10 Theatres in Wales

Half the delight of visiting the Savoy is the building itself. Walk through the surprisingly understated entrance and it's like arriving in a timewarp. Inside you'll find red velvet seats, curvaceous plasterwork on the vaulted ceilings, golden ironwork around the ticket booths and ornate chandeliers providing the lighting. The Savoy is right at the heart of the community with an eclectic range of shows on offer. You'll find comedy, movies, drama and live music on the bill.

Find out more about the Savoy Theatre

If you're a fan of Strictly, you'll love the Grand. The striking Art Deco-style white octagonal pavilion has one of the best sprung dance floors in Wales and there are frequent dance performances. Aside from dancing, there are live music and comedy shows. In the basement, there's a more intimate performance space hosting art and dance classes and theatre workshops. Even if you don't come for a show, stop by the café for a coffee and take in vast views across the sparkling Bristol channel.

Find out more about the Grand Pavilion Theatre

Chapter isn't a building. It's a movement. Founded by two Welsh artists in the 1970s on the site of an old school it's a hub for the Welsh capital's thriving creative community. More recently they've added a sleek, multi-functional space which is home to over 30 studios. You'll find dance and theatre groups, film makers, designers and artists in residence so take your pick from film, drama, panel discussions, art installations, craft workshops and more.

Find out more about the Chapter Arts Centre

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A regional performing arts centre for North Wales, Theatr Clwyd is an imposing complex of 1970's- era brick and glass. Inside you'll find two theatres, a cinema and studio spaces offering performances of all sorts. Dance, movies, art displays and live music all feature on the bill, but it's theatre that's the biggest draw. Theatr Clwyd is home to one of Wales' major drama producing theatre companies, staging productions throughout the year.

Find out more about Theatr Clwyd

A vast complex right on the seafront in buzzing Llandudno, Venue Cymru hosts shows of all sorts. It has a large main theatre with seating for 1500 people and an arena which hosts high profile rock and pop acts. Stand up comedy, opera, ballet and a host of creative and dance work shops with a particular focus on kids are all part of the events timetable. If you're looking for something more offbeat there are story circles, a graffiti club and vertical dancing. (You have to see it to believe it!)

Find out more about Venue Cymru

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Just in case you didn't know, Ffwrnes is Welsh for 'Furnace'. Llanelli was once home to a thriving tin plate and steel industry with huge blast furnaces, but the name feels apt for the town's creative hub too. In this crucible of creativity, theatre, opera and dance all take place with room for over 500 people. The historic Zionist chapel next door provides an atmospheric space for workshops and classes, whilst comedy and jazz nights take place in the intimate Stiwdio Stepni. The Ffwrnes is run by Carmarthenshire County Council which also looks after the Lyric in Carmarthen and the Miners’ in Ammanford.

Find out more about The Ffwrnes

Grand is definitely the right adjective. In front is the original old palace of entertainment, a classic domed Victorian theatre with red velvet seats and gilded carved balconies. It's the ideal venue for spell-binding theatre from the in house professional and youth theatre groups. In complete contrast the modernist hulk of the Arts Wing rises behind - a thoroughly modern entertainment space where comedy, live music and more are on offer. In former days, Swansea's Pavlov Ballet was based here. You'll still find excellent ballet performances on the programme.

Find out more about Swansea Grand Theatre

This cosy little venue in friendly Fishguard is located in a former Temperance Hall building. Don't worry though, you can buy a beer or glass of wine in the bar these days! It's a really intimate performance space, seating just 180 people  offering cinema screenings, theatre, jazz and even opera. What makes the place special though is that it's community run. Many staff are volunteers who are really passionate about the arts and cultural life of their town - so much so that when the Theatr was threatened with closure they rallied round to save it.

Find out more about Theatr Gwaun

The Torch is run on a not for profit basis and it's right at the centre of all things cultural in Milford Haven. There's a full performance professional theatre company, so you're guaranteed drama of the highest quality with a minimum. Since its inception in 1977, the company has staged over 200 shows. The main theatre is an atmospheric space with just 300 seats and the acoustics are exceptional. Alongside there's the smaller 102 Studio Theatre, an art gallery and friendly bar and café.

Find out more about Torch Theatre

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Mwldan is a buzzing not for profit arts and cinema venue. If you want to catch a movie you'll have plenty to choose from as there are three screens. But there's far more than cinema on offer. Mwldan puts on an eclectic range of entertainment year-round including music, drama and dance. It's particularly strong for live music with a focus on world and folk music. It even has its own in-house record label called Bendigedig. Of course Bendigedig is Welsh for 'wonderful'. But you knew that didn't you?

Find out more about Theatr Mwldan

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