The Albert Hall is a period Victorian theatre and community venue in Llandrindod Wells in Powys, Wales. Originally built as a church hall in 1896, it became a theatre in 1922, with the addition of an art-deco foyer. The exterior of the building, foyer and auditorium remain to this day much as they were then.
 Exterior View of The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells | |
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| Full name | The Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells |
|---|---|
| Former names | Albert Hall Theatre Albert Hall |
| Address | Ithon Road Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6AS Wales |
| Location | Llandrindod Wells Powys Wales |
| Coordinates | 52°14′24″N 3°23′01″W / 52.23997°N 3.38351°W |
| Owner | Llandrindod Wells' Community |
| Operator | The Albert Hall Management Committee |
| Type | Church hall (1896 - 1922) Theatre / Concert Hall (1923 - Present) Cinema (1923 - 1929, 2022 - Present) Community Building (1923 - Present) |
| Genre(s) | Theatre, Cinema, Music, Community |
| Seating type | Fixed |
| Capacity | 454 |
| Current use | Theatre, Cinema, Community |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1895 |
| Built | 1896 |
| Opened | 1896 as Church Hall 20 July 1923 as Theatre |
| Renovated | 1922-23 (Conversion from Church Hall to Theatre) 1973 (Major Improvements) 2021 (Major Improvements) |
| Construction cost | £2000 |
| Architect | Owen Morris Roberts |
| Website | |
| thealberthall.co.uk | |
The town bought the theatre as a community space in 1961. It was Grade II listed in 1985.[1] The early history of building and maintaining the Albert Hall was inextricably bound up with the Ithon Road Presbyterian Church, and it is a tribute to the labour of the small membership of the church (approximately 100).
History
edit1890s
editLlandrindod Wells boomed in the late 1800s, when 80,000 to 90,000 visitors came to Llandrindod each year for spa treatment. Many of these people were Welsh speakers and wanted to attend a Welsh church service. The Presbyterian church needed a place to host Welsh language services and social events, within close proximity to the main church. They employed Owen Morris Roberts to draw up the plans for a church hall, and church members started fund-raising. The Albert Hall was completed in 1896 at a total cost of £2,000. It consisted of a large "hall" space with seating for 750 people, a small stage for choirs, and a small balcony with wooden seating.[2]
Edward Jenkins, manager of the Gwalia Hotel in the town and a member of the church, suggested that it be named The Albert Hall, since it was around the corner from the Gwalia Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, just as the Royal Albert Hall in London was around the corner from London's Gwalia Hotel.
1905
editIn the early 1900s, the church members decided it was time to rebuild and extend the adjoining Presbyterian church. During the construction, church services were held in The Albert Hall. As part of the works, part of The Albert Hall’s basement was converted into a church schoolroom, and the original church pulpit was relocated there. The church and schoolroom opened in 1905.
1914
editDuring the First World War, the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) accommodated an impressive contingent of 4,000 men in Llandrindod Wells for their training purposes. The soldiers made good use of the local Hall, organising various events and entertainment to boost morale during their time there. Furthermore, Llandrindod hosted its second annual eisteddfod in March 1915, a cultural festival celebrating music and poetry, at The Albert Hall, showcasing the town's vibrant community spirit even amidst the challenges of wartime. [2]
1922
editFollowing the conclusion of the war, there was a noticeable decline in church attendance, rendering the hall redundant and prompting the committee to explore new avenues for community utility. After deliberation, they concluded that transforming the space into a theatre and cinema would greatly benefit the town. Consequently, in 1922, the Albert Hall underwent a significant transformation, repurposed to serve as both a theatre [2] and cinema. An elegant foyer adorned with intricate Art Nouveau detailing was designed by Owen Morris Roberts & Son, adding a touch of sophistication to the venue. Remarkably, the exterior of the building, as well as the foyer and auditorium, has been preserved and remains largely unchanged to this day. The grand reopening took place on 20th July 1923 at 15:00, during which local residents were graciously invited for tea to witness the exquisite improvements made to the establishment.
References
edit- ^ "Summary Description of a Listed Building". CADW. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "History of the Hall". The Albert Hall. Retrieved 7 July 2024.