First Minister visiting Theatr Clwyd today as part of its 40th birthday celebrations.

First Minister Carwyn Jones AM, will make his first ever official visit to Theatr Clwyd this morning, Thursday September 15 where he will meet staff and find out about the work of the Mold theatre company as it celebrates its 40^th birthday.

The theatre, a flagship for drama and creativity in North East Wales is as one of the leading regional arts centres in Britain having produced over 400 of its own productions in the past 40 years.

The First Minister will be accompanied by Hannah Blythyn AM for Delyn, Cllr Aaron Shotton, Leader of Flintshire County Council on the visit and will tour stages in the Anthony Hopkins and Emlyn Williams Theatres.

Mr Jones will also visit the workshop to meet the scenic artists, prop and costume makers and see stage sets being built for Insignificance by Terry Johnson, the theatre’s first production of the autumn season.

He will also meet Theatr Clwyd’s first technical apprentices, who are training in sound and lighting trades as part of a new pan-Wales scheme.

In the Oriel Gallery he will visit a new exhibition of drawings in charcoal or ink by Welsh artist Stephen West, from Welshpool.

The First Minister said:

[miptheme_quote author=”” style=”text-left”]I am delighted to be visiting Theatr Clwyd during its 40th birthday celebrations – a venue that has been at the heart of culture in North Wales for the last four decades. It has, of course, been a source of theatre for people beyond our borders, with the quality of the productions drawing people from the Midlands and North West of England. As one of the most important

As one of the most important arts venues in North Wales, it makes a valuable contribution to Welsh drama and carries out a great deal of work in the community. I know there are many exciting developments ahead for the theatre, not least the introduction of a winter ice rink for local families to enjoy as well as an innovative performance of the Nutcracker.[/miptheme_quote]

Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director, said:

[miptheme_quote author=”” style=”text-left”]We are extremely privileged to receive the First Minister’s visit during our 40th anniversary year. Theatr Clwyd was the vision of one man, T.M. Haydn Rees, the former Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council, who thought everyone in the community should have access to world class art. Artistic Director Tamara Harvey and I look forward to working with staff to lay the foundations for our next 40 years of work.[/miptheme_quote]