A VOLUNTEER-RUN community cinema in Torfaen will start screening live opera and ballet shows next month.

Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall Cinema will be screening live shows as part of the Royal Opera House’s 2017 and 2018 season.

Six productions from The Royal Opera and six from The Royal Ballet will be screened to cinemas around the world, including Blaenavon.

Viewers can see operas such as Carman and Rigoletto and ballets including the Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

The first screening that will be shown at the cinema will be the Italian opera La Bohème on Tuesday, October 3, where selected performances will be screened live from Covent Garden.

The performance of Puccini’s passionate opera will be conducted by Antonio Pappano and a cast including Nicole Car, Michael Fabiano and Mariusz Kwiecie?, in a new production by Richard Jones.

Cllr Alan Jones, executive member with responsibility for leisure and culture and one of the Blaenavon ward members, said: “The volunteers at the Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall Cinema have secured a fantastic opportunity to bring live opera and ballet to the town.

“Not only will opera and ballet fans be able to see the very best performances as they happen, but it will give residents the opportunity to try something new.”

The 80-seater cinema is located inside the iconic Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall and brings modern theatrical exciting to the serene and splendid surrounding in the very north of Torfaen.

The original cinema in Blaenavon closed in October 2013 as a result of the digitalisation of films for hire.

However, the cinema has re-opened using up-to-date technology and for more details visit facebook.com/BWMHDC.

Alternatively, go to blaenavoncinema.co.uk/ for additional listings of films and other events at the cinema or call the cinema on 01495 792661.