1 February 2012
The newly refurbished Sherman Cymru
building in Cardiff will open to the public for the first time this
Saturday (4th February).
Sherman Cymru closed its doors in February
2010 for a major £6.5m refurbishment that includes a new exterior,
totally redesigned foyer space, public areas and access. There are
also improvements to rehearsal rooms and backstage areas, new
seating for Theatre 1, enhanced electrics and ventilation, and a
dedicated room for new work and new writing.
The project was designed by Capita Symonds’
Jonathan Adams who also designed the iconic Wales Millennium Centre
and WJEC buildings.
Since the closure Sherman Cymru has remained
in touch with its audiences by taking productions to other venues
but will now have the opportunity of staging productions in its
refurbished home.
Director Chris Ricketts said “Jonathan Adams
has cleverly combined areas of new build with older parts of
structure, transforming the building and giving us an inviting
social space offering excellent and accessible facilities. Sherman
Cymru has a special role in Wales to commission and develop work
from the rich pool of Welsh writers and this next step in our
history will be all about producing and presenting great theatre,
telling stories that have a real resonance for the widest possible
audience. Our commitment to both English and Welsh language theatre
and participatory events for young people continues and Sherman
Cymru will be a special place to be for years to come”.
...Jonathan Adams has cleverly combined areas of new build with older parts of structure, transforming the building and giving us an inviting social space offering excellent and accessible facilities...
Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive Arts Council of
Wales said: "Sherman Cymru’s contribution to the cultural life of
Wales is longstanding and well established. We're delighted to have
made this significant investment of funding in the theatre's
future. Sherman Cymru is already one of the country's most
important theatre producers and now it has the quality of
facilities to match. This major redevelopment gives the capital
city of Wales' only producing theatre something of which we can all
be proud."
The ‘Open House Day’ starts at 9.45am on Saturday 4 February.
For further information go to http://www.shermancymru.co.uk/