Date set for Lyric Theatre opening
It's curtains up on November 5 on a new era for one of Carmarthen’s treasured community assets.
The Lyric Theatre has stood on King Street since 1854 when it began life as The Public Rooms.
It was then the home of Carmarthen Literary and Scientific Institute, the town’s museum as well as providing the town with a venue for various musical concerts, readings and productions including the very first performances of Carmarthen Amateur Operatic Society.
The Lyric first opened its doors to early cinema audiences with the introduction of Bioscope picture shows in 1906 and by 1918 under ambitious new proprietor Thomas Barger. The assembly rooms were revamped into a high class cinema and concert hall.
Changing hands in 1930, The Lyric began a series of refurbishments
over the following years setting in helping to create the present theatre with upgraded sound, electrical equipment and an extraction system, together with the sumptuous art deco-style décor which has been rescued and preserved in recent renovations.
During the war years, the Lyric provided an important boost to morale when it continued hold concerts as well as screen movies and special newsreels to audiences including American, French and Belgian troops posted in the town.
The boom in video popularity had a down side leading to The Lyric closing its doors in 1980 for several years.
In early 1987, with a team of volunteers to handle the re-wiring and repairs, Carmarthen Youth Opera’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar resurrected the theatre and with a projectionist on board and as a consequence of this the cinema bounced back.
The Lyric Theatre Trust (Carmarthen) Ltd, was granted lease of the building and through fundraising events, grants and the dedication of the Carmarthen Youth Opera and associates, a decade of refurbishment works brought about a working theatre.
It had backstage facilities, a green room and workshop, a flytower and new lighting equipment, repairs to seating and the construction of a new stage, proscenium, orchestra pit and dress circle.
Carmarthenshire Council took over the running of The Lyric in 2004 enabling the theatre to continue its unique role at the heart of the community and it had greater impact with more modern productions.
It provided Carmarthenshire audiences with top cinema releases cutting edge comedy, the very best live theatre, music and dance productions together with presenting a platform for touring companies and local talent.
From next month Lyric will have a new role now offers a high standard experience for both audiences and performers alike, with improvement in all areas of the building including enhancements to the backstage and improved auditorium.
The Lyric box office is now open for a variety of up-coming productions, including Scottish singing sensation Caledon, on November 6th and Sound Affairs’ Salome, who present a stunning combination of the surrealist 1923 silent film set to a new – and live - musical composition, November 7. Audiences can also receive a guided tour of The Lyric’s latest improvements, which feature an ‘access all areas’ peek at the otherwise secret backstage area, between 12 and 4pm, 4 November.
Tour reservations can be made by contacting the box office: 0845 226 3510.
Earlier posts -
http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/welsh-boost-at-lyric-theatre.html
http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/carmarthens-lyric-to-reopen.html
The Lyric Theatre has stood on King Street since 1854 when it began life as The Public Rooms.
It was then the home of Carmarthen Literary and Scientific Institute, the town’s museum as well as providing the town with a venue for various musical concerts, readings and productions including the very first performances of Carmarthen Amateur Operatic Society.
The Lyric first opened its doors to early cinema audiences with the introduction of Bioscope picture shows in 1906 and by 1918 under ambitious new proprietor Thomas Barger. The assembly rooms were revamped into a high class cinema and concert hall.
Changing hands in 1930, The Lyric began a series of refurbishments
over the following years setting in helping to create the present theatre with upgraded sound, electrical equipment and an extraction system, together with the sumptuous art deco-style décor which has been rescued and preserved in recent renovations.
During the war years, the Lyric provided an important boost to morale when it continued hold concerts as well as screen movies and special newsreels to audiences including American, French and Belgian troops posted in the town.
The boom in video popularity had a down side leading to The Lyric closing its doors in 1980 for several years.
In early 1987, with a team of volunteers to handle the re-wiring and repairs, Carmarthen Youth Opera’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar resurrected the theatre and with a projectionist on board and as a consequence of this the cinema bounced back.
The Lyric Theatre Trust (Carmarthen) Ltd, was granted lease of the building and through fundraising events, grants and the dedication of the Carmarthen Youth Opera and associates, a decade of refurbishment works brought about a working theatre.
It had backstage facilities, a green room and workshop, a flytower and new lighting equipment, repairs to seating and the construction of a new stage, proscenium, orchestra pit and dress circle.
Carmarthenshire Council took over the running of The Lyric in 2004 enabling the theatre to continue its unique role at the heart of the community and it had greater impact with more modern productions.
It provided Carmarthenshire audiences with top cinema releases cutting edge comedy, the very best live theatre, music and dance productions together with presenting a platform for touring companies and local talent.
From next month Lyric will have a new role now offers a high standard experience for both audiences and performers alike, with improvement in all areas of the building including enhancements to the backstage and improved auditorium.
The Lyric box office is now open for a variety of up-coming productions, including Scottish singing sensation Caledon, on November 6th and Sound Affairs’ Salome, who present a stunning combination of the surrealist 1923 silent film set to a new – and live - musical composition, November 7. Audiences can also receive a guided tour of The Lyric’s latest improvements, which feature an ‘access all areas’ peek at the otherwise secret backstage area, between 12 and 4pm, 4 November.
Tour reservations can be made by contacting the box office: 0845 226 3510.
Earlier posts -
http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/welsh-boost-at-lyric-theatre.html
http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/carmarthens-lyric-to-reopen.html
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