Wales Millennium Centre: Difference between revisions
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'''Wales Millennium Centre''' ({{lang-cy|Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru}}) is an [[arts centre]] located in the [[Cardiff Bay]] area of [[Cardiff]], Wales. The site covers a total area of {{convert|4.7|acre}}.<ref name="Sell" /> Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert. The centre has hosted performances of [[Opera]], [[Ballet]], [[Dance]], [[Theatre|Theater,]] [[comedy]] and [[musical theater|Musicals]]. |
'''Wales Millennium Centre''' ({{lang-cy|Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru}}) is an [[arts centre]] located in the [[Cardiff Bay]] area of [[Cardiff]], Wales. The site covers a total area of {{convert|4.7|acre}}.<ref name="Sell" /> Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert. The centre has hosted performances of [[Opera]], [[Ballet]], [[Dance]], [[Theatre|Theater,]] [[comedy]] and [[musical theater|Musicals]]. |
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The Centre comprises one large theatre and two smaller halls with shops, bars and restaurants. It houses the national orchestra and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, a total of eight arts organisations in residence.<ref name="Tenants">{{cite web |
The Centre comprises one large theatre and two smaller halls with shops, bars and restaurants. It houses the national orchestra and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, a total of eight arts organisations in residence.<ref name="Tenants">{{cite web|url=http://www.wmc.org.uk/index.cfm?UUID=D1A492FF-65B8-F208-5711DE6C8A2D1DAA |publisher=Wales Millennium Centre |title=Resident Organisations - Organisations working within Wales Millennium Centre |accessdate=2009-01-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216112313/http://wmc.org.uk/index.cfm?UUID=D1A492FF-65B8-F208-5711DE6C8A2D1DAA |archivedate=2009-02-16 |df= }}</ref> It is also home to the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre. |
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The main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre, has 1,897 seats, the BBC Hoddinott Hall 350 and the Weston Studio Theatre 250.<ref name="Function">{{cite web |
The main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre, has 1,897 seats, the BBC Hoddinott Hall 350 and the Weston Studio Theatre 250.<ref name="Function">{{cite web|url=http://www.wmc.org.uk/index.cfm?UUID=A4D665A5-AAD6-393C-45B96FD2745D3D47 |publisher=Wales Millennium Centre |title=Function rooms |accessdate=2008-03-04 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023134401/http://www.wmc.org.uk/index.cfm?UUID=A4D665A5-AAD6-393C-45B96FD2745D3D47 |archivedate=2007-10-23 |df= }}</ref> |
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In 2001 [[David Rowe-Beddoe, Baron Rowe-Beddoe|Lord Rowe-Beddoe]] was appointed chairman of Wales Millennium Centre, a [[company limited by guarantee]]. Board members include [[Michael Checkland|Sir Michael Checkland]]. |
In 2001 [[David Rowe-Beddoe, Baron Rowe-Beddoe|Lord Rowe-Beddoe]] was appointed chairman of Wales Millennium Centre, a [[company limited by guarantee]]. Board members include [[Michael Checkland|Sir Michael Checkland]]. |
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[[File:Cropped image of site before the construction of the WMC.jpg|thumb|left|Site of the proposed Cardiff Bay Opera House and later Wales Millennium Centre in the open space in the middle of the image]] |
[[File:Cropped image of site before the construction of the WMC.jpg|thumb|left|Site of the proposed Cardiff Bay Opera House and later Wales Millennium Centre in the open space in the middle of the image]] |
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The Centre replaced an earlier project for the site, the Cardiff Bay Opera House, a plan supported by the [[Cardiff Bay Development Corporation]] to construct a permanent home for the [[Welsh National Opera]].<ref name="Airlines">{{cite web |
The Centre replaced an earlier project for the site, the Cardiff Bay Opera House, a plan supported by the [[Cardiff Bay Development Corporation]] to construct a permanent home for the [[Welsh National Opera]].<ref name="Airlines">{{cite web|url=http://americanairlines.wcities.com/en/guide/entertainment/7/guide.html |publisher=[[American Airlines]] |title=Entertainment |accessdate=2008-04-12 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117071627/http://americanairlines.wcities.com/en/guide/entertainment/7/guide.html |archivedate=2007-11-17 |df= }}</ref> The project failed to win financial support from the [[Millennium Commission]], the body which distributed funds from the UK [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]]. |
