LLYR GRUFFYDD, the Plaid Cymru member of the Senedd has described the £50 million transformation of Theatr Clwyd as ‘astounding’ after a site visit to the arts venue in Mold.
Llyr Gruffydd, who represents the North Wales region in the Senedd said: “The scale of the development is huge. It’s almost a complete re-build of the venue, completely re-modelled with a 21st century audience in mind.
“The existing building was opened in 1976 and it was in dire need of substantial investment to save its future. Plaid Cymru and I fought hard over many years to help secure this investment and coming here to experience the hive of building activity going on is really exciting.”
Although parts of the venue have been closed for quite some time to accommodate the upgrade, the theatre has managed to keep performances going through it all. The main auditorium will re-open in November, in time for the seasonal Panto – this year’s offering being ‘Mother Goose’. The production is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors.
Llyr Gruffydd said: “Cultural venues like this are being lost all over the country due to a lack of funding. Securing the capital investment needed to protect Theatre Clwyd’s future was a significant achievement, and the huge improvement to its facilities will further enhance its status as the jewel in the crown of North-East Wales.”
The overhaul includes a culinary upgrade with Denbigh-born television chef Bryn Williams opening a new restaurant on site after taking over the catering franchise. The arts complex will be able to attract the best acts and plays touring the UK but, more importantly, it will have all the facilities needed to support the production of original productions by the company. This includes set-building and painting workshops, and costume-making spaces with state-of-the-art technologies and much more. It will also have significantly enhanced resources to benefit the local community and interest groups across the region.
In 2016 Theatr Clwyd employed 63 people – with the new investment from the public and private sectors they hope to employ 250 staff by summer 2025.
