@TORtheatre week 3 update

The Other Room – Weekly Update

Over the last two weeks I’ve been sharing some exciting news about Cardiff’s very first pub theatre – but what exactly is a pub theatre?

Well in this case The Other Room will become permanent residents in ‘the other room’ of one of Cardiff’s best pubs (the location is still a secret, sorry!). The theatre and pub, although separated by a soundproofed wall, will be part of the same building and will work together to provide a great night out in the capital city.

You can enjoy a pint whilst watching the very best in modern drama or see a play when you’re out for a casual drink with your mates. You could do one then the other without having to go outside. You could just enjoy one of the two options available, pub OR theatre. But I think the two go together pretty well.

The Finborough (www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk)

Throughout England there are plenty of venues with the same model, but until The Other Room came along there were none at all in Wales. Artistic director of The Other Room, Kate Wasserberg, was the associate director of the Finborough, London’s leading Off West End theatre. It also just so happens to be a pub theatre with an international reputation, so Kate certainly knows what she is doing. To add to Kate’s expertise the artistic directors of the Finborough and the The Gate (another pub theatre in London) will be acting as mentors to The Other Room, offering their vast knowledge and experience.

Another great example is the Bike Shed theatre in Exeter. Since it opened in 2010 it has become a multi- award-winning venue. It is slightly bigger than The Other Room with a 60 seat subterranean auditorium and instead of a pub they are part of a vintage cocktail tavern. The Guardian even credits the Bike Shed with ‘keeping theatre alive in Exeter’.

The Bike Shed (photo from: www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk)

Apart from their relationships with great drinking spots these theatres also have something else in common – their commitment to exciting, contemporary and thought-provoking drama. The small size of the pub theatres means they can often take artistic risks that larger venues cannot support, meaning they are always pushing the boundaries of what is possible and are offering a unique experience every time the audience comes through the doors.

Simon Tait of The Stage believes: ‘These little theatres in London and around the country are the lifeblood of who we are, our drama for which we are world leaders.’ Surely you must be excited by the potential that The Other Room is grasping with both hands to bring a whole new experience to the arts scene of Cardiff. Personally, I can’t wait!

Make sure you catch my update next week, as I’ll be able to tell you the big secret – where The Other Room is!

In the mean-time head over to:

the Kickstarter campaign to see what the funds raised will be used for (and some funny videos of the team)

Facebook to ‘like’ The Other Room

Twitter to follow @TORtheatre for updates about the theatre

Here or here to see my previous weekly updates.