Coliseum Theatre

The Coliseum Theatre stands in the village of Trecynon, a short distance from Aberdare in the valleys of South Wales. Built in the late 1930s, it is a purpose-built venue for performances and films, with a single auditorium seating six hundred. The building is owned and run by the local council, making it a community asset as well as a cultural one. The theatre’s place in music history was assured when it gave the Stereophonics their first major break. In 1996 a gig there featured several Welsh bands, including Catatonia and the up-and-coming Tragic Love Company, later known as Stereophonics. Manager John Brand attended to watch another act but signed Stereophonics after hearing them perform. Within months the band had a record deal with V2. Inside, the auditorium presents a classic proscenium layout with stalls and circle seating. The stage hosts plays, musicals and concerts, while the screen shows films when not in use for live events. Outside, the surrounding streets of Trecynon offer quiet walks and a glimpse of everyday Welsh valley life.