Savoy Theatre

Collenna Road,
Tonyrefail, CF39 8EL

Unfavorite No one has favorited this theater yet

Related Websites

Savoy Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Functions: Live Theatre

Previous Names: Picture Theatre, New Cinema, Savoy Cinema

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 440144.367.0250

Nearby Theaters

Savoy Theatre

Not too much is known about this cinema. It is located in the Ely Valley mining town of Tonyrefail, just south of Pontypridd. The Picture Theatre opened in 1914 and was located in the centre of the town, in Collenna Road above the Square.

It is listed in the Kinematograph Yearbook 1934 edition as the New Cinema, with a seating capacity of 560. Leased by W.R. Thomas of the Empire Theatre, Llanbradach, and films were booked at the Empire. The proscenium was 18 feet wide.

By 1944 it had been re-named the Savoy Cinema and with seating given as 500, it continued under the management of Mr. Thomas.

By 1947 it was managed by T. Williams who continued to operate it into at least 1954. The Savoy Cinema is still open in 1966, but had gone from cinema listings in 1980. It operated as the independent Savoy Bingo Club until around 2002. The building was purchased by new owners in late-2012, and work began to convert it into a live theatre, which opened 9th April 2015.

The former Picture Theatre is a designated Grade II Listed building.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Johnllon
Johnllon on August 16, 2012 at 1:02 am

This building has been purchased (August 2012) by the people who were running a theatre in Southend -but lost the lease, the theater in Southend on Sea was converted from a cinema. They plan to convert the savoy into a theatre.

savoytheatre
savoytheatre on January 18, 2013 at 4:26 pm

Yes indeed… My partner and I have bought the Savoy Cinema/Bingo Hall. When we moved in, it was still fitted out with the bingo equipment. The interior of the building is in superb condition, but the exterior requires some work. In 2010, planning permission was granted to convert it into eight, two bedroom flats. We have now submitted a planning application for its conversion into a community theatre/performing arts centre, to include a one bedroom flat for us to live in. The auditorium will accommodate approximately 220, with a proscenium stage of 14.2 metres by 8.5 metres. A 40 channel sound system of around 3kw and a 256 channel lighting system with intelligent lighting. In the meantime, we have been given permission to strip out the bingo equipment and certain walls in preparation for the conversion work to start. Work is now well under way, and we hope to open by the end of August. Our website is: http://www.savoytheatre-ton.co.uk

Daniel and Hayley.

whiter
whiter on October 26, 2013 at 3:00 pm

Sorry to be irritating, but Tonyrefail is in the Ely Valley, not the Rhondda. Good luck to the new owners of the Savoy.

TessaDavies
TessaDavies on April 3, 2015 at 5:19 am

Well, after more than two years hard work the Savoy Theatre is finally hosting its first major performance. The Players Theatre Company present “Now That’s What We Call Music” for two nights on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April 2015. The Players are a highly professional touring company with a record of excellent productions.

For voucher tickets contact the theatre on 01443 670250
.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.