The Torch Theatre in Milford Haven is set to hold its first ever live streamed event in a bid to offer entertainment to those missing live theatre during the covid 19 pandemic.
Celebrated comedian and theatre-maker, Daniel Kitson, will be performing his show Dot Dot Dot, which was written during lockdown and devised to be performed as a solo project, live from an empty Torch Theatre on Friday 27th November.
The Torch Theatre, which opened in 1977 on a much smaller scale is the only venue in West Wales, one of only three venues in Wales regularly producing their own theatre and a much-loved venue and centre for the local community. The Torch is a registered charity and not for profit organisation, chiefly funded by Arts Council Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council.
During the lockdown, the theatre closed temporarily, with skeleton staff working to keep customers informed of ongoing developments and to ensure the upkeep and security of the building. The spirit of the Torch was kept alive with regular online events including My Voices and My Moves movement and music workshops by Arts Care Gofal, the Torch Youth Theatre with Chloe Wheeler and Johnny Lock and the Torch Voices choir led by West End Musical Director Angharad Sanders.
Angharad also produces a weekly singalong session live on social media, which has reached viewers across the UK and America and continues as the theatre remains closed, with a view to opening with a film programme in November.
The Torch Theatre is embracing digital technology to bring the live event into homes across the UK, raising much needed money for the venue and bringing live theatre back to its audience.
They hope in future they can also use this technology to stream events on a regular basis to reach a wider audience as well as for those who perhaps can’t get tickets due to restrictions on the venue, or are unable to come into the theatre in person.
Torch Theatre Chief Executive Director, Ben Lloyd said,
“Whilst we can’t wait to welcome our audiences back to the Torch, we are excited to explore this new way of working which may well be a feature of times to come. We are thrilled to welcome Daniel for his Torch debut, giving us a platform to present live theatre direct from our stage. For the past 7 months, our stages have remained empty and we are so looking forward to turning the lights on once again.”
Due to current restrictions, live theatre is not set to return to the Torch until 2021, with programmers and senior teams currently working on a programme for the new year.
With ongoing support from the public and the news of a funding lifeline from the Welsh Government and the Arts Council of Wales as part of the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund, there are also several community projects in the pipeline, which hope to bring the Torch back with a bang in 2021.
All 300 tickets for Dot.Dot.Dot via Torch Theatre have now sold out, however tickets are still available via other UK Theatres – find out more here.
Join Angharad’s weekly singalong sessions on the Torch Theatre Facebook page.
