CWalczak, what a fabulous piece you linked there. Thank you so much.
I’ve been to these cinemas a number of times and the place is not always that busy. The place itself is OK and the auditoriums themselves are pretty big.
Very rude and idiotic staff sadly let the place down.
Guys, I would just like to say that all the postings in the last two weeks on here regarding WSS etc have made nothing short of fascinating reading, I wish I could have attended. I will certainly watch out for future screenings. Thanks again.
AGR, I’m sorry but your post reads as a little bit bitter and sad!
Great news!
The Library THeatre Company, one of the countries top theatre company’s is to make the Theatre Royal its new home.
The company will move out of its current home at Manchester Library ad have the Theatre Royal brought up to the standards of a modern producing theatre.
THe building is slowly starting to look in a very sad state.
Plaster work is coming of the main front at pavement level and trees are growing at the higher levels. Also, there are barricades along the side of the building to prevent passersby being hit by falling bricks.
Anyone have any news on the future of this stunning building?
Yet another Swansea building that is surrounded by barricades to save passersby from falling bricks!
The Albert Hall AND the Elysium are both surrounded by barricades.
What is Swansea doing to protect these buildings.
OK, the Elysium is past caring for, but the Albert Hall. especially, is there waiting to be made into what could possibly be a glorious concert hall for Swansea and surrounding area.
John Chilvers went on to become the administrator and artistic director of the Grand Theatre right up until his retirment in the mid 1980’s.
He directed every pantomime at the Grand from the sixties onwards and they were the longst running in the whole of the UK running until mid March every year. He also directed one of the highly respected rep seasons of the time.
Mr Chilvers fought tooth and nail to save the theatre for Swansea. It had already lost its other live house, The Empire.
In the mid 80s his dream was brought to life when the theatre received one of the biggest ever arts grants from Europe and it went onto be developed into one of the most technically advanced houses in the land and still is.
The auditorium was kept 90% intact but all the surroundings were completely demolished and the original auditorium is now encased in a new building. It is far from the best design but at least Swansea still has its Grand Theatre.
Cardiff New Theatre had a much more pleasing refurbishment a few years later but they are unable to extend the theatre in anyway as was The Grand.
Sadly, Swansea council have let it get into a very sad state in the last 10/15 years and it is now in dire need of refurbishment, inside and out
The Comedy Theatre in Panton Street in London’s West End has a pre-cantelevered auditorium that provides some of the worst sightlines from some seats you could ever imagine in a modern theatre.
The Rex Tour is one of the most awful I have ever experienced in all my tour visits around the world. It provides absolutely no access to the theatre itself, not even a stroll thru the lobby area.
You don’t see the auditorium, all you get is a dreadful very cheap Disney like interactive load of rubbish!
A total waste of €10. If my French was any better I would have asked for management and demanded a refund.
Dear Editha,
I have enjoyed beyond belief the contributions you and others have posted here in the last few weeks regarding all the wonderful buildings in South Wales in the Glamorgan area.
Terrific reading!
I posted the threads for the old Swansea main cinemas such as the Plaza, Albert Hall, Castle, Carlton etc (together with photos!) over the last few years and was wondering if you had more detailed info other than what I was able to provide.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Kind regards.
Ian Howells
CWalczak, what a fabulous piece you linked there. Thank you so much.
I’ve been to these cinemas a number of times and the place is not always that busy. The place itself is OK and the auditoriums themselves are pretty big.
Very rude and idiotic staff sadly let the place down.
Wonderful, well said. Thats showbiz!
Expect this building to close in the next 2 or 3 years. New plans for a new entertainment centre have just been passed for opening in July 2012.
Thank you so much.
As Gary pointed out, everything on that post came across as totally negative, I read it as such and so did he.
Gary, where can I find more info on Cinerama, 70MM and road show presentations that took place in London England.
Many thanks
Guys, I would just like to say that all the postings in the last two weeks on here regarding WSS etc have made nothing short of fascinating reading, I wish I could have attended. I will certainly watch out for future screenings. Thanks again.
AGR, I’m sorry but your post reads as a little bit bitter and sad!
Great news!
The Library THeatre Company, one of the countries top theatre company’s is to make the Theatre Royal its new home.
The company will move out of its current home at Manchester Library ad have the Theatre Royal brought up to the standards of a modern producing theatre.
THe building is slowly starting to look in a very sad state.
Plaster work is coming of the main front at pavement level and trees are growing at the higher levels. Also, there are barricades along the side of the building to prevent passersby being hit by falling bricks.
Anyone have any news on the future of this stunning building?
Yet another Swansea building that is surrounded by barricades to save passersby from falling bricks!
The Albert Hall AND the Elysium are both surrounded by barricades.
What is Swansea doing to protect these buildings.
OK, the Elysium is past caring for, but the Albert Hall. especially, is there waiting to be made into what could possibly be a glorious concert hall for Swansea and surrounding area.
John Chilvers went on to become the administrator and artistic director of the Grand Theatre right up until his retirment in the mid 1980’s.
He directed every pantomime at the Grand from the sixties onwards and they were the longst running in the whole of the UK running until mid March every year. He also directed one of the highly respected rep seasons of the time.
Mr Chilvers fought tooth and nail to save the theatre for Swansea. It had already lost its other live house, The Empire.
In the mid 80s his dream was brought to life when the theatre received one of the biggest ever arts grants from Europe and it went onto be developed into one of the most technically advanced houses in the land and still is.
The auditorium was kept 90% intact but all the surroundings were completely demolished and the original auditorium is now encased in a new building. It is far from the best design but at least Swansea still has its Grand Theatre.
Cardiff New Theatre had a much more pleasing refurbishment a few years later but they are unable to extend the theatre in anyway as was The Grand.
Sadly, Swansea council have let it get into a very sad state in the last 10/15 years and it is now in dire need of refurbishment, inside and out
The entire frontage is now covered up.
Whats going on behind?
Is this the end of this Swansea picture house?
The Comedy Theatre in Panton Street in London’s West End has a pre-cantelevered auditorium that provides some of the worst sightlines from some seats you could ever imagine in a modern theatre.
View link
When did it’s name change?
Great looking building.
The Rex Tour is one of the most awful I have ever experienced in all my tour visits around the world. It provides absolutely no access to the theatre itself, not even a stroll thru the lobby area.
You don’t see the auditorium, all you get is a dreadful very cheap Disney like interactive load of rubbish!
A total waste of €10. If my French was any better I would have asked for management and demanded a refund.
Great exciting article from Stockport Express.
View link
Dear Editha,
I have enjoyed beyond belief the contributions you and others have posted here in the last few weeks regarding all the wonderful buildings in South Wales in the Glamorgan area.
Terrific reading!
I posted the threads for the old Swansea main cinemas such as the Plaza, Albert Hall, Castle, Carlton etc (together with photos!) over the last few years and was wondering if you had more detailed info other than what I was able to provide.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Kind regards.
Ian Howells
I’ll pop in next time I’m in town, camera in hand, thanks.
Is the food good enough to go in and see the auditorium?
The Odeon Sketty, in Swansea was originally called The Maxime until Odeon took it over in 1947.
/theaters/20000/
Still standing thankfully as of Oct 2009.
Why place a covenant to prevent future entertainment in the building when the building was built solely for that purpose??
The coliseum was 80% destroyed by an dawn blaze a few weeks ago and it is now expected to be demolished within months.
SAVED!
SAVED!
SAVED!
View link
A really horrible place.