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An international design competition attracted 268 international applicants,<ref name="Observer">{{cite news |url= http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/architecture/story/0,,2263977,00.html |publisher= [[Guardian Media Group]] |title= Zaha Hadid |accessdate=2008-05-01 | location=London | first=Lynn | last=Barber | date=2008-03-09}}</ref> and was won by Iraq-born architect [[Zaha Hadid]]. Her [[avant-garde]] design was so radical that she and a selection of other applicants were asked to submit revised designs for a second round of competition<ref name="Net">{{cite news |
An international design competition attracted 268 international applicants,<ref name="Observer">{{cite news |url= http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/architecture/story/0,,2263977,00.html |publisher= [[Guardian Media Group]] |title= Zaha Hadid |accessdate=2008-05-01 | location=London | first=Lynn | last=Barber | date=2008-03-09}}</ref> and was won by Iraq-born architect [[Zaha Hadid]]. Her [[avant-garde]] design was so radical that she and a selection of other applicants were asked to submit revised designs for a second round of competition<ref name="Net">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19960114/ai_n9636266 |publisher=[[CNET Networks]], Inc. |title=A monumental spot of local trouble |accessdate=2008-04-12 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224101146/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19960114/ai_n9636266 |archivedate=2009-02-24 |df= }} </ref>—which she again won<ref name="Building">{{cite web |url= http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=3089962|publisher=Building Design|title=Diva Zaha steals the show in Cardiff Bay |accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> with "a sleek and dazzling complex of sharp lines and surfaces that she compared to an 'inverted necklace'".<ref name="Times">{{cite news |url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEED91539F936A15751C1A963958260 |publisher= [[New York Times]] |title= Britain Rejects Welsh Opera's Plea for Financing|accessdate=2008-03-04 | first=John | last=Darnton | date=1995-12-25}}</ref> |
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In December 1995, the Millennium Commission decided against [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|lottery-money]] funding for the project.<ref name="Times"/> It was suggested that the bid failed because of "the unpopular Conservative government's fear of controversy," favouring the funding of projects perceived as more [[populism|populist]], such as the [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref name="Nicholas">Review by Raymund Ryan of {{cite web |
In December 1995, the Millennium Commission decided against [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|lottery-money]] funding for the project.<ref name="Times"/> It was suggested that the bid failed because of "the unpopular Conservative government's fear of controversy," favouring the funding of projects perceived as more [[populism|populist]], such as the [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref name="Nicholas">Review by Raymund Ryan of {{cite web|url=http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_0498/ap98carf.htm |title=Opera House Lottery: Zaha Hadid and the Cardiff Bay Project by Nicholas Crickhowell |accessdate=2008-04-12 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908081735/http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_0498/ap98carf.htm |archivedate=2008-09-08 |df= }} at Metropolis in Review, April 1988</ref> |
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=== Origins of Wales Millennium Centre === |
=== Origins of Wales Millennium Centre === |
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{{main article|Jones Jones Jones}} |
{{main article|Jones Jones Jones}} |
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On 3 November 2006, a record breaking attempt to gather the most people with the same surname, [[Jones (surname)|Jones]], took place in the Centre under the show banner ''Jones Jones Jones'', filmed for television by [[S4C]]. The record was broken with 1,224 Joneses filling the Donald Gordon Theatre.<ref name="Jones">{{cite web |
On 3 November 2006, a record breaking attempt to gather the most people with the same surname, [[Jones (surname)|Jones]], took place in the Centre under the show banner ''Jones Jones Jones'', filmed for television by [[S4C]]. The record was broken with 1,224 Joneses filling the Donald Gordon Theatre.<ref name="Jones">{{cite web|url=http://www.uhmedia.co.uk/jones_website/en/index.html?lc=English |publisher=UHMedia* |title=1,224 Joneses have broken the world record! |accessdate=2008-02-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223174732/http://www.uhmedia.co.uk/jones_website/en/index.html?lc=English |archivedate=2009-02-23 |df= }}</ref> The previous record was set in [[Sweden]] in 2004 when 583 people gathered who had the same surname of Norberg.<ref name="Norberg">{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/6112714.stm |publisher= [[BBC]]|title= Joneses break same surname record |accessdate=2009-02-22 | date=2006-11-04}}</ref> |
