NPRN31827
Map ReferenceST17NE
Grid ReferenceST1847176728
Unitary (Local) AuthorityCardiff
Old CountyGlamorgan
CommunityCastle (Cardiff)
Type Of SiteTHEATRE
Period20th Century
DescriptionDesigned by Ernest Runtz and Ford, London architects (eg Gaiety Theatre). The plans were submitted and approved in 1905, and the theatre opened on December 10th, 1906. There was a refurbishment in 1987-89 by the Renton, Howard, Wood & Levin Partnership which included works to the auditorium, and the enlargement of Foyer including a new stair in the bowed corner.
Theatre constructed of red brick with bathstone dressings (the side wings painted). It is on a curved corner block, and is three storeys with polygonal turrets with octagonal cupolas and volutes. There is a balustraded parapet and modillion cornice above the second floor colonnade of paired Ionic columns in antis. Three second and first floor windows have entablatures, and there are three doorways and two flanking windows on the ground floor.
On Greyfriars' Road there are 2 bays, before a lower section with dormers and 15 windows at first floor level. The fire exit doorway has a bracketed pedimented hood. On Park Place there is a three-storey wing in painted brick.
The auditorium has a square-headed and panelled proscenium arch with two bays of tiered boxes to each side, ornamented with giant Ionic pilasters and entablatures. The balcony fronts of the upper boxes are each moulded in the form of a scroll, while there are panelled and balustraded balcony fronts to the lower boxes. There are curved and panelled balcony fronts to the Front Circle and Upper Circle. The auditorium ceiling is divided into two large plaster panels which are ornamented with modillions, and the panel over the larger part of the auditorium has four gilded wreathes and a centre rose. The foyer is circular
(Source; Cadw listing database) S Fielding RCAHMW 07/08/2006