Theatr Clwyd have announced a world renowned team of industry specialists to lead a major redevelopment of the Flintshire arts hub, one of Wales’ major cultural assets and an award-winning centre of excellence. Since it opened 40 years ago it has had little investment in its structure and fabric and now requires urgent redevelopment to safeguard the unique benefits this cultural jewel provides for future generations.
The building redevelopment, which is in the early part of the design and development stage, ahead of further funding decisions, is currently supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Flintshire County Council.
Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director, said: “We are at a critical point in Theatr Clwyd’s history. Our building, a vital resource for Wales, is in need of redevelopment if we are to continue the acclaimed high-quality work both with our communities, on our stages and in our galleries and cinema.
“We are delighted to have attracted a world-class team to guide us through this capital project. Haworth Tompkins are without doubt the foremost theatre architects of our age. Their imagination about what a building can be, and how it can support and facilitate the ever-changing needs of artists and the communities who populate these spaces, will enable us to create a warm and welcoming home that can underpin the core of our business – creativity and community. Supported by the team at Kier, who have direct and recent experience of delivering major theatre projects, and Jack Tilbury who has led iconic cultural redevelopment, with technical expertise provided by Charcoalblue, we have a team that offers us the very best chance of securing the theatre’s future for the next 40 years.”
Theatr Clwyd’s building redevelopment has already attracted the largest ever grant – of £1.012m – from the Arts Council of Wales for this stage of a project, with match funding of £330k from Flintshire County Council.
Kath Davies, Director (Arts Funding Services) of the Arts Council of Wales said: “The Arts Council of Wales’ recently launched Corporate Plan puts an even greater emphasis than before on diversity and equality of opportunity. The Arts Council is glad therefore to be able to support Theatr Clwyd, through this National Lottery derived grant, to undertake work to improve access and boost its provision to the public.”
Haworth Tompkins, winners of the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize and one of Europe’s top architectural studios with expertise in inventive theatre design, will design the building redevelopment.
Kier Group plc, a leading infrastructure services, buildings, developments and housing group, has been appointed to work on the redevelopment of the theatre.
Theatre and acoustic design consultancy Charcoalblue will provide auditorium, seating and technical expertise for the building’s various performance and public spaces.