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'''''Gavin & Stacey''''' |
'''''Gavin & Stacey''''' |
Revision as of 07:36, 4 May 2017
51°27′54.14″N 3°9′48.72″W / 51.4650389°N 3.1635333°W
The Armadillo | |
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Location | Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales |
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Owner | Phase 1: Wales Millennium Centre Phase 2: Lime Property Fund (Aviva Investors)[1] |
Operator | Wales Millennium Centre |
Capacity | Donald Gordon Theatre: 1,897 BBC Hoddinott Hall: 350 Weston Studio Theatre: 250 |
Construction | |
Broke ground | February 2002 |
Opened | Phase 1: 26–28 November 2004 Phase 2: 31 January 2009 |
Construction cost | Phase 1 GB£106.2 million[2] Phase 2 GB£18 million[1] |
Architect | Percy Thomas Partnership (now Capita Architecture) |
Tenants | |
Arts Council of Wales, Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre, Literature Wales, National Dance Company Wales, Hijinx Theatre, Touch Trust, Tŷ Cerdd, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.[3] |
Wales Millennium Centre (Welsh: Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru) is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of 4.7 acres (1.9 ha).[4] Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert. The centre has hosted performances of Opera, Ballet, Dance, Theater, comedy and Musicals.
The Centre comprises one large theatre and two smaller halls with shops, bars and restaurants. It houses the national orchestra and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, a total of eight arts organisations in residence.[3] It is also home to the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre.
The main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre, has 1,897 seats, the BBC Hoddinott Hall 350 and the Weston Studio Theatre 250.[5]
In 2001 Lord Rowe-Beddoe was appointed chairman of Wales Millennium Centre, a company limited by guarantee. Board members include Sir Michael Checkland.
Background
The failed Cardiff Bay Opera House project
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Cropped_image_of_site_before_the_construction_of_the_WMC.jpg/220px-Cropped_image_of_site_before_the_construction_of_the_WMC.jpg)
The Centre replaced an earlier project for the site, the Cardiff Bay Opera House, a plan supported by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation to construct a permanent home for the Welsh National Opera.[6] The project failed to win financial support from the Millennium Commission, the body which distributed funds from the UK National Lottery.
An international design competition attracted 268 international applicants,[7] and was won by Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid. Her avant-garde design was so radical that she and a selection of other applicants were asked to submit revised designs for a second round of competition[8]—which she again won[9] with "a sleek and dazzling complex of sharp lines and surfaces that she compared to an 'inverted necklace'".[10]
In December 1995, the Millennium Commission decided against lottery-money funding for the project.[10] It was suggested that the bid failed because of "the unpopular Conservative government's fear of controversy," favouring the funding of projects perceived as more populist, such as the Millennium Stadium.[11]
Origins of Wales Millennium Centre
After the Cardiff Bay Opera House project was rejected, a new project was conceived that included more than opera and was felt to be a better reflection of Welsh culture. The change of name symbolised this, but the project still had to overcome many hurdles. Funding from the Welsh Assembly and Millennium Commission took years to obtain. Cardiff Council had to buy the land after the previous owners, Grosvenor Waterside (Associated British Ports property division) threatened to build a retail centre there due to the delays.[4][12] Further boosts were given by large donations from South African businessman Donald Gordon and a loan from the international bank, HSBC. The GB£20 million donation from Donald Gordon was split evenly between the Royal Opera House and Wales Millennium Centre and was spread over five years. This is believed to be the largest single private donation ever made to the arts in the UK.[13]
Phase 1 – Donald Gordon Theatre and Weston Studio Theatre
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Inside_Donald_Gordon_Theatre%2C_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg/220px-Inside_Donald_Gordon_Theatre%2C_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg)
In addition to the two main theatres of the Donald Gordon Theatre and Weston Studio Theatre, the 37,000-square-metre (400,000 sq ft) phase 1 of the Wales Millennium Centre also has six function rooms: the Victor Salvi Room, the David Morgan Room, the Sony Room, the Seligman Room, the Japan Room, and the Lloyds Enterprise Suite.[5] The Urdd Gobaith Cymru has a hostel with accommodations for 153 people overnight in en-suite bedrooms, called the Urdd City Sleepover.[14] It also has performance and teaching space in the Urdd Hall/Theatre, with 153 retractable seats.[15]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/NDCWales_Studio_-_The_Blue_Room_%28thumbnail%29.jpg/220px-NDCWales_Studio_-_The_Blue_Room_%28thumbnail%29.jpg)
