History

1899-1901. By G A Humphreys, architect to Bute Estate, with Edwin Sachs as consultants. The building is currently in use as nightclub, and conversion involved cladding of lower parts of auditorium in plasterboard and the insertion of a suspended ceiling. The upper parts of the auditorium are visible above the ceiling, and the lower parts believed to be unaltered behind the plasterboard.

Exterior

Fire proof concrete and steel frame construction with front elevation of red brick. Wide centre gable with scolls flanked by semi-octagonal towers with parapets and narrow angle pilasters (no domes). Tympanum of gable and first floor divided into rectangular panels by framework of cement rendered ribs. Two windows of four narrow segmental headed sash lights on first floor. Ground floor of painted brick; five doorways and narrow windows. Verandah of cast-iron, formerly with glazed roof; veranda with fluted columns, capital and spandrils.

Interior

Ornate Baroque auditorium with fine fibrous plaster work, musical trophies and arabesque detailing; lower parts obscured by plasterboard cladding. Square-headed proscenium arch with panelled reveals, the panels decorated with gilded musical instruments in relief. Two cantilevered tiers and two bays of balconies. Horseshoe shaped gallery with bowed balcony front and panelled soffit. Ceiling with large intricately worked circular panel set within rectangular frame, painted sky with birds. Prince of Wales head relief, sunset rose etc.

Reasons for Listing

Graded II* for the high quality of interior, despite conversion; believed to be amongst finest Edwardian theatre interiors in Wales.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q17722698

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability