Much more than a Theatre

 

Parsons, famed for his regular slot on BBC’s Mock the Week, joined the likes of Lee Evans (below), Alan Carr and Omid Djalili to swoop by rural Mid Wales on their tours of arenas up and down the country.

 

It has been an incredible year for the once called Theatr Hafren which has rebranded following a £900,000 refit as ‘Hafren’ and Marketing Manager Del Thomas revealed why.

 

“The venue is 30 years old next year and it was decided that to call it a theatre these days was misleading,” he said. “Hafren is very much a state-of-the-art entertainment centre and our new identity presents a fresh image.”

 

And the autumn/winter programme certainly encapsulates its new all-rounder status. While most of the top-notch comedy has sold out – the recent Max Boyce nights sold 1,100 out of tickets in days – Hafren puts on entertainment for the whole family from last week’s Rory the Race Car show to this weekend’s Magic of Motown featuring a return to a golden era of music.

 

Throw in an upcoming show from British comedic institution Arthur Smith as well as performances from stage drama to choirs, orchestras and bands and there is literally something for everyone.

 

“The upcoming programme represents a truly diverse series of entertainment,” added Del. “We really are here for the people of Montgomeryshire and listen to what sort of entertainment they are looking for. We also provide the cheapest tickets like-for-like to be found anywhere. We understand that budgets are tight so we work hard with the agents and promoters to keep the ticket prices as low as possible.”

 

So what has £900,000 bought? On the face of it, it appears very little but a majority of the investment has gone into the ‘behind the scenes’ technology keeping the venue at the top of the game. There is also now a more welcoming foyer for pre-show drinks and Thursday shows benefit from a pre-event meal opportunity.

 

So with tickets now cheaper than anything across the border and the theatre now providing cutting edge technology and world-class performers, there has never been a better time to see what’s on just up the road.

 

For the latest Hafren programme of events, visit http://www.thehafren.co.uk/.