The operation of Cardiff’s New Theatre is to pass from the Council to HQ Theatres and Hospitality in early 2020.
The venue, a 110-year old Edwardian theatre with a seating capacity of 1,144, will run commercially, without subsidy, and the company has undertaken to invest in the fabric of the building in order to ensure its future.
Until now, the theatre has hosted musical theatre, drama, opera, ballet and one-night events for some 200,000 audience members per year including Wales’ biggest pantomime.
The programme under the new operators will be developed with local cultural, arts and entertainment concerns and will include community and education activities.
HQ Theatres and Hospitality, a subsidiary of Qdos Entertainment Group who will hold the tenancy for 25 years, operates 12 other regional venues including Cliffs Pavilion Southend, Orchard Theatre Dartford, the Lyceum Theatre Crewe and The Churchill Theatre Bromley.
HQ Theatres and Hospitality won the bid to run New Theatre in a competitive selection process. New Theatre staff will transfer to their employment.