UPDATE: At the Chancellor's Spring Budget 2024, Theatr Clwyd was awarded £1.6m for their redevelopment.
Theatr Clwyd is a well-known and successful community facility in Mold which was opened by the Queen in 1976.
It is Wales’ largest producing theatre, hosting world class productions, and serves communities in North Wales and North West England.
Since 2016, the theatre has hosted over two million people. Of course, this number includes international visitors and viewers.
Productions made at Theatr Clwyd have transferred to Sheffield Crucible Theatres, Chichester Festival Theatre, The National Theatre and the West End. They have won an Olivier Award, a UK Theatre Award, and The Stage Award for Best UK Theatre in 2021. One of their stage productions was made into a TV production which aired on BBC and received the second highest ratings for an arts programme in the UK during 2022.
On top of this, the theatre understands the power that the arts can have on peoples lives, and it generates over £11 million in social-economic impact through programmes that support young people and those living with health conditions.
In recent times the theatre building was deemed to be nearing the end of its life, and it is currently undergoing redevelopment work which will cost £49m. The redevelopment will enable it to continue to make and deliver world class productions and be a cultural beacon for the local area.
Those at the theatre have worked incredibly hard over recent years to secure £47 million towards the costs of the redevelopment and, since July, I have been in discussions with the theatre management about the remaining financial support they need.
Even with further value engineering, a minimum of £1.6m is required in additional funding.
I recently hosted a reception on behalf of Theatr Clwyd in the House of Commons to highlight to MPs and Peers the hugely important impact the theatre has on its audiences, and to inform of the current major redevelopment works taking place.
Speaking at the event, Lord Parkinson, Arts Minister, said:
“I’ve been learning about the hugely important impact Theatr Clwyd has in the local communities in Wales, but also for audiences across the border in England as well and what a launchpad it is for so many careers.
“There’s so many brilliant shows that tour around the UK, telling really important stories and new writing, creating jobs, because there are a variety of jobs that go into putting this together. Not just the ones we see on the stage, but all the jobs that are backstage, from building, accountancy to IT, to prop making, to costumes, to so much more. Part of the booming creative industries and the arts we have right across the UK, which the Government is really keen to support; one of the Chancellor’s five priority areas for the economy.
“It has been brilliant to hear today about what Theatr Clwyd is doing to help turbo-charge that.”
On completion of the redeveloped building, annual revenue is expected to increase to £10m, with a minimum of an additional 60 permanent jobs created.
Theatr Clwyd is a fantastic example of the importance of cultural venues in our communities. Its capital project needs a final level of support, and I am advocating for that final level of investment.
Youtube videos:
The redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd, Mold 12/10/23 (youtube.com)
Theatr Clwyd Parliamentary Reception - 21/02/24 - YouTube
