If you haven’t seen the newly refurbished bar at Theatr Brycheiniog, please do come for a drink before the next show you see, writes Theatr Brycheiniog Director David Wilson.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive responses to the new space. So much so, that regulars have even warned me they might prefer it to the ground floor cafe when that is finished. I’m sure we’ll find a way to make our canal side spaces as good and if visitors still want to sit in the first-floor armchairs, we’ll encourage that too!

It is fantastic to welcome shows and audiences back into the building and it has been really encouraging to see people enjoying a good night out at Theatr Brycheiniog. On so many occasions already this year we have entertained large audiences, for Max Boyce, Mid-Wales Opera, Shane Williams, The Tiger who Came to Tea, Nish Kumar and The Simon and Garfunkel Experience.

I have also been really pleased with the turn out for our theatre work. We saw great receptions for Theatr na nÔg’s Welsh production of Shirley Valentine, the Torch Theatr’s exploration of rugby legend Carwyn and National Theatre Wales/Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s modern tale Petula, plus local community work from Ghostlight with an imaginative cabaret styled Little Shop of Horrors production.

We have also seen completely new visitors under the new banner Baby B! Theatr Brycheiniog’s very own weekly parent and baby group has been very popular. This combined with recent family friendly performances has seen over 1,000 young people attending events with us in a very short time.

If you haven’t visited us recently, please do visit our website or pick up a brochure and take a look, there is something for everyone.

Re-opening has been tough, we are not alone in this, restarting a theatre building, welcoming staff back to work, drafting a brochure at speed and marketing shows to audiences and then welcoming those audiences into the building has been a challenge. A challenge that we have risen to, but as we are understaffed there are times when bar queues, waiting times and the ability to stay open creak under the pressure.

The Theatr Brycheiniog team are working hard to create the capacity to do more, as well as do it better, but this will take time and people. We have, with the new developments, plans for more efficient tills throughout the building, so we can have faster bars with technology that means it is quicker and easier to get an interval drink or ice-cream.

We will do this as fast as we can around the current building works. All these changes are positive, but still depend on having a team to deliver them, and that is where the real challenge currently lies.

We, like nearly every business around, need to recruit more staff, and if you are looking for work, please can I draw your attention to the opportunities we have. It is really exciting working at Theatr B! and we can’t wait to unveil all that’s new here, but we need colleagues working with us to make it happen.

So, if you’ve always fancied working in theatre, being a duty manager on shows, helping us serve audiences or working with us to develop a unique food and drink offer, we’d love to hear from you.

Theatr Brycheiniog have been overwhelmed by the support our loyal friends and audiences have given us. You have all been so patient whilst we make the necessary upgrades to the theatr building, but it is going to take a little while longer. We have done so much but we’re at a critical point, with the summer approaching.

We want to present the best work in the best ways to the best audiences, can you help us? If so, drop us a line…

Telephone: 01874 622 838