New top-class theatre to open (From Free Press Series)

New top-class theatre to open

SOME of the UK's finest theatrical and musical talent has been lined up to play at the Blake Theatre in Monmouth when it opens its doors later this year.

Coups for the theatre, which opens in September, include performances by the esteemed National Orchestra of Wales and virtuoso saxophonist Courtney Pine, while Monmouth School, which helped finance the project will also stage a number of dramas written by its talented, young playwrights.

Programmes for the theatre's winter season have just come back from the printers, while the finishing touches to the Almshouse Street building are being completed ahead of September's opener.

"It's a hugely thrilling line-up," said the theatre's artistic director Rachael Blacklaws. "I'm a huge theatre enthusiast and its enthralling to think we have such a fabulous line-up for our first season. It's an eclectic mix with lots on to satisfy different tastes.

"I'm very, very excited. I just can't wait for the final pieces of the jigsaw to be put in place now. When the theatre is completed, which should be the first week of August, it will be a very, very proud moment for everyone involved.

"This is the first time I have been in-charge of a theatre. It's a wonderful role. I was really excited when the brochures for our first season arrived. We were not convinced it was going to become a reality up until then. For me when the brochures arrived it was almost like the crowning moment. I felt really proud flicking through them."

The idea to open the theatre at Monmouth School's assembly hall only came about last year, but since then work on the Almshouse Street building has pushed along at an eager pace and now the town has a stage capable of competing with Abergavenny's Borough Theatre in attracting world-class performers.

The theatre will seat 550 and will have close links with a number of musical and dramatic companies including the Monmouth-based Merlin Music Society, which over the last 40 years has enthralled the town with hundreds of world-class concerts including a rare performance by Bryn Terfel.

A film club screening international and classic cinema will also be based at the theatre.

BBC Singer of the World finalist Ailish Tynan will open the theatre's autumn/winter programme on September 20 with what promises to be an unforgettable recital.

For information on how to purchase tickets either contact 01600 719401 or log onto www.theblaketheatre.org. See below for a full listing of the theatre's autumn/winter season.