Theatr Brycheiniog Press Releases & interviews

A major refurbishment of Theatr Brycheiniog, in Brecon, is to begin on Monday (19 February) thanks to £1.8 million in UK Government Levelling Up funding. The work is being carried out for Powys County Council by SWG Group and is expected to be completed by the autumn. The theatre will remain open throughout this period, with public access restricted in some areas where demolition or construction is taking place.

National Theatre Live’s smash hit production, Dear England, will be screening at Theatr Brycheiniog on Tuesday 13th February, filmed from London’s Prince Edward Theatre after it’s critically acclaimed run.

The Brecknock Society annual Sir John Lloyd Lecture returns to Theatr Brycheiniog on Friday 15th March 2024 exploring the topic and rich history of Brychan. Hosted by Dr Ben Guy, discover what is fact and what is fiction amongst the Brychan legends.

Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings to life multiple characters in Vanya – a revolutionary new version of Chekhov’s comedic and tragic masterpiece, Uncle Vanya, screening at Theatr Brycheiniog on Thursday 22nd February 2024.

Lost the Plot Theatrical bring an OiNK-TASTiC Musical To Theatr Brycheiniog

Maverick Musician, Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas Tour brings a mid winter mix of magical music to Theatre Brycheiniog (Dec 20th) Maverick musician, guitarist and songwriter Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas Concerts have become a family tradition, heralding the start of the festive season. For many, this tour (now in its seventeenth year) captures the true meaning of midwinter.

We are excited to bring you a public performance of Theatr na nÓg’s Butterfly Hunter on Wednesday 29th November. The latest production for schools, in partnership with Theatr Brycheiniog and y Gaer.

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and Black Mountains College are launching a ground-breaking series of events that tackle the pressing issue of climate justice. These monthly events at Theatr Brycheiniog will encompass a range of thought-provoking talks, engaging film screenings, and interactive workshops. 

Pentabus and Thickskin present an intoxicating and mystical new play by award-winning writer Tim Foley in a distinctive physical and cinematic production at Theatr Brycheiniog on Friday 27th October.

Don't miss The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on October 13th, a hilarious take on the classic stories.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am Friday the 22nd of September! Aled Jones is hitting the road for a major UK tour, in which he’ll go Full Circle. Fans can prepare to hear him as they’ve never heard him before, during a series of dates the length and breadth of the UK. We are excited to announce that Aled will be here at Theatr B! on the 12th of April.

Earlier this year Theatr Clwyd announced they are producing a world premiere of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s award-winning comedic play Fleabag, which will be adapted into the Welsh language.

In ‘rockstar’ climber Hazel Findlay’s new show, she’ll walk you through the biggest internal battles she’s faced in her career and how she’s overcome them. Join us at Theatr Brycheiniog on Tuesday 19th September where she will take stories from her most difficult ascents and wild expeditions, to talk about the psychological ‘walls within’ that we all face, such as imposter syndrome, fear of failure, distraction, and motivation.

Staff and volunteers at Brecon’s Theatr Brycheiniog have welcomed Their Majesties The King and Queen on a visit to the town on Thursday 20th July.

Everest / Chomolungma has long captured the imagination of mountaineers and aspiring adventurers as the pinnacle of climbing: simply the highest point on the planet that ‘must be reached’. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first successful summit, Kenton Cool – the 16 x summit non-Sherpa world record-holder – has created a new show to take audiences on a fascinating journey through the history and the highs and lows of summit attempts on one of the world’s most magnificent mountains: from its first ‘discovery’ as part of the Great Indian Trigonometric Survey, through to the perceived ‘bucket list adventure’ that it is considered today.  

Theatr Brycheiniog’s Young Music Promoters Gig Nights return on Friday 9th June and in a School’s Out Celebration on Wednesday 19th July. Featuring house band Northern Ruins and special guests Sorry Stacy, Dactyl Terra and Mari Mathias.

Every year, National Theatre Connections Festival commissions new plays for young people to perform. Theatr Brycheiniog are proud to welcome and bring together creatives, exciting writers, and the theatre makers of tomorrow for what is guaranteed to be an inspiring, energetic, moving, and transformative weekend for all.

The Theatr Wildcats are back and ready to take to the stage once again with their latest production, ‘How To Be Happy.’ Join them on Wednesday 5th of April at 7pm as they explore the true meaning of happiness and contribution.

Theatr Brycheiniog launches search for new Director.

Priscilla Queen of the Disaster is a heart-wrenching, side-splitting, laugh-and-cry-a-minute, one-woman comedy/ drama show. An incredibly honest and frank true story about the realities of parenting, all told by mother and natural storyteller, Susie.

To support our local community and audiences through the cost-of-living crisis, Theatr Brycheiniog will be running several free events this November and December, along with opening public spaces within the building as a safe and warm space to be.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with poaching, theft, and murder on the Margam Estate! If found guilty, he will be sentenced to ‘hang from his neck till he is dead’. It rests upon you the jury to prove this young boy’s guilt or innocence. You will hear evidence, witness enactments, and sit in the heart of proceedings. You will be expected to use your reasoning and decide who is lying and who, if anyone, is telling the truth.

Join us for family friendly phenomenal performances that are guaranteed to make you laugh, sing, think and reminisce. There’s something for people of all ages this season at Theatr B!

