Our history

Click on a year to read all about our origins and the changes that have taken place over the years.

History Timeline

1983 - Theatr Mwldan was established

Theatr Mwldan was established by Cardigan Theatre, a local amateur drama company, who began a project to convert the town’s disused abattoir into a community theatre. Cardigan Art Society provided equipment for the exhibition space and helped to make much of the theatre equipment.

1987 - Our formal opening

Sees the formal opening of Theatr Mwldan by the late distinguished opera singer Sir Geraint Evans. Theatr Mwldan quickly established itself as a multi-purpose centre of arts activity for all ages and abilities. Building from its base in community performance, a professional arts programme was developed.
Cardigan Theatre’s first pantomime is Aladdin.

1988 - Theatr Mwldan Film Society organise the first cinema screenings

The newly formed Theatr Mwldan Film Society organise the first cinema screenings at Theatr Mwldan. It opened its season on the 18th September with a 10min. short, ‘Tout Rien’ by Frederic Back followed by “The Mosquito Coast” starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. In this first season the society screened 9 films.

1989 - Theatr Mwldan receives the Prince of Wales Award.

Theatr Mwldan receives the Prince of Wales Award.

Cardigan Youth Theatre win the Theatre Olymiad in Delhi, India.

Opera Teifi’s inaugral production.

1990 - Theatr Mwldan Film Society wins Best New Film Society in the UK Award.

Theatr Mwldan Film Society wins Best New Film Society in the UK Award.

1991 - Cardigan Theatre vote to transfer the lease of Theatr Mwldan to independent management.

Cardigan Theatre vote to transfer the lease of Theatr Mwldan to independent management.

1992 - 1992

Theatr Mwldan was managed by Cardigan Theatre until 1992 when Theatr Mwldan, a limited company was formed, governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees.

Now a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, Theatr Mwldan is also a community enterprise, a company owned and managed by the community that it serves.

Membership of the company is open to all.

1993 - 1993

Theatr Mwldan Film Society wins the coveted British Film Institute Best Film Society of the Year Award.

2004 - 2004

The Theatr Mwldan Development Project is completed in June 2004.

The Project delivers a vast improvement in the type of facilities available, the level of activity and the quality of experience for its customers.

The new venue comprises two theatre auditoria (seating 250 and 146), a rehearsal studio, a visual arts exhibition space and improved front of house, catering and administrative facilities.

The new building is officially opened by Opera Singer Buddug Verona James and the opening is celebrated with the Big Weekend, a weekend of free events.

The Peter Gould Music Trust choose Theatr Mwldan as their home venue, starting their first season in residence with a piano recital by Nikolai Demidenko.

With Arts Council of Wales Lottery funding, the Peter Gould Music Trust acquired a Steinway Model C concert grand piano and a Steinway Boston upright piano, both of which are located at Theatr Mwldan and are available for community use.

2005 - 2005

Theatr Mwldan is recognised as a Regional Performing Arts Centre by The Arts Council of Wales.

This new strategic role includes a remit for production and origination of performance, specialising in world and traditional music, drama and music theatre, and co-promoting and co-producing tours of artistic excellence.

Theatr Mwldan tours: Side by Side By Sondheim, Yair Dalal & Friends, Eugenio Bennato and Taranto Power

2006 - 2006

Theatr Mwldan tours extend into England for the first time.

Theatr Mwldan tours: A Knife at The Opera, Billy Cobham and Asere (April and October tours), Le Trio Joubran, King Naat Veliov & Original Kocani Orkestar, Cegin Ceri Series, Mappa Mundi’s Canterbury Tales, Bellowhead

2007 - 2007

Mwldan joins the digital screen network. A high tech digital projector is installed in Mwldan 1 auditorium, funded by the UK Film Council

Theatr Mwldan receives Investors In People status – a fantastic recognition of the dedication and hard work of all the staff.

In partnership with Creative Mwldan Creadigidol Theatr Mwldan deliver the Accessible Cinema project, equipping 10 arts centres / independent cinemas across Wales with Audio Description and Soft Subtitling equipment.

Theatr Mwldan tours: Bellowhead, Mappa Mundi’s Moll Flanders, Yasmin Levy, Billy Cobham and Asere, Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company, The Eagle Dances, Catrin Finch and Cimarron

2008 - 2008

Theatr Mwldan receives a Beacon Award from The Arts Council of Wales – one of only 22 arts organisations in Wales to do so.

Mwldan launches its own record label.

Cinema admissions beat 1,000 in a day for the first time ever!

Theatr Mwldan tours: Bellowhead, Mappa Mundi’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Tinariwen, Billy Cobham and Asere, Mappa Mundi’s Canterbury Tales, Stella Chiweshe & The Heart of The Earthquake Band

2009 - 2009

Mwldan launches their new website and starts selling tickets online – by the end of the year 1/3 of all tickets were sold via Mwldan’s website.

In October 2009 Digital 3D is equipped in Mwldan 1.

Mwldan Tours: Bellowhead, Catrin Finch and Cimarron, Mappa Mundi’s She Stoops To Conquer (co-produced with The Torch Theatre), Le Trio Joubran, and Billy Bragg (marking the 25th anniversary of the Miners Strike)

2010 - 2010

Mwldan starts a programme of live broadcast events screening in HD via satellite: The Met Opera (screening live from New York) and National Theatre Live become a high street brand in Cardigan!

Mwldan Tours: Bellowhead, Catrin Finch and Cimmarron, Mappa Mundi’s Dangerous Liaisons, and Morecambe.

2011 - 2011

Mwldan is named as one of the new Arts Council of Wales portfolio of 71 revenue funded organisations following a national review of the arts.

In April 2011 Mwldan 1 has a new Series 2 digital projector installed.

The Arts Council has named Theatr Mwldan as one of their new core network of 8 arts centres, described as exemplar organisations across Wales that are at the heart of ACW’s future strategy, a fantastic national recognition of the success and excellence of Theatr Mwldan.

Mwldan 2 has a brand new digital projector installed in December 2011, and is digital 3D enabled.

Mwldan becomes mobile friendly – customer can now book their tickets via their Smart Phones by visiting mwldan.ticketsolve.com/mobile

A new series of Live broadcasts from the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden begin by satellite.

Two new tenants join Mwldan’s Business Centre – The Tivyside Advertiser, Cardigan’s local newspaper for over 140 years, and BlueWest, specialists in business support.

Mwldan Tours: Chronicles of Long Kesh (Co-produced with Green Shoot Productions) Salsa! (Co-produced with Theatr Na Nog), Mappa Mundi’s Much Ado About Nothing, Circus Trick Tease (Co-produced with Pontardawe Arts Centre)

2012 - 2012

February 2012 work commences on Mwldan 3 – a third 101 seat cinema screen, fully digitally equipped and satellite and 3D enabled – to be open in August 2012.

Mwldan tours: Catrin Finch and Toumani Diabate, A Midsummer Night’s Dream co-produced with Torch Theatre and Mappa Mundi

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