Stars to come out for Gwyn Hall's return
THE curtain will finally rise on Neath’s Gwyn Hall next month — nearly six years after it closed.
A spectacular showcase of local talent presented by TV personality and local lass Sarra Elgan will mark the opening night on Thursday, March 8.
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A showcase of local talent presented by TV personality Sarra Elgan will mark the opening night
A programme of events has been lined up for the follow months, including a concert by former Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews.
Melincrythan Amateur Operatic Society will also return to its spiritual home after its enforced absence, with a musical version of The Full Monty.
Council leader Ali Thomas said: “The authority promised to rebuild this much-loved building and it has been a long and complicated road.
“I would like to thank the public for their support as the building work has developed over the last three years.
“We have respected the tradition and history of the building but we have been able to provide a truly modern arts and cultural venue which will inspire generations to come.”
The Gwyn Hall, built in Orchard Street at a cost of £6,000 in the 1880s, was named after Neath dignitary Howell Gwyn, who donated the land. It closed for restoration in 2006, only for disaster to strike the following year when fire broke out just weeks before a £4 million overhaul was due to be completed.
Neath Port Talbot Council then embarked on a £7 million scheme to redevelop it into a regional arts centre.
The new Gwyn Hall incorporates a traditional auditorium theatre, 3D cinema, multipurpose studio as well as a cafe- bistro and interval bar.
People will have the chance to have a look around during open days on Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10.
The Full Monty will then be the first big production there. That will be staged from Monday, March 12, until the following Friday, with Cerys Matthews appearing in April.
Melincrythan Amateur Operatic Society president David Jenkins said: “The Gwyn Hall has been our spiritual home since the 1960s.
“We won’t be able to go in there until February 17 so it is going to be a hectic time for us.
“But it is going to be wonderful to be back.”
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
2 Comments
by Alibeebee
Saturday, March 10 2012, 12:05AM
“I found my 'tour' of the Gwyn Hall extremely sad and depressing. Where is the character? It's all bland and boring with endless white and extremely disorientating corridors with hundreds of doors. Horrible. They took a lovely building, turned it into a 'box made of ticky-tacky' and have tried to fit far too much into it.
There obviously wasn't enough room for a cafe, so they built the glass box on the front to house that little money-making enterprise.
I suspect they were able to 'get away with' this refurb because it has not compromised the structure of the building inside - it's like a modern 'pod' fitted inside the shell. Hub and I went in to have a look, but it was so claustrophobic inside we couldn't wait to get out. It could have been an office block in Birmingham or a care home in Bognor Regis - there was nothing to tie the inside to the outside at all.
We aren't in any hurry to repeat the experience.....”
by Walesforever
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 11:34PM
“I cannot see how the tradition and history of the building has been respected. The whole of the front of the hall has been encased in what can only be described as a large glass box ! Complete with a modern black " marble " entrance.
How this has been allowed, considering CADW has it as listed, needs explaining, ( NPTCBC councillors please state ), along with an explanation on how the said glass box is going to be kept in pristine condition ! Shooting the pigeons is not an option !
Howell Gwyn would I believe, not approve, pity after all these years he can't get his money back !”