The building also includes rehearsal rooms, orchestral facilities for the Welsh National Opera, dance studios for Diversions, called The Dance House, and the Blue Room, with seating for up to 100.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Glanfa_Stage_at_the_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg/220px-Glanfa_Stage_at_the_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg)
The foyer has three bars; the Penderyn Awen Foyer Bar on level 2, the Horizons Foyer Bar on level 4, and the Stones Foyer Bar on level 5.[16] ffresh restaurant is also situated in the foyer, along with Crema, which is a coffee shop, Hufen, which is an Ice cream parlour and One, which is a wine bar.[16] Free performances also take place during the day in the foyer on the Glanfa Stage.[17]
Design and construction
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Wales_Millennium_Cente_during_construction%2C_Cardiff_Bay.jpg/220px-Wales_Millennium_Cente_during_construction%2C_Cardiff_Bay.jpg)
The Centre was designed by Jonathan Adams, of local practice Percy Thomas Architects[18] (taken over by Capita Group in 2004[19]), with Arup Acoustics providing the acoustic design and Arup as building engineer. His first concept drawings were made in early 1998,[18] by 1999 his design was starting to look more like the building it is today.
Construction began on 25 February 2002, the main contractor being Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd[20] and Kelsey Roofing Industries Ltd being the roofing contractor.[21] Carr and Angier were the theatre consultants.[22] Other contractors included Stent (foundations), Swansea Institute of Higher Education, now part of University of Wales Trinity Saint David (glass), GH James Cyf (stonemasonry), Rimex (stainless steel), Alfred McAlpine (slate), Coed Cymru (wood), Ann Catrin Evans (door furniture), Amber Hiscott (etchings on glass walls).[22]
The architect's concept of the building was a building that expressed "Welshness" and was instantly recognisable.[22] The building was designed to reflect the many different parts of Wales with local Welsh materials that dominate its history: slate, metal, wood and glass.[23] All the materials used come from Wales; the Centre was built from 1,350 tonnes of Welsh slate, 300,000 concrete blocks, and a million metres of electric cable.[24]
Slate
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Slate_cladding_of_the_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg/170px-Slate_cladding_of_the_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg)
The exterior of the building is clad in multi-coloured slate collected from Welsh slate quarries. Narrow windows are built into the layers of slate to give the impression of rock; strata they depict the different stone layers in sea cliffs. The purple slate came from the Penrhyn Quarry, the blue from Cwt y Bugail Quarry, the green from the Nantlle Valley, the grey from Llechwedd quarry, and the black from the Corris Quarry.[22]
I always loved going to Ogmore and Southerndown. I thought the cliffs there looked like a building anyway. A building capable of withstanding the roughest weather for hundreds of years. The older they get, the better they look. I wondered if it would be possible to make a building which had the same qualities as these magnificent cliffs. To do that I needed a lot of stone. Normal stone for buildings has to be specially cut into blocks; it takes a long time to make and costs a fortune. But in north Wales the historic slate industry has left behind whole mountains of waste stone that no-one wants. This was stone cut from the mountainside for nearly two hundred years but which wasn’t good enough to make roof slates. Over 90% was thrown away. But it was ideal for making walls like the one I had in mind... —architect Jonathan Adams [25]
Metal
The Centre's main feature, the bronze coloured dome which covers the Donald Gordon Theatre, is clad in steel that was treated with copper oxide. It was designed to withstand the weather conditions on the Cardiff Bay waterfront and will look increasingly better with age. The architect, Jonathan Adams, decided not to use copper and aluminium as they would both change colour with age and weather conditions.[22]