Angel is the legendary story of Rehana. In 2014 Kurdish families were fleeing Kobane to avoid the inevitable ISIS onslaught; Rehana stayed to fight and defend her town; as a sniper she allegedly killed more than 100 ISIS fighters. When her story came out, she became an internet sensation and a symbol of resistance against Islamic State and dubbed the ‘Angel of Kobane’. Now, this extraordinary story comes to the stage in Henry Naylor’s award-winning play.

Fifty years ago, this September John Greatorex, the then Drama Advisor for Breconshire created the ground-breaking BRECONSHIRE THEATRE COMPANY (BTC), the first fully professional Theatre In Education (T.I.E) and Community Theatre Company in Wales. He changed the face of professional theatre in Wales for ever and renowned internationally. The work of BTC was free at the point of delivery to schools and community venues throughout the County

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Sherman Theatre are proud to announce that Tylwyth will be returning to the stage this autumn. Tylwyth, by award-winning playwright Daf James, will open at Sherman Theatre before touring to theatres across Wales, including Theatr Brycheiniog.

Join us this Autumn at Theatr B! for dramatic, comedic, adventurous, and musical live screenings, with a variety of delicious meat, cheese, and vegan platters available beforehand!

The musical of Operation Julie is coming to Theatr Brycheiniog. It’s about crime. Our Trustee Dr Nic Groombridge is a criminologist so we asked him for some thoughts.

Over four decades ago, rural west Wales was at the centre of the greatest drugs bust in history. The police investigation, Operation Julie, resulted in dozens of arrests and the discovery of LSD worth £100 million. This summer, a brand-new musical play from Theatr na nÓg and Aberystwyth Arts Centre explores the story from both sides of the drugs divide – the police, and the hippies who settled in Ceredigion hoping to spread their ideals in a changing world.

Christmas Treats from the Nutcracker is a perfect way to enjoy the festive season this year as Brecon Festival Ballet returns to Theatr Brycheiniog after an absence of 2 years due to the pandemic. Back in 2019 the company presented Wales’s first ever full scale production of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, The Nutcracker, which completely sold out all its performances. This year Christmas Treats from the Nutcracker will feature all your favourite excerpts from The Nutcracker, but with a few extra surprises thrown in! Their professional dancers can’t wait to return to the stage to amaze and delight audiences once again. Talented local dance students will also be making an appearance and you’ll see the premiere of Brecon Festival Ballet’s new ballet entitled ”Plea”, which was created during the lockdown of 2020 and is set to the beautiful music of Shostakovich’ Second Piano Concerto.

At The Waters Edge is an exhibition of original prints by Phil Clark which will be at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon throughout November, December and into January 2022.

Sell Out Shows as Audiences Return to Theatre Brycheiniog Theatr Brycheiniog is celebrating finally being able to welcome people back to live performances and is already selling out shows as they open with their highly anticipated and much missed seasonal programme.

Theatr Brycheiniog is pleased to announce that it has once again been successful in securing emergency financial support from the Arts Council of Wales, as part of the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund. Following the news that the Cultural Recovery Fund has been extended to support Wales’ diverse culture sector through the ongoing pandemic, Theatr Brycheiniog are delighted to announce that they are to receive a second round of funding.

This landmark event has been created as part of the Welsh Government’s pilot test event programme. Theatr na nÓg, in partnership with Theatr Brycheiniog will present a family show during Half Term called We Need Bees. Performances will be at 11am on Thursday 3rd June and at 11am & 2pm on Friday 4th June. Bilingual families and welsh learners are especially welcome to the Friday afternoon performance which will be in welsh. Tickets prices start at £18 for two people and the event will be held in the King George V playing field next to the theatre.

Theatr Brycheiniog are poised ready to return and until performances are allowed, are delighted to be reopening the stage and auditorium as a super-socially distanced café. The Cultural Café Installation is a celebration of the wonderful myriad of people who would usually utilise the space at Theatre Brycheiniog. A whole cross section of the community in Brecon make use of the theatre for numerous activities, from Tai chi to Taiko Drumming, Ballet Dancing to Band Practice. While the theatre is in limited use those groups of people cannot be as present as they would like to be in the space. In response to this, artist and theatre designer Harry Pizzey has created an installation which depicts sixty members of the Theatre Brycheiniog community from eighteen different user groups making them present once again in the building. These portraits are displayed in the auditorium in a huge sky-like blue arch as a reminder of the amazing range of activities and people that would normally occupy the theatre and will continue to do so when restrictions are lifted.  

Theatr Brycheiniog serves its community through an outstanding programme of quality professional English and Welsh language productions, and attracts audiences and visitors nationally and internationally, and we are home to the Brecon Baroque Festival and Brecon Festival Ballet. The Gallery exhibits local, national and international artists, with spaces for hire for community and commercial use. The theatre has an additional growing programme of Live Screenings including The Royal Ballet & Royal Opera House Covent Garden and NT Live. Rooted firmly in the community it has served since 1997, the arts centre offers a varied programme of theatre, dance, music and entertainment, in its purpose built 477 seat auditorium and 120-seat studio/rehearsal space.

The Welsh Government has announced a proposed list of events to take place over the forthcoming weeks, working with partners on the delivery of events which will develop processes and guidance that will allow the safe return of events in Wales. If the test events programme proves safe and successful it will hopefully allow larger gatherings back to stadiums, theatres and other venues in Wales later this year. Theatr Brycheiniog especially welcome this news and are excited to be one of the venues chosen to get the pilot events underway as Covid-19 restricMons conMnue to relax in Wales.