Swansea Grand Theatre

The Grand Theatre is the most well known venue in Swansea, Wales, UK for the performing arts located in the heart of the city. The theatre stages various plays, pantomimes and is the main venue for touring theatrical acts visiting the city of Swansea.

Pantomime

The theatre holds an annual pantomime usually with famous person(s) from around the UK soap opera or TV scene playing one of the main characters. The panto is usually held for a month spanning mid-December to mid-January and is often sold out within weeks of tickets becoming on-sale due to the calibre and performance given. Past stars of Swansea pantomime have included Ryan Davies, Keith Harris, Melinda Messenger, Linda Lusardi, Little and Large, Mark Little, Owen Money and Rob Brydon

Comedy

Some of the best acts on the Comedy Circuit appear in the Depot Studio of Swansea Grand Theatre every last Wednesday of the month. Also, Jongleurs comedy clubs and many UK standup comedians often pay an annual visit to the theatre.

Pavlov Ballet

Pavlov Ballet was founded by Ella Gusova (Director) and Alla Chachina (Artistic Director) and it opened its first British season in September 1998 with the production of Giselle. The story of the company and its name goes back to 1995, when Dmitri Pavlov commissioned Alla Chachina to choreograph his production of The Life of Colour. As well as Giselle, in its first British touring season Pavlov Ballet performed Les Sylph Ides and Paquita (one act ballets) and a variety of pas de deux from famous classical productions. As the funding became a problem the company dancers and productions were passed on to Grand Theatre, Swansea. To start with the company was using the name Swansea's Pavlov Ballet to which D. Pavlov and the founders of Pavlov Ballet have objected, as the plan of the company was to produce new works for the international audience. Thus the name has been changed to Swansea Ballet Russe and the company has been based in Swansea's prestigious Grand Theatre since September 1999. It is a company of young dancers working as an ensemble helped by the famous Messerer family. The company has the ability to perform at venues where classical ballet of the high calibre is rarely seen. Under the Messerer guidance the dancers, all trained at The Kirov Balletor Bolshoi Ballet Academies, demonstrate the style and passion that is the hallmark of The Ballet Russe.

Opera

The Grand theatre is the home venue of opera in the form of the Swansea City Opera.

History

Since 1897, Swansea's Grand Theatre has been providing the public with a broad range of cultural, artistic and general entertainment events. The Grand Theatre was designed by the architect William Hope of Newcastle in 1897. It was built by D. Jenkins and was opened by Madam Adelina Patti - an Opera Diva of her day - under the original proprietors Morell and Mouillot.

The Swansea Corporation leased the building in May 1969 and bought it outright in 1979. The Theatre was then refurbished and updated during the period 1983 - 1987 at a cost of £6.5m. A further £1m was spent for the Arts Wing to open its doors for the first time in 1999.

Over the last twenty years, the fabric of ‘The Grand’ has been improved and enhanced considerably, thanks to the support of the former Swansea Corporation, Swansea City Council and more recently the City and County of Swansea. However, none of the theatre’s unique identity has suffered as a result of this improvement and today’s Grand is as full of charm and atmosphere as was the case when the theatre first opened its doors all those years ago.

The ushers won the 'Best Ushers' award in 2005

External links

* [http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=480 Swansea Grand Theatre]
* [http://www.swanseagirls.co.uk Swansea Girls (coming soon to the grand)]