We all know that steel making has been important to south Wales, just as slate making has changed the landscape of the north. We have to use a special type of steel that won’t go rusty near to the salt-laden, maritime air of Cardiff Bay. This stainless steel will be made near to Pontypool. For the Wales Millennium Centre I thought it was important that the materials should have a "natural" texture, and that they should be instantly recognisable to anyone seeing them, even from a distance. For this reason I felt it was important that the steel of the shell should have the rough grain and the riveted pattern that we think of as more typical of old industrial structures, such as those that used to be commonplace around the landscape of the industrial south. —architect Jonathan Adams[26]
Wood
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Inside_The_Millennium_Centre_Cardiff.jpg/220px-Inside_The_Millennium_Centre_Cardiff.jpg)
Both inside and outside the building, including the main Donald Gordon Theatre, the balconies and the rear of the building, is dominated by bands of hardwood lining the walls.[22]
Like the exterior of the building, the principal internal spaces are designed to make the best use of natural materials in their natural state. The structure and detail of the concourse galleries echo the form of the exterior, with the curving strata formed in native hardwoods. Oak, ash, beech, sycamore, alder, birch, chestnut and cherry woods from renewable sources in mid-Wales will be used together in proportions that reflect their relative availability from the forest. The design of the concourse galleries is intended to evoke the image of the edge of the forest, partly as a counterpoint to the coastal nature of the exterior, and partly because the edge of the forest in folklore and mythology represents a line between the real world and the magical world, a line which resembles the front edge of the theatre stage. The form of trees is created by the interweaving curvature of the gallery edges, and by the random positioning of the supporting columns. —architect Jonathan Adams [27]
Glass
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/WMC_Window.jpg/220px-WMC_Window.jpg)
Glass was used to incorporate into the bands of slate. The glass is 15-centimetre (5.9 in) thick and was cut and installed by the Architectural Glass Department at Swansea Institute of Higher Education. Glass is not used in the contemporary British architectural style of the glass curtain.[22]
Jonathan Adams said, "The glass veins in the external walls of the Wales Millennium Centre make use of conventional glass in a unique way: the sheets of glass are stacked together and fused in a kiln to form solid blocks."[28]
Calligraphy
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/MillenniumCentre.jpg/220px-MillenniumCentre.jpg)
The inscription in the front of the building in Welsh reads:
CREU GWIR
FEL GWYDR
O FFWRNAIS AWEN
([Creating Truth Like Glass From Inspiration's Furnace] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)).[29]
The inscription in English reads:
IN THESE STONES
HORIZONS
SING
Inscribed on the front of the dome, above the main entrance, are two poetic lines, written by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis in the Welsh and English languages. The lettering is formed by windows in the upstairs bar areas and is internally illuminated at night.[22]
The idea of this monumental inscription comes from Roman classical architecture. The Romans brought Christianity to these islands, along with the custom of engraving stone. The form of the Celtic cross embodies the cross-fertilisation of indigenous and Roman cultures, from which the Welsh nation first emerged. The monumental inscription is a familiar feature of Roman architecture. The inscription over the entrance of the Wales Millennium Centre is a revival of this classical tradition, and also a recognition of the formative influence of Roman culture upon our nation. We’re lucky to have two languages; one that we share with half the world and one which belongs just to us. Words in songs, stories and poems have helped to make Wales the proud country that it is. —architect Jonathan Adams[30]
Gwyneth Lewis said of the inscription:
I wanted the words to reflect the architecture of the building. Its copper dome reminded me of the furnaces from Wales's industrial heritage and also Ceridwen's cauldron, from which the early poet Taliesin received his inspiration ('awen'). Awen suggests both poetic inspiration and the general creative vision by which people and societies form their aspirations. [...] It was important to me that the English words on the building should not simply be a translation of the Welsh, that they should have their own message. The strata of the slate frontage of the Wales Millennium Centre reminded me of the horizons just beyond Penarth Head. The sea has, traditionally, been for Cardiff the means by which the Welsh export their best to the world and the route by which the world comes to Cardiff. The stones inside the theatre literally sing with opera, musicals and orchestral music, and I wanted to convey the sense of an international space created by the art of music. —Gwyneth Lewis[31]
"In These Stones Horizons Sing" is also an orchestral work, which was composed by Karl Jenkins, and commissioned by the Wales Millennium Centre for the opening of the Centre.
