Wyvern Theatre

Coordinates: 51°33′29″N 1°46′59″W / 51.558°N 1.783°W / 51.558; -1.783

Wyvern Theatre
Address Swindon
Capacity 635
Construction
Opened 7 September 1971 (1971-09-07)
Reopened 25 September 2007
Website
swindontheatres.co.uk

The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, Wiltshire, is named after the mythical wyvern which was once the emblem of the kings of Wessex. It was opened on 7 September 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

It is managed on behalf of Swindon Borough Council by Wyvern Theatre Ltd, a subsidiary of HQ Theatres Ltd..[1] The auditorium has 635 seats, all designed to be within 70 feet from the stage.[2]

History

The theatre was built in 1968-71 by Casson, Conder and Partner as part of Swindon Civic Centre.[3] The first performance was by the Ukrainian Dance Company.[4]

On 3 September 2006, it closed temporarily after the discovery of traces of asbestos in the venue's offices and roof void during a routine inspection. It remained closed until September 2007 and the closure was used to refurbish the venue, bringing new decor, bars, cafés, disabled entrances and new seating costing £1.3 million. The first performance afterwards was on 25 September 2007.[5]

the 4th and current logo

Management companies

Pantomimes

Behind the Scenes

Awards

Summer Youth Project

Theatre Mascot

Over the years The Wyvern Theatre has had its own mascot in the form of a 6-foot-high green dragon-like creature known as Willy the Wyvern.

Willy the Wyvern became the theatre's mascot originally during in its founding years but faded into obscurity for over two decades. In 2001, Willy was reborn and returned to the Wyvern theatre with a new look and a new lease of life just in time to celebrate its 30th anniversary. He has now seemingly gone into retirement making rare appearances, the last being in the 2013 Summer Youth Project

References

  1. ↑ Meet the new boss of the Wyvern Theatre – Swindonadvertiser.co.uk
  2. ↑ About Us – Wyverntheatre.org.uk
  3. ↑ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget (1975). The Buildings of England, volume 26, Wiltshire (2 ed.). Yale University Press. p. 510. ISBN 9780300096590. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Theatre marks a dramatic 40 years – Swindonadvertiser.co.uk
  5. ↑ "Theatre opens for public viewings". BBC News. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2007.
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