Did you know that Llanelli once was a centre of entertainment? From the late 1800s to the early part of the 1900s, there were at least six theatres and cinemas! Here’s a quick over view…
Vint’s Electric Palace, originally opened in 1910 as a cine-variety theatre on the corner of Market and Park Eynon, roughly where the old Circles nightclub once stood. It was re-opened in 1923, as The Palace, and wired for sound by Western Electric Sound System in 1930 to show the latest, singing, dancing and talking films.
The Electric Theatre opened in 1912, on Old Castle Road. Part of it collapsed, which forced closure. It was reopened and renamed a number of times, including Whites and the Popular Cinema before a new theatre opened up right next door and it closed in 1930. The site is now a car park at the back of the snooker hall.
The Regal was the new cinema which opened on Old Castle Road, right next to the Popular. It was demolished and the site is now part Ty Elwyn
The Royalty Theatre or, as it was later known, Haggers, and later still, The Astoria, opened its doors in 1892. It was a huge theatre, seating up to 1400. As the town’s most prestigious theatres, it attracted big names such as Charlie Chaplain and music hall superstar Marie Lloyd. It’s site was on the corner of Park Street and Market Street, where Tinopolis now stands – right next to the Ffwrnes!
Llanelly Cinema, which opened around 1911, was wired for sound so it could show the latest talkies in 1930… If you pop in Wetherspoons, you will be in the former picture house!
New Dock Cinema opened in 1913, entertaining audiences with film and variety shows. It was renamed the Astoria (a popular name for theatres) in the 1930s.
The Odeon Cinema, opened by 1938 and designed by architect Harry Weedon, famous for his art deco design, which became a recognisable feature of the Odeon chain. We could not leave this this entertainment centre (a clue here!) off our list as, renamed Theatr Elli, it was an important building to us and was a Theatrau Sir Gâr venue until the Ffwrnes build. A significant, Grade II listed building on Station Road, we hear its new owners are restoring it to its former glory.
Theatrau Sir Gar #carmarthenshire #history #theatre #llanelli
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