Savoy Theatre, Monmouth

The Savoy Theatre stands in Church Street, Monmouth, on the site of the earlier Bell Inn. It is one of 24 buildings on the Monmouth Heritage Trail and holds Grade II* listed status. The building began as Assembly Rooms in 1832 and became the Theatre Royal in 1850 under J. F. Rogers. It later served as a corn exchange, roller skating rink, and cinema under different names. The Albany Ward theatre group bought it in 1927 and reopened it as The New Picture House in 1928. Cadw recognised it as a rare, little-altered small cinema from the inter-war period in Wales. The theatre is the oldest working theatre site in Wales and is privately owned by the MacTaggart family. A charitable trust, the Monmouth Savoy Trust, leases and runs the venue for the local community. The trust prevented closure in 2010 and maintains the theatre without public funding. The Heritage Lottery Fund supported restoration of its interior, including red velvet curtains, gilded plasterwork, and glass chandeliers. The venue now offers nightly cinema screenings alongside concerts, drama, and comedy shows. Visitors find a programme of modern films mixed with live performances and community events. The theatre’s acoustics are reputedly excellent, and its interior decoration features elaborate details. The Savoy also organises youth drama workshops and an after-school film club. Adjoining properties were advertised for sale in 2022, but the theatre continues to operate. Its setting in Monmouth’s historic town centre adds to its character.