New (Cardiff)

• Theatre ID
  66
• Built / Converted
  1906
• Dates of use
  • 1906: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Park Place, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10 3LN, Wales

Details

Rather low key exterior apart from the curved corner entrance façe in red brick and stone, set between the two stuccoed flanks. This has a high level, shallow loggia with coupled Ionic columns, supporting a curved entablature and balustrade, set between short, domed octagonal turrets. The 1988 works replaced the rather tatty main entrance canopy with an architecturally appropriate iron design with lanterns. The major internal structural alteration was the scooping out of the narrow entrance lobby and staircases in the corner rotunda and creating a grand staircase to serve all levels. An alabaster tablet which recorded the opening of the theatre in 1906 by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree seems to have disappeared. As designed, Runtz & Ford’s auditorium was rather cool, with a stretch of blank wall separating the upper balcony front from the proscenium boxes. The 1988 works effected a great improvement in this respect by extending the upper balcony with side slips. The rectangular proscenium has no frame as such, being contained by the two bays of side boxes in two tiers, set between fluted giant Ionic columns rising from tall pedestals, with a straight entablature over. The box fronts themselves (the upper ones iron-balustraded) have an interesting undulating, rather than simply bowed form. Flat ceiling. The ornamental plasterwork is restrained, but the total effect is intimate and pleasing.

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• Events
  • 1906 Use: continuing
  • 1906 Design/Construction:
    • Runtz & Ford - Architect
  • 1970 Alteration: & new stage built; orchestra pit enlarged
    • John Wyckham Associates - Architect
  • 1988 Alteration: major external and internal improvements
    • RHWL - Architect
  • 1906 Owner/Management: Robert Redford, owner and manager
  • 1947 Owner/Management: by Stoll Theatres Corporation Ltd
  • 1964 - 1966 Owner/Management: Mecca Ltd
  • 1969 Owner/Management: Cardiff City Council
• Capacities
  • Later: 1912: 2000 1947: ‘elastic’ 1970: 1200
  • Current: 1159
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium rake 1:24
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 11.8m (38ft) Width SL: 11.66m SR: 10.44m
  • Proscenium width: 9.14m (30ft)
  • Height to grid: 16.15m (53ft)
  • Orchestra pit: Flexible - 3 sizes: small, medium (3 rows A-C), L