Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre (Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru)
The Wales Millennium Centre in the Bay Area of Cardiff, south Wales is the country's major art centre.
It is home to the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales, Hijinx, Literature Wales, National Dance Company Wales, Touch Trust, Tŷ Cerdd, Urdd Gobaith Cymru (The Welsh League of Youth) and the Welsh National Opera.
The Arts Council of Wales is also headquartered in the complex.
The arts space hosts performances of ballet, contemporary dance, comedy, music (both classical and contemporary) and opera.
Visitors to the Wales Millennium Centre can enjoy blockbuster West End musicals, opera, ballet and contemporary dance, hip hop and stand up comedy, art exhibitions, workshops, training days, free daily foyer performances, bars and restaurants. There are also regular behind-the-scenes backstage tours and more specialist technical and architectural tours.
History
The development grew out of the discontinued Cardiff Bay Opera House project. The radical design by Zaha Hadid failed to gain backing from the Millennium Commission.
The funding for the construction of the Wales Millennium Centre was helped by a 20 million Pound donation by the South African businessman Sir Donald Gordon - one of the largest private donations to the arts in the UK.
The first part of the building complex opened in 2004 with further extensions in 2009. It was designed by Welsh architect Jonathan Adams.
The Buildings
The two main theatres are the Donald Gordon Theatre and Weston Studio Theatre. They have seating for 2,497 and 250 people respectively. These opened in 2004.
There are also rehearsal and functions rooms, along with dance studios. As well as being a dance studio, Dance House hosts weekly morning yoga sessions.
In addition the theatres and other spaces are served by several bars in the foyer and the Urdd City Sleepover - accommodation for visiting young members of Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
The building materials are sourced in Wales and include local glass, metal, slate and wood. All are materials closely associated with the historical and industrial heritage of Wales.
BBC Hoddinott Hall
BBC Hoddinott Hall was the second part of the construction project and opened in 2009. It is the home of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) and the BBC National Chorus of Wales.
It is named after the Welsh classical music composer Alun Hoddinott (1929-2008) and has 350 seats.
The interior with a marked use of timber reflects traditional Welsh chapels in its design.
The Arts Council of Wales has its HQ in the building.
Residents
The eight organizations presently resident in the complex are the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales, Hijinx, a community theatre project, Literature Wales promoting and supporting literature and writers in Wales, as well as the National Dance Company Wales.
In addition Touch Trust provides educational touch and movement therapies for people with autism and other conditions. Tŷ Cerdd is a music information centre for both amateur and professional musicians, Urdd Gobaith Cymru (The Welsh League of Youth) and the Welsh National Opera.
Access - Getting There
Bute Place
Cardiff
CF10 5AL
www: wmc.org.uk
The Wales Millennium Centre is a short walk from Bae Caerdydd (Cardiff Bay) Station in the Docklands district of the city. Frequent trains shuttle between the station and Cardiff Queen Street.
Cardiff Central Station has rail links to Paddington Station in London.
Wales Millennium Centre is also close to the Welsh National Assembly (The Senedd), Techniquest, the Life Sciences Hub Wales in Assembly Square and the Norwegian Church Arts Centre.
The BayCar links Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central railway stations with St Mary's Street - a main street in the city lined with restaurants and banks. Several local buses also stop outside the building.
Aquabus water buses sail from Cardiff Castle to the Bay area.
Cardiff Related
Castle Apartments at Cardiff Castle
Stay in Wales
Book Hotels in Cardiff - Booking.com
Find Hotels in Swansea - Booking.com