Port Talbot鈥檚 Princess Royal Theatre is in a 1980s building attached to the town鈥檚 civic centre. Though young in theatre terms, it is already tired and in need of improvement.
Appointed to by Neath Port Talbot Council via the South West Wales framework, Morgan Sindall is undertaking a 拢16.9m restoration of the theatre as part of the council鈥檚 larger plans to reinvigorate the town centre.
聽With design by AHR, the 798-seat theatre is getting an extended gateway entrance leading to a remodelled lobby and bar area. Refurbishment of the theatre auditorium, new conference facilities, artist dressing rooms, orchestra pit and an upgraded sound and lighting arrangements with winch and rigging capabilities will support larger and more complicated productions. It should also make the space more multi-functional for community use.
聽Works include stripping the building to bare brick and remodelling the space for improved audience flow and accessibility. To achieve this, Morgan Sindall will provide accessible seating on the top tier as well as front seats, and extend the front of the theatre鈥檚 main foyer into an atrium. There will also be an extension to the toilets, a new lift for wheelchair access, and the bar will be moved to face the atrium instead of the auditorium.
There are also to be changes backstage as well as front of house. Currently, performers are unable to travel between stage wings without the use of stairs which fundamentally affects the types of performance that can be held. To overcome this, Morgan Sindall is extending back of house by up to three metres to allow performers to move behind the scenery to access the opposite wing. Additionally, designs include a lift to transport scenery from the car park to the stage, helping performances to set up the stage without carrying large props via outdoor steps.聽
There will also be exterior works with a small amphitheatre for outdoor events replacing the site鈥檚 existing fountain..聽
Morgan Sindall will recycle and repair existing materials such as the building鈥檚 brickwork, using the bricks to construct small minor walls inside while timber on the balcony and main walls will be conserved to retain the theatre鈥檚 feel.
Green roofs will be added to each side of the new extension building and rain gardens will capture and filter stormwater excess.聽
The project is funded by the UK government鈥檚 levelling up fund and is on track to complete in autumn 2026.聽
Rob Williams, area director for Morgan Sindall in Wales, said: 鈥淭his building is a real cornerstone of the Port Talbot community, so we can鈥檛 wait to give it a new lease of life, all while getting to know the community along the way.聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e working closely with Neath Port Talbot Council to make sure we deliver a refurbishment that can give the local area a boost and attract some incredible acts to enjoy the upgraded facilities.鈥�
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