Grand (Swansea)

• Theatre ID
  414
• Built / Converted
  1897
• Dates of use
  • 1897: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Singleton Street, Swansea, West Glamorgan, SA1 3QJ, Wales
• Website
  • Grand Theatre, Swansea

Details

The completion of an extensive programme of rebuilding, alterations and additions (1982-87) has meant significant changes to the exterior of the building described in 1982. Everything behind the proscenium has been demolished and a vast new stage and fly-tower built, together with a generous provision of dressing and rehearsal rooms and other facilities. The excellent auditorium has two well-curved balconies and two superimposed bow-fronted boxes on each side, framed by pilasters. The proscenium is flanked by fluted colonettes standing on extremely elongated pedestals. The head of the proscenium reached directly to the ceiling but the latter has been removed and a lighting bridge installed together with a new ceiling of decorative fibrous plaster some three metres higher. There is rich and lively plasterwork on balcony and box fronts and proscenium. The balconies are supported by iron columns with remarkable Art Nouveau capitals. An orchestra pit has been constructed on two lifts so that, when not in use, stalls seats can be brought down to the stage. For performances of opera the pit can be opened to sizes suitable for a Mozart orchestra or a Richard Strauss orchestra of 90. In the latter case there is a loss of 35 stalls seats. From the new stage house two entirely new additions extend along the sides of the theatre (as east and west wings) and it is these which allow ante-rooms to be added to the side boxes of the auditorium. Their façes have pediments broken into by Venetian windows. These forward projections are connected across the original front façe by a rusticated colonnade with a glass conservatory over, the forward extension of the theatre façe resulting in a narrowing of Singleton Street. This major rebuild has created a lively and intimate theatre of great charm. It is the only remaining complete (though altered) theatre by William Hope.

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• Other names
  The Swansea Cinema
• Events
  • 1897 Use: continuing
  • 1897 Design/Construction:
    • William Hope - Architect
  • 1912 Owner/Management: David Allen & Sons Ltd
  • 1947 Owner/Management: Messrs Willis (Cinema & Theatre)
  • 1949 - 1951 Owner/Management: Arts Council
  • 1952 - 1956 Owner/Management: various companies
  • 1956 - 1981 Owner/Management: John Chilvers (dark March-May ’69)
  • 1969 - 1976 Owner/Management: leased by Swansea City Council with Chivers as manager
  • 1976 Owner/Management: Council bought the theatre outright for £100,000
  • 1982 Alteration: extensively rebuilt and altered
    • City Architect - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 2500
  • Current: 1019 Depot Studio: 150
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Pros flat
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 45ft Width SL: 40ft SR: 50ft
  • Proscenium width: 29ft
  • Height to grid: 70ft
  • Inside proscenium: 34ft
• Unreliable anecdotes
  The Alan Jones book is chatty but inaccurate