MILFORD HAVEN’S Torch Theatre will be re-opening its doors again to its patrons on Wednesday 1 September 2021. After a long 18 months, this is much welcomed news for the theatre, its staff, and volunteers, and most importantly its community who have missed the thrills and enjoyment of on-stage and big screen entertainment. 

The Torch will be offering a full programme of Cinema and Live Broadcasts throughout September. As a special thank you to the Pembrokeshire community for their ongoing support and loyalty, all Cinema tickets will be priced at £5 per ticket and Live Broadcasts will be priced at £10 per ticket for all September screenings. 

The Cinema programme includes a feast of recent releases including Disney’s Cruella, Fast and Furious 9, Peter Rabbit 2, The Suicide Squad, Dream Horse and The Father. Later in September, the Torch will be screening Marvel’s Shang Chi, People Just Do Nothing Big In Japan and Free Guy. The Live Broadcast offering includes Andre Rieu’s Together Again and the National Theatre Live’s Follies and Romeo and Juliet.  Socially distanced seating will remain in place throughout September as the theatre gears up to returning to full capacity from October with the return of its Live Theatre programme. 

Executive Director of the Torch Theatre, Benjamin Lloyd, on the re-opening said:  “These past months have been incredibly painful and isolating for so many, and this has been made worse by the loss of communal experience and expression throughout lockdown. Whilst the Torch has carried on our support of community groups, classes, and our youth theatre, online and behind closed doors, nothing is the same without our audiences inhabiting the building and so we are beyond thrilled to announce our public reopening with a trademark rich, varied and inclusive programme from Wednesday 1 September.”

For the reassurance of audiences and staff alike, enhanced Covid policies and procedures will be in place for when the doors re-open. In accordance with Welsh Government guidelines, patrons will be asked to wear a facemask at all times (unless eating or drinking), hand sanitiser stations will be located throughout the building, bookings will be limited to group bubbles with socially distanced seating placed across both auditoria, patrons will be encouraged to book online (Box Office support is available) and use print at home/digital tickets where possible, and, entry times will be staggered across the day so that the theatre can be thoroughly cleaned ahead of the next performance.  

There will also be a few changes to how food and drink is offered from within the Torch. A new kiosk has been built in the Box Office offering a range of sweets and snacks, ice creams, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages. The main bar spaces and Café Torch will remain closed initially but will re-open later in the year as the Torch phases in different parts of its operations coinciding with the lifting of social distance restrictions.  

The much-acclaimed Torch Theatre Company Productions will return to the stage from October starting with Angel, a play inspired by the true story of a female Kurdish freedom fighter who fought against ISIS insurgents in Syria. Also from October, the Torch will welcome two extraordinary exhibitions: One World: An Exhibition from the Penally Camp Artists will feature in the Torch’s Oriel Joanna Field, and, to coincide with the launch of a dedicated website for our artistic engagement project The Pembrokeshire Story, a specially curated exhibition will be held to celebrate the people and places of Pembrokeshire that feature in this innovative project.

For those who have missed their annual festive treat of Pantomime, the Torch can also confirm that Cinderella is scheduled to take place this December with Pembrokeshire’s favourite Dame, Dion Davies, and the much loved Dave Ainsworth so far confirmed to star in the most magical of family Christmas shows. Both Angel and Cinderella will be directed by the Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director, Peter Doran. 

The Torch will also welcome back its local community and creative groups. After a summer of socially distanced Youth Theatre and Joon Dance Workshops, all community groups will be returning to the Torch in person from September, including the Cradle Choir, Mother and Baby Groups and Arts Care disability movement classes. Both the Torch Youth Theatre and the Torch Voices Choir will return later in the Autumn. 

Benjamin Lloyd added:  “We are thrilled to be getting back to what we do best and I want to extend my thanks once again to our staff, volunteer team and to you, our valued patrons, for the backing you have shown the Torch in these past months. The Torch is a precious resource for the Arts in Wales and for our communities alike and whilst we have some tough times ahead as we begin the process of building back brighter, I know that with your continued support, we will continue to create, engage, inspire and entertain for generations to come.”

It is an exciting time ahead for the Torch and most importantly the theatre is ready to welcome you all back once again. Tickets are now on sale for the Torch’s Autumn programme, with more shows to be announced very soon. Tickets are recommended to be purchased in advance from the Torch Theatre’s website www.torchtheatre.co.uk and for extra support with your booking, please call the Box Office on 01646 695267.