HE'S seen the final curtain come down on many an act in more than two decades at the Grand Theatre in Swansea.

Now the stage lights have dimmed on Gary Iles himself as he is retiring as general manager.

He was unsure what was coming next, but Mr Iles admitted he would miss the theatre.

"A few arts projects have been in touch to see if I would be interested, but we'll see," he said.

"I am going to miss working at the Grand Theatre and the team there. It's been a wonderful 21 years, but I feel now is the right time to move on.

"It has been a huge privilege to have programmed and managed the Grand for the past two decades."

Mr Iles, now 57, has spent 35 years in the entertainment business in theatres and concert halls in Northampton, Cardiff, Southampton, Bridgend and Porthcawl.

He brought entertainment acts — big and small — to the Grand, which Mr Iles describes as one of the most respected regional theatres in the UK.

"During that time I have worked with some fantastic teams of people; met, and in some cases become friends with, many very talented actors, musicians, dancers, performers, artistic and creative personnel, and have witnessed some amazing productions and performances," he said.

"I have also got to know, perhaps not by name in all cases, hundreds of our regular patrons, which has been a great experience."

Mr Iles said managing the theatre had been challenging and rewarding.

"I wanted to bring into the theatre more people from all parts of the community," he said. "I wanted to get it even more established on the theatre circuit.

"I think we have achieved that as a team. It has been difficult when we, with a 1,000 seat capacity, are competing with 7,000 seaters in other areas.

"However, I found that the building of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff worked to complement us.

"For example, when Jimmy Carr performed in Cardiff, he also came to the Grand, and we were also able to link in with the Spamalot tour which is now calling here in the spring." Away from the theatre, Mr Iles has been renovating a 17th Century grade two listed building in Overton, Gower, with his wife Mary.

He also has a son, 25-year-old James, who worked as a storyboard artist on the last series of Doctor Who. However, Mr Iles said his son's artistic streak was inherited from his wife.

The Grand Theatre will now be jointly run by assistant general manager Gerald Morris and head of marketing Paul Hopkins, who will take over when Mr Iles retires on August 31.

Mr Iles said: "I should like to thank all of you who have helped make the Grand Theatre the success it has been over the past years.

''I really appreciate your support," he added.

helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk