilion Naftule partnered with L-Acoustics certified provider Hyperson to implement a full-surround L-ISA configuration using the compact yet powerful A Series.
The semi-permanent nature of Pavilion Naftule presented specific technical obstacles that required innovative solutions. The theatre’s dismantlable structure, 6m-high stage, and seasonal operation demanded a system capable of delivering consistent vocal clarity while maintaining spatial accuracy across the tiered 456-seat venue.
The installation features a strategic A Series configuration with three clusters at the centre each composed of two A15 Focus and one A15 Wide for the main sound system, supplemented on each side of the stage by a cluster composed of two A10 Focus and one A10 Wide. Nine X8 loudspeakers provide spatial front-fill. Six KS21 subwoofers provide extended low-frequency performance, while two LA7.16 and three LA4X amplified controllers power the system.
L-Acoustics says that what sets this installation apart is its 360-degree immersive environment: twelve X12 coaxial enclosures surround the room, creating an immersive soundscape for comedy performances, making sure the audience hear every word, no matter where they are seated.
Fabian Schild, co-director at Hyperson SA, said: “Having worked together on multiple productions where L-ISA has proven invaluable, integrating it into Pavilion Naftule was a logical step. Pavilion Naftule’s technical director, having experienced L-ISA’s impact at the Corbak Festival for the past three years, was confident it was the right choice for both sound quality and visual aesthetics.”
As the Pavilion was still under construction during rehearsals, the team leveraged the in-house auditoria for advance planning. “Colin Roquier (Rock Yeah) the lead engineer handled all positioning and tracking from our office ahead of time,” noted Fabian Schild. “We recorded rehearsal footage, played it back in our auditorium, and completed all L-ISA positioning in just two days.”
Pavilion Naftule is already planning its next phase of development, exploring expansion to additional sites across French-speaking Switzerland from 2026, with the L-ISA configuration designed to travel with the structure, bringing spatial audio experiences to new audiences.
Alain Boon, the venue’s technical director (Jocker’s Comedy Club), added: “L-ISA has completely transformed how our audiences engage with performances. For comedy and musical productions, where every detail matters, spatial audio doesn’t just enhance the experience – it deepens the connection between performers and the audience, making every moment more immersive and engaging.”
To read Installation‘s positive review of the L-ISA solution click here:
