THE historic Albert Hall in Llandrindod Wells has been deemed ‘at risk’ by an arts organisation.
Built in 1896, the Grade-II listed building has been ranked alongside ten other theatres throughout Wales as being under threat.
This is despite refurbishment four years ago, which involved the management committee raising £35,000 towards the project and securing a £80,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Albert Hall’s inclusion on the list is ridiculous, said theatre committee treasurer Roger Manning.
“Considering that it’s just had a brand new roof, new disabled toilets and refurbished dressing rooms, I can’t understand it,” he said.
“We are far from at risk. We are financially better off than we have been for a long time, we have no problems and receive no subsidies from the local authority.
“We’ve got shows on and have shows booked right through until next year.”
Among those who have appeared at the Albert Hall, which was converted to a theatre in 1922, are Welsh composer and film actor Ivor Novello, and suffragette Emily Pankhurst.
The new report, compiled by the organisation The Theatres Trust, lists buildings which it believes face threats of demolition, poor quality of operation, neglect, funding cuts or closure.
The ‘Theatre Buildings At Risk’ register features all types of buildings where theatre is staged, whether statutorily listed, in a conservation area, or not listed.
A total of 58 theatres are said to be under threat across the UK, 41 in England, seven in Scotland and 10 in Wales.
The ten Welsh buildings on the 2011 list are: the Palace Theatre, Swansea; Pontypridd’s Town Hall; Conwy Civic Hall; Parc Hall Cwmparc, Treorchy; De Valence Pavilion, Tenby; the Albert Hall Theatre, Llandrindod Wells; Corwen Pavilion; Barry’s Theatre Royal, St Donats Arts Centre in the Vale of Glamorgan; and Theatr Harlech.
The trust is now calling for ‘a demonstrable increase in funding’, and political support for community and campaign groups in protecting and promoting the value of their local theatres.
Theatres in Wales receive funding from a wealth of sources, including the Arts Council of Wales.
Last year, 32 organisations were told they would no longer receive revenue funding, several of which are now on the ‘at risk’ register.
“Theatres are much more than buildings,” said the ACW’s arts director, David Alston.
“The ‘at risk’ list includes some major focal points for our communities in Wales which must be a concern.
"Theatres, once given a 21st-century lease of life, can return to being the heartbeat of their locality.”