Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, Receives £300K Arts Council of Wales Lottery Grant
The much loved Lyric Theatre and Cinema, Carmarthen, which closed for development in April, will benefit from a £300,000 Arts Council of Wales Lottery grant.
The County Council and staff are delighted with the news as without this additional investment, essential work for preparing the theatre’s future when commercial cinema comes to town, could not have gone ahead. Phil Adler, Arts Development Manager for Carmarthen County Council said:
The Lyric redevelopment scheme, costing £1.5m in total, will focus on bringing the backstage facilities in line with the auditorium. It will be of particular importance for the hundreds of performers of all ages in local companies who won’t only have a professional rehearsal space but also greatly improved dressing room areas. It will also make the venue more attractive to visiting acts and performers.
Responding to customer surveys, the auditorium will also be enhanced with improved heating and ventilation.
Of particular importance will be ensuring disability access to all the new areas, the stage and the bar.
The work is also preparing the way for future improvements for when the wider financial situation improves.
The theatre is planned to re-open in late September this year and will continue to show mainstream films until the Apollo Cinema opens in Carmarthen in 2010. The Lyric will keep showing special films thereafter along with an enlarged and more varied live performance programme.
Local firm TRJ of Betws Ammanford have been awarded the construction contract and Lawray Architects of Cardiff and Wrexham were commissioned to design the re-modelled areas. Mott MacDonald will manage the project.
The Lyric Theatre development is part of the Council’s commitment to improving cultural facilities. This has involved the creation of Ammanford Miners Theatre in 2001, the restoration of the Dylan Thomas Boat House in Laugharne in 2003, improvements to Oriel Myrddin Trust Gallery, Carmarthen in 2007 and the re-development of Carmarthenshire Centre for Crafts in St Clears due to reopen in July 2009. In addition the Council has encouraged the development of commercial cinema in Carmarthen and Llanelli and proposals to develop a performing arts centre in Llanelli.
Dr Kath Davies, Head of Arts Funding for Arts Council of Wales, said:
“We are delighted to support the redevelopment of the Lyric Theatre. The venue plays an integral part in the cultural life of Carmarthenshire and we look forward to seeing a revitalised building which can offer first rate facilities for audiences and performers alike”.
For information regarding the Lyric Theatre, please click on: http://www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk/