Latest news with #RoseTheatre
Business News Wales
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Welsh National Theatre Sets Up Home in Swansea
The Welsh National Theatre has set up its first headquarters in Swansea. Founded by Michael Sheen earlier this year, the company's headquarters will be in the city's civic centre. Its first production, Our Town, debuts at Swansea Grand Theatre between 16 and 31 January 2026. The play, which later tours Wales before closing at co-production partner the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames, is directed by Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge with Swansea native Russell T Davies as creative associate. Michael Sheen, artistic director of Welsh National Theatre, said: 'My theatrical journey began on the stage in Swansea as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, so it feels fitting to come full circle to base Welsh National Theatre in the city. Swansea is a place of creativity, resilience and inspiration and I'm excited by the possibilities this presents not just for artists, but for the people of Wales. 'This isn't about just an office space, but a cultural hub which welcomes creatives in, and we're working on plans to make the space come alive with actors, directors, producers and writers before the work meets audiences. In just seven months, a Swansea audience will be the first anywhere in the world to see a Welsh National Theatre production live; the countdown is truly on.' Sharon Gilburd, founding chief executive of Welsh National Theatre, added: 'We see Swansea as an integral part of our future. There's genuine heartfelt passion and commitment from the Swansea Council team to work with us so we can all help to create a thriving and innovative cultural scene — both for today and for generations to come.' After taking to the stage in Swansea in Our Town, Sheen will play Owain Glyndŵr in Gary Owen's epic new play, Owain & Henry, in a Welsh National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre co-production in November 2026. The decision by Welsh National Theatre to set up in the city has been welcomed by Council Leader Rob Stewart, who said: 'This is a proud moment for Swansea. Having Welsh National Theatre based here shows how far we've come as a creative city. The creation of Welsh National Theatre marks a bold step in raising the profile of Welsh storytelling on a global stage — and by choosing Swansea as its home, it strengthens the city's role as a hub for national and international creative talent. 'This brings real opportunities for those working across the performance sector — from actors to musicians, artists and writers to designers, producers and technicians — to be part of something world-class, creating new intellectual property, rooted in Swansea and rooted in Wales. Wales deserves an English language national theatre company — and we're thrilled that, through the vision of its artistic director Michael Sheen, Welsh National Theatre has chosen Swansea as its home. The impact of hosting world-class theatre in Swansea will be transformative. It has the potential to stimulate a new generation of local talent and inspire even more visitors to come to our city.' The announcement follows months of collaboration between Welsh National Theatre and Swansea Council to shape this partnership. Elliott King, the Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, said the theatre's decision reflects years of investment and collaboration that has unveiled key initiatives, such as the Creative Swansea network for professionals and businesses in the creative and cultural industries, and Grand Ambition, which creates theatre with and for local communities. He said: 'From the Swansea Building Society Arena to grassroots music and performance spaces, the many creative people who help make our local culture so vibrant, innovative and diverse also ensure it's the best place for audiences to enjoy. Welsh National Theatre being based in Swansea will help attract even more attention to our creative industries and cultural sector. Working with schools, universities, digital trend-setters and businesses, our ambition for Swansea to make its mark on an international stage has never looked brighter.'
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Plans for historic Edinburgh Rose Theatre to become hotel with rooftop bar
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans have been submitted to transform a former Edinburgh city centre theatre into a hotel with a rooftop bar and cafe. Proposals have been drawn up on behalf of Morningbridge Ltd which would see the Rose Theatre, on Rose Street, turned into a 47-bed aparthotel with a cafe and bar area on the roof. The seven-storey building, including a basement floor and rooftop, is Category B-listed having opened in 1912 as a church. In February 2023 it was put up for sale for £3million. On the basement floor ten rooms are proposed along with staff changing facilities, a laundry and a storage room. The ground floor will serve as the main entrance with a lobby and reception as well as six hotel rooms. The first floor will comprise eight rooms, with a further eight on the second and third. On the fourth, seven rooms are proposed as well as toilet facilities. On the fifth floor, a resident's bar with views of the city centre is proposed, also serving as additional amenity space for guests. Outdoor seating would also be provided as well as toilets. According to the applicant, internal alterations are proposed to convert the building to serviced apartments with a cafe and bar area on the roof. The external appearance of the historic building will remain "predominantly unchanged." A design and access statement adds: "The proposed hotel development at 204 Rose Street aligns with Place Policy 1 of City Plan 2030, which encourages high-quality, mixed-use development within the city centre that enhances its character, vitality, accessibility, and strategic function. "The re-use of this underutilised listed building as a hotel contributes positively to city centre footfall and activity, consistent with the city's wider aim of creating strong, sustainable urban communities." The planning application can be viewed on the council's website here.
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Timothy West died ‘peacefully' at care home after three-month hospital stay
West, who was married to actress Prunella Scales for more than 60 years, starred in TV shows such as comedy drama Brass, sitcom Not Going Out and soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders. His family announced last November that he had died aged 90 with his friends and family around him, some of whom attended a hearing into his death at Westminster Coroner's Court on Thursday by videolink. Sir Ian McKellen, Prunella Scales and Timothy West during a reception for the Rose Theatre (Ian West/PA) Assistant coroner Ellie Oakley said: 'Timothy West had an unwitnessed fall near his home on 11 August 2024 which resulted in a significant traumatic brain injury. 'It is not possible to determine how the fall happened and there is no evidence of others being involved. 'He was treated in hospital for around three months before being discharged to a care home on 5 November 2024 for palliative care. 'Unfortunately he was not well enough to be discharged to his home despite receiving appropriate care in the care home. 'He died on 12 November 2024.' West had been living at Wandsworth Common Care Home in the days leading up to his death. All of us will miss him terribly Timothy West's children The home's general manager, Thomas Holden, said in a statement read out at Thursday's inquest: 'On 12 November his family were with him all day. 'They continued to stay with him in his room during the evening and he passed away peacefully with his family around him at 19:20.' In a statement announcing his death last year, West's children Juliet, Samuel and Joseph said: 'After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old. 'Tim was with friends and family at the end. 'He leaves his wife, Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.' West and Scales, 92, who played Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, appeared in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys between 2014 and 2021, which saw them travelling on narrowboats. Timothy West with wife Prunella Scales (Ian West/PA) The couple married in 1963 and had two sons, Samuel and Joseph. West was also married to actor Jacqueline Boyer from 1956 to 1961, and they had a daughter, Juliet. In Brass the Bradford-born actor played ruthless self-made businessman Bradley Hardacre from 1982 to 1984 before returning for a third series in 1990, while in Not Going Out he played Geoffrey, the father of Lucy Adams, played by Sally Bretton. He appeared as Eric Babbage in seven episodes of Coronation Street in 2013, and in EastEnders he played Stan Carter from 2014 to 2015. His film roles included Commissioner Berthier in The Day Of The Jackal (1973), King Francis in From Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998), and Nazi physician and war criminal Karl Gebhardt in Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973). On stage, he was a regular performer of Shakespeare, playing Lear in 2016 and 2002. In 1984, West was appointed a CBE for his services to drama in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Before acting, West attended the John Lyon School and Bristol Grammar School, and worked as an office furniture salesman and a recording technician before becoming an assistant stage manager at Wimbledon Theatre in 1956.
