New Chapter

Sorry to those up north or up-mid or to the west, but I wanted to blog about the new look Chapter Arts Centre.

I think it looks fantastic and from the approach up to the new frontage right through to the car park at the back the whole place just screams of confidence. Yes, it's a big glass construction and it's all painted 'Art-house' white inside and, yes, i miss the parkay flooring and the school hall feel. But it undeniably looks like a venue that means business, is fit for purpose, is contending on a national level. We've suffered some really dodgy buildings in Cardiff (let's pray the Sherman gets that redevelopment grant and the building it deserves!) and so I felt immense pride walking through the huge automatic doors past the enormous box office and into a space that was unapologetically open and confident.

What does everyone else think about the new building?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John McGrath on November 6, 2009 at 10:57pm: I agree Adele. I was only in the old Chapter a couple of times prior to arriving in Cardiff and, once I was here it was largely under wraps. Great to have that confident expansive entrance - and a social space at the heart of everything, and it's great to have the theatre back in full swing - have already seen interesting and significant work by emerging companies like 3D and Faction Collective, and last week the wonderful Eddie Ladd's new show looked truly extraordinary in the space.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adele Thomas on November 7, 2009 at 11:42am: Hooray! What an age of possibility we live in!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joanna Davies on November 18, 2009 at 7:42pm: Hey Adele

Sherman received a £3 million plus grant from Arts Council of Wales towards its refurb last summer. Fundraising for the rest is already in progress.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Edith Kirkwood on November 19, 2009 at 11:25am: With regards to Sherman fundraising, is anyone else looking forward to the sponsored abseil from the fly tower next week?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Salmon on November 20, 2009 at 4:59pm: I think the new building is brilliant. It so much more open, and whats better is that it still has the same old welcoming feel.

I am slightly puzzled however as to why they would build such a humongous bar/service area and only serve at one tiny part that puts you slap bang in the middle of a walkway!!!!

Impressive at the communal areas are, there is still a lot lacking in the background - I think it's a little bit of a shame that now the new swanky FoH is open, the back areas are rather rotten.

A good lineup of work as always at Chapter, and what's better is they still put on some of the smaller but equally as important groups - I'm glad that Chapter haven't got too big for their boots!

Well done all round I think!

xx; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mei Lewis on November 27, 2009 at 4:01pm: The new building is good. For me it has exactly the same feel as the old one (a good thing) and I guess it will allow more to go on there.

I went to the launch evening though and I don;t think having bands playing in the entrance hall was a very good idea!; ▶ Reply to This