History of Theatr Colwyn
The Public Hall
Theatr Colwyn first opened its doors as a Public Hall in the 1880’s
and the inscription in the red brickwork at the very top of the theatre
still bears witness to its original function. The Public Hall was a venue
for all kinds of political, social and religious meetings, ensuring that
from its very outset the building had a prominent and important place
in the community of Colwyn Bay. The building’s first use was as
a meeting place for the congregation of St. Paul’s after their iron
church burnt down. Another important function in subsequent years was
as the drill hall for the recently created Territorial Army in 1908.
The Rialto
In 1897 The Public Hall was host to Colwyn Bay’s first cinematic
show and was renamed the Rialto. The Rialto regularly hosted moving picture
shows as well as performances by a group of Pierrots. Up until 1900, when
the Pier opened, the Rialto was the only permanent entertainment venue
in Colwyn Bay. The success of the Rialto was punctuated only by a devastating
fire in 1930 and the theatre had to be closed. Following extensive repairs
it was reopened and renamed the New Rialto.
The New Rialto
In 1936 Mr Stanley Ravenscroft brought his company of repertory actors
to the New Rialto. The intention was that the company would host a nine-week
season, however they were such a success that the company were asked to
stay. Following the overwhelming success of the repertory company the
New Rialto included “live” theatrical performances in their
schedule for the next 22 years.
Stanley Ravenscroft’s repertory company played an extremely important role in the community of Colwyn Bay, both as entertainers and as volunteers during the war years. In his “Social History” of Colwyn Bay, Geoffrey Edwards documents the support the repertory players provided to the evacuated children of Liverpool. The first evacuees arrived on the 1st and 2nd of September 1939, during which over 1000 homeless and frightened children were taken to the promenade and the Pier Pavilion. It was here that the repertory company, along with other members of the community, provided them with food and comfort.
Public attitude towards the repertory company was waning however and audiences became fewer and fewer. From 1951 the repertory company ceased performing during the winter and by 1955 their only performances were throughout the summer season. In 1958 Stanley Ravenscroft felt it was time to retire and the future of the New Rialto was uncertain.
The Prince of Wales Theatre
It was in January of 1959 that the lasting relationship between the Borough
Council and the theatre began. The Council demonstrated its support for
and faith in the theatre by buying the building. It was renovated before
being reopened finally on the 11th of June 1959 under the name “The
Prince of Wales Theatre”. This change in direction and title seemed
to provide the theatre with a new lease of life and under the management
of Mr Geoffrey Hastings the theatre became owner of its own repertory
company. In a mere 18 weeks 35,000 people sat as audience members for
weekly theatrical productions. The Prince of Wales Theatre’s repertory
company became extremely popular and successful. Indeed the company was
responsible for launching the careers of many actors who later became
well known figures in theatrical society.
And finally Theatr Colwyn
The Prince of Wales Theatre was renovated once again by the Borough Council
in 1971. On this occasion, the auditorium seating was replaced and the
central aisle was removed, increasing the capacity of the theatre to 443.
For the next 30 years no major work took place on the building although
the foyer and the box office were redesigned according to taste and convenience
and a disabled access lift was purchased and installed. The major renovation
that took place during this period of time was in the renaming of the
theatre once again. In May 1991, The Prince of Wales Theatre became Theatr
Colwyn, reasserting the ownership of the theatre by the people and community
of Colwyn Bay. Indeed, this title invites association with the first name
given to the building and the Public Hall motif that remains on its brickwork.
Further renovations and improvements were made during August and September
2000 and Theatr Colwyn closed in order to replace the auditorium roof
which was leaking badly. At the same time state of the art cinema projection
equipment was installed, improving the facilities offered by the theatre
and increasing its appeal to a new audience. Three rows of seating were
removed from the back of the theatre in order to accommodate improvements
to the existing lighting box which was subsequently adapted into a lighting,
sound and projection room. As a result the seating capacity was decreased
from 443 to 386. A confectionary kiosk was also built opposite the box
office in order to cater for the needs of the audience. More recently,
new seats and a carpet were fitted in February 2004 along with a Victorian-style
canopy.
Theatr Colwyn – Still At The Heart Of The Community
As you can see, Theatr Colwyn is a building of many different personalities,
characters and faces. The ever changing nature of the building in itself
reflects the changing attitudes of society towards popular entertainment;
from the meeting place of political, social and religious groups, to a
cinema and a theatre. One thing has remained the same throughout the history
of the theatre and the building always has been and will remain to be
a venue for the people of Colwyn Bay. Indeed, the theatre is as essential
to community life as the promenade, the train station or Eirias Park.
One thing is for sure, local sentiment, support for and commitment to
Theatr Colwyn is as strong as it was in 1880.
written by Lucy Stevenson
former Drama Association of Wales Development Officer
based at Theatr Colwyn
Information for this article has been gathered from a number of sources:
Walks from Colwyn Bay, by Christopher Draper; The Borough of Colwyn Bay:
A Social History 1934 – 1974, by Geoffrey Edwards; The Spirit of
Colwyn Bay: 2: The 20th Century in Photographs, by Eunice Roberts and
Helen Morley; archived press cuttings on Theatr Colwyn kept in the Colwyn
Bay Library reference section and information on the Theatr Colwyn website.