Theatre Gwaun reopens 4U (From Western Telegraph)

Theatre Gwaun reopens 4U

7:25pm Friday 27th May 2011 in Fishguard & Goodwick By Anwen Humfrey

THEATR Gwaun is waiting to raise the curtain on a new lease of life as it prepares to reopen on June 4th.

The Fishguard theatre closed at the end of March, and after nearly a year of negotiations, Pembrokeshire County Council handed over the keys last Monday to Theatr Gwaun Community Trust, a company formed by the Friends of Theatr Gwaun. The new company takes over the theatre, which is being rebranded ‘4U at Theatr Gwaun’, on a three-year lease at a peppercorn rent, and is planning a full programme of films and live events.

Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council has supported the theatre by providing a £3,000 grant, which was presented on Wednesday.

The new company says the name ‘4U’ acknowledges that the theatre must provide the entertainment and interest that the community wants if it is to survive. Spokesman Derek Webb said: “We want to appeal to all sections of the community, and all ages. That doesn’t mean trying to please all the people all the time, it means putting on a series of events, each of which we hope will attract a certain section of the community; music, drama, comedy, film, whatever you want, we hope to have something 4U!”

4U also hopes to attract children with workshops, and entertainment such as puppet shows during school holidays.

There are also plans to open a licensed bar in the evenings and a coffee shop serving snacks, and the foyer areas will provide gallery space for local artists and photographers. The company aims to make the theatre a focal point for the community, and a team of volunteers have already signed up to 4U.