Last Saturday (St David’s Day) proved to be memorable day for the team, as the newly restored Redhouse Arts Centre officially opened its doors to the public.
After an extensive restoration which saw the disused Old Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall converted into a modern arts space, HRH Prince Charles headed down on the Friday to meet with the team involved in the project.
We oversaw the entire technical performance facility installation, including a 120 seat theatre, multi-purpose atrium courtyard space, dance studio and recording studio. With Grade II* listed status, restoring the original feature-rich Victorian Building proved to be a challenging task for the team involved in the project.
Subcontracting for Graham Construction on the project and delivered Carr and Angier Theatre Consultant’s design of the new Dowlais theatre, which is housed in the original former courtroom and council chamber.
The new arts complex will additionally become the a home for the College Merthyr Tydfil, with the Creative and Performing Arts department taking residence in the new artistic space. The restoration project began in 2012 and was facilitated by an £8million grant provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, EU Regional development Fund, CADW, Merthyr Tydfil County Council, Miller Argent Ltd and the Welsh Government.
Paul Holt, Managing Director headed down on Friday to meet with HRH Prince Charles in what proved to be a celebratory event for all those who worked on the restoration and the local community.
Speaking about the restoration, Paul said:
“We feel very privileged to have been a part of restoring Merthyr Tydfil Town Hall to become an outstanding performance venue for the community and breathing new life into an old beauty. The technical performance facilities delivered in this local arts centre are on a par with national theatre venues and we look forward to providing continued services to the Redhouse.”
Prince Charles was given a tour around the building, with emphasis placed on both the new installations and the original features. Full of humour, the Prince remarked directly to Paul:
“It all looks very impressive but where have you hidden the cast?”
Neil Brown, from Miller Argent, one of the funding bodies, commented:
“It is absolutely fantastic what has been achieved with the building and the purpose for the future and we are proud to have been associated with the project.”
Echoing Paul’s comments, we are thrilled to have been part of this astonishing restoration and we hope that the South Wales arts community, local students and local residents all take pleasure from the Arts Centre for many years to come. One thing is for sure, no one in Merthyr Tydfil (or at PG Stage!) will ever forget our ‘Royal appointment’!
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