HISTORY OF THE TORCH

1977 was a year of big moments. Star Wars lit up cinema screens, ABBA topped the charts, and the Ford Cortina ruled Britain’s roads. In Pembrokeshire, another milestone was happening: the Torch Theatre opened its doors for the very first time.

The Torch Theatre’s story begins in the mid 1960s, when Pembrokeshire County Council set out to create centres of excellence for leisure and the arts. Choosing Milford Haven as the site was bold, but with the opening of the Cleddau Bridge, the theatre was perfectly placed to welcome audiences from across the county.

Designed by local architect Monty Minter, the Torch opened its doors in April 1977 with a 297-seat auditorium costing £500,000. From the outset, it was decided the Torch wouldn’t be just a receiving Theatre but its own producing theatre with its own company, creating a stage for new writing, classic drama, comedy, and touring productions. Within its first five years, the Torch produced more than 40 plays and quickly earned a reputation as Pembrokeshire’s home of professional theatre.

“One of the scariest times of my life was the opening of the Torch. During the lead-up to the first night, I used to lie awake in fear that we would open and the actors would be on stage, but the auditorium would be empty. It didn’t happen that way and the rest is history!” - Graham Watkins, Original artistic director 

Over the decades, the Torch has staged over 150 productions, including shows that have toured internationally and performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to award-winning acclaim. More importantly, the Torch Theatre has delighted audiences for over forty years with everything from Christmas Pantomimes to the latest blockbusters. The theatre has become a vibrant hub for the whole community, offering something for everyone: youth theatre groups, relaxed screenings, live broadcasts, stage shows, tribute acts, and even corporate events. The Torch Theatre has become a vital part of the Arts scene in West Wales and the beating heart of the community. 

A major £5.4 million redevelopment in 2007 transformed the venue into the modern, welcoming space you see today- complete with a 300-seat Main House, 102-seat Studio Theatre, cinema screens including 3D technology, a gallery, bar, and café. Now hosting over 1,000 events a year, the Torch continues to thrive, entertaining local audiences and drawing visitors from across Wales and beyond.

Against the odds and despite cuts in funding to the arts, the Torch has survived where many venues have not, thanks to the passion of its team and the loyalty of its audiences. As former Artistic Director, Peter Doran, once said: “We’ve gone from one funding crisis to another, but we’re still here and still doing well - and I see no reason why we shouldn’t be here for another forty years at least.”

As the Torch Theatre moves towards its 50 year anniversary in 2027, it carries forward a proud legacy whilst embracing bold new ideas that will shape the next generation of theatre in Wales. Current Artistic Director Chelsey Gillard says

“The Torch began due to the support of local communities and businesses, thanks to the incredible ongoing support over the years the Torch continues to be a beacon of creativity in Pembrokeshire. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”

“I fell in love with the Torch because every member of the team, especially our wonderful volunteers, always does their best to give everyone a warm welcome. I’m so proud to be part of this incredible community and continue the Torch’s legacy of making a creative buzz in Pembrokeshire.”