25 years of celebrating high quality theatre

The company was established in 1982 and quickly established themselves as a highly popular, professional local theatre providing a much valued service to schools and communities in the County of West Glamorgan and nationally throughout Wales, in both English and Welsh language. The small team made an impact in community centres, local halls, clubs and even HM prison Swansea.

In 1988 the company became the first theatre company to have its own Radio show, “Atodiad Lliw”, and the following year they became the first Welsh theatre company to devise, script and perform a television series, ‘Day Return/ Tocyn Diwrnod’ In 1992 the company moved to its new home in Millands Road, Neath, with its own workshop, rehearsal space and offices its new home was a significant step forward for the company.

A landmark production for the company was Manon Eames’ translation into Welsh of Willy Russell’s play “Shirley Valentine” in 1993, selling out performances throughout Wales. The following years saw the company develop and change with new members and even bigger projects and tours. 

In 1997 it established itself as a producer of main stage with a world premier of an adaptation of “Rape of the Fair Country” in partnership with Swansea Grand Theatre, and also exported its work to England and Ireland, with notable productions such as "Cider with Rosie" and "A Child's Christmas in Wales".

1998 Theatr West Glamorgan produced its first 3 month residency at the Dylan Thomas Theatre Swansea. In partnership with Swansea Museum, this successful project is now in it’s 11 year and plays to 5000 school children a year. Its historically themed original productions provide a unique mixture of local history and drama for many schools from the counties of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. Our unique collaboration in creating a theatre event combined with a museum visit is highly regarded and has evolved in creating new audiences for our work.

The Company has developed and enhanced its provision to schools with the invaluable consultation with teachers and advisory teachers within its 3 authorities.

Our current 3 year artistic plan sees a wealth of work which enhances our schools programme, strengthens our partnerships with key venues within Wales and beyond, and evolves our creative aspirations by working with museums, galleries,and botanical gardens.

We also are enthusiastic about looking at new methods of engaging young people with the arts by using new media and IT with our close collaboration with Webplay, an international website programme linking the creative arts with 21st century learning.