TheNew Theatre(Welsh:Theatr Newydd) is one of the principal theatres ofCardiff,capital city ofWales.It is located in the city centre on Park Place, close toCathays Park.
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| Address | Park Place Cardiff Wales,UK |
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| Owner | Cardiff Council(Owner, 1969) HQ Theatres (Operator, 2020) Trafalgar Entertainment (Operator, 2021) |
| Designation | Grade II Listed (1975) |
| Capacity | 1,144 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 10 December 1906 |
| Architect | Ernest Runtz and Ford |
| Website | |
| www | |
The theatre has a capacity of 1,144,[1]and hosts a number of touring productions includingmusicals,plays and children's shows and also presents an annualChristmas pantomime.
History
editThe building was designed by the London-based theatre architectsErnest Runtz and Fordand constructed frombrickandBath Stone.It opened to the general public on 10 December 1906.[2][3]It was constructed under order by Robert Redford, who had rented theTheatre Royalfor the previous nine years. At the time of the initial build, the stage was one of the largest in the country, measuring 76 feet (23 m) wide, by 54 feet (16 m) deep and 57 feet (17 m) between the stage itself and the pulley grid hanging above. The first public performance was a performance ofWilliam Shakespeare'sTwelfth Night,conducted by the company ofHerbert Beerbohm Tree.[4]The company had been brought fromHis Majesty's Theatre,London, and repeated the performance at the New Theatre on 13 December, and again for a matinee on 15 December. Also performed during the first week were the playsColonel Newcome,Trilby,The Man Who Wasand a further Shakespeare performance ofHamlet.[5]
Early performances included theCharles KleinplayThe Lion and the Mouseby Walter Maxwell's company,[6]and the return of Tree's company with performances of an adapted version ofCharles Dickens'sThe Mystery of Edwin Droodas a warm up to their season in London.[7]The theatre's first film was shown in 1917 calledThe Birth of a Nation,[8]it was accompanied by a full orchestra.[8]
In the early years of theBBC's radio broadcasts in the late 1920s, performances and concerts were conducted live on air from the New Theatre.[9]This included the third act ofFaustby theCarl Rosa Opera Companyon 17 October 1928.[10]By 1931 the theatre had made plans for regular cinema performances. Structural alterations to accommodate projectors, sound equipment and a large screen were made and for the next four years it was used mainly as a cinema, with the occasional live show.[8]In 1935 the theatre was purchasedPrince Littlerand it returned to full-time live shows again.[8]
The artists that have performed on stage at the New Theatre have includedSarah Bernhardt,Anna Pavlova,Laurel and Hardy,Tom Jones,Tommy Cooper,Tessie O'SheaandShirley Bassey.[8][3]Harold Pinter's playThe Homecominghad its world première here on 26 March 1965.[11]
In 1954Welsh National Operamade the New Theatre its home and principal base, however they have subsequently moved and taken up permanent residence inWales Millennium Centre.[3]By the early 1960s, audiences declined and the theatre was threatened with demolition. After a temporary closure, the theatre was leased by theCardiff City Corporationand re-opened in September 1963.[8]In 1969 the Council purchased the theatre outright.[8]In July 1969, thePrince of Wales' post-investituretour of Wales ended with a concert at the New Theatre.[12]
The theatre closed in 1970 for refurbishment and a new stage was built in 1976.[8]It later went through an extensive refurbishment in 1988 and 1989.[8]In 1993,Sir Anthony Hopkinsunveiled a bronze bust of writerGwyn Thomasin the foyer.[13]In 2006 the theatre was refurbished and the outside was given a facelift.[8]By 2012 the theatre closed three months to install new seating, the installation of a customer lift and the repainting of the auditorium.[8]
The New Theatre has been agrade II listed buildingsince 1975.[14]
Present day
edit
Following the Covid 19 pandemic, the theatre re-opened in September 2021, after the longest closure in its history, with a week-long run ofPriscilla, Queen of the Desert.The Autumn 2021 season included musicals, drama, concerts and comedy, culminating in the 2021-22 pantomimeAladdinstarring Paul Chuckle, Gareth Gates, Gareth Thomas and Mike Doyle which came to an early close on Christmas Eve following a further Covid-related lockdown in Wales. New Theatre re-opened again at the end of January 2022 with the concertA Beautiful Noise,followed by near-capacity performances of musicalsThe Rocky Horror ShowandHairspray.
HQ Theatres / Trafalgar Entertainment
editIn 2020, the New Theatre became part of HQ Theatres on a new 25 year lease from Cardiff Council, with all existing staff transferred to the company and significant new investment planned for the theatre. The group then became part of Trafalgar Entertainment who now manage the venue.[15]
Cardiff Councillor Peter Bradbury stated at the time; "I’m delighted that its future has been secured through this agreement with HQ Theatres and Hospitality, one of the UK’s leading theatre operators. This arrangement will see the theatre operated without subsidy".[16]
References
edit- ^"New Theatre seating plan".New Theatre. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-01-30.Retrieved2010-05-20.
- ^"New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff (31827)".Coflein.RCAHMW.Retrieved30 April2020.
- ^abc"New Theatre history".New Theatre. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-09-30.Retrieved2010-05-21.
- ^"Cardiff's New Theatre".London Daily News.No. 18950. 11 December 1906. p. 12.Retrieved4 April2016– viaBritish Newspaper Archive.
- ^"Local Engagements".Western Daily Press.Vol. 97, no. 15149. 8 December 1906. p. 7.Retrieved4 April2016– viaBritish Newspaper Archive.
- ^"Touring Companies".The Era.11 August 1906. p. 3.Retrieved4 April2016– viaBritish Newspaper Archive.
- ^"The Theatres".The Times.No. 38503. 29 November 1907. p. 10.
- ^abcdefghijk"Entertaining South Wales"(PDF).overthefootlights.co.uk.Retrieved2018-01-27.
- ^"Programmes".The Times.No. 44952. 23 July 1928. p. 21.
- ^""The Grand Cham's Diamond"".The Times.No. 45026. 17 October 1928. p. 21.
- ^Nightingale, Benedict(1965-03-27). "review:The Homecomingat Cardiff ".The Guardian.p. 6.
- ^Major Francis Jones(1 July 1969). "The Prince's Route Through Wales - Hills and the vales ready for welcome".Western Mail[Investiture Souvenir Guide].(Wales). p. 13.
- ^"Rhondda-born writer remembered".AberdareOnline.Retrieved2018-01-27.
- ^"New Theatre".British Listed Buildings.Retrieved2013-03-12.
- ^Hill, Liz (31 March 2021)."Trafalgar Entertainment acquires HQ Theatres".Arts Professional.
- ^Masso, Giverny (October 24, 2019)."HQ Theatres announced as operator for Cardiff's New Theatre".The Stage.Retrieved14 April2020.
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External links
edit- Official website
- "New Theatre Cardiff".HQ Theatres.