Opening weekend ceremony
The building was officially opened on the weekend of the 26, 27 and 28 November 2004. The ceremony was organised by Bryn Terfel, the creative director of the whole opening weekend.[32]
Day 1 – 26 November 2004
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Plaque_at_the_WMC%2C_Cardiff.jpg/220px-Plaque_at_the_WMC%2C_Cardiff.jpg)
The day started with a speech from Lord Rowe-Beddoe, chairman of Wales Millennium Centre, who declared to the crowd that the proceedings were under way.[32] This was followed by a speech from Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister, who stressed that the new arts centre belonged to the whole nation, that it was for all of the people of Wales and not just for the elite.[32]
The building was opened by Janet Thickpenny, a young mother from Barry, who was chosen because her 40th birthday coincided with that of the opening day.[33] A human chain delivered the symbolic key, designed and cast by Ann Catrin Evans, to Janet with a fanfare from the National Youth Brass Band of Wales to a Karl Jenkins specially commissioned work In These Stones Horizons Sing and the Centre was open.[32]
The evening celebrations began with Cymru for the World, which celebrated the achievements of five leading Welsh artists; Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Bassey, Siân Phillips, Alun Hoddinott and Richard Burton, represented by his daughter Kate Burton. This included tributes from Robert Hardy, Jonathan Pryce, Derek Jacobi, Nana Mouskouri, Catrin Finch, Ruth Madoc and Ian McKellen.[32][34] The concert was directed by Ken Caswell and conducted by David Charles Abell.
Bryn Terfel started off with a short speech and introduced the Wales Millennium Centre singers and dancers, who in hard hats and donkey jackets sang and danced the story of the construction of the building. They were later joined by all 322 participants in a chorus,[32] including Gwyn Hughes Jones, Bryn Terfel and Dennis O'Neill sang a duet from Pearl Fishers. Diversions performed a new ballet based on one of Alun Hoddinott’s works. The Welsh National Opera performed the final scene of Beethoven's Fidelio in their new home. The evening ranged across all musical types from popular to classical.[32]
Day 2 – 27 November 2004
The second day was an open door for the public to explore the Centre with a continuous stream of people filling through the building from early morning until the fireworks display out in the Roald Dahl Plass.[32]
Day 3 – 28 November 2004
The final day of the opening weekend began with the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and the Prince of Wales who met First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Lord Rowe-Beddoe, and marked the event by unveiling a plaque.[32] Philip Madoc, Siân Phillips, Gaby Roslin, Michael Ball, Charlotte Church, Catrin Finch and Only Men Aloud! were among the artists that entertained the audience during the first act. The second act was opened by the Welsh National Opera and later the Kirov Ballet and Cirque Éloize entertained the audience.[32] Bryn Terfel ended the celebrations.[32]
Phase 2 (C Bay) – BBC Hoddinott Hall
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Hoddinott_Hall_WMC.jpg/220px-Hoddinott_Hall_WMC.jpg)
Phase 2 of the Centre is home to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) and the BBC National Chorus of Wales.[3] BBC NOW moved from Studio 1 at Broadcasting House in Llandaff, which the orchestra had outgrown since the late 1960s.[35] Phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert performed by the BBC NOW and conducted by Thierry Fischer.[36] Phase 2 includes the 350 seater BBC Hoddinott Hall (Welsh: Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC),[37] also known simply as Hoddinott Hall, which is named after the late Welsh classical composer Alun Hoddinott CBE (August 11, 1929 – March 12, 2008),[38] and the Grace Williams Studio, which is named after another Welsh composer, Grace Williams (February 19, 1906 – February 10, 1977), and is used as a centre for education and outreach work.[39] Phase 2 also has space for practice rooms, a music library, backstage facilities,[40] it also provides a four-storey office space for Wales Millennium Centre and the Arts Council of Wales.[41]
Design and construction
The original plans for the Centre were that it would have a concert hall,[42] however the final design of phase 1 did not include one. Space had been left, though, for a concert hall to be built in the future when phase 1 of the Centre was opened in 2004, and construction on phase 2 was then due to begin early in 2005.[43] However, construction of phase 2 did not actually begin until April 2007.[44] Phase 2 was designed to fit into the Centre’s curved slate frontage, with an upper part constructed from timber.[42]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Hoddinott_doors_WMC_001.jpg/220px-Hoddinott_doors_WMC_001.jpg)
Phase 2 of the Centre was designed by the then newly qualified Tim Green and Keith Vince of Capita Architecture, formerly called Capita Percy Thomas and now part of Capita Symonds, with Arup Acoustics again providing the acoustic design.[45] The main contractor was again Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd,[46] with MJN Colston Ltd responsible for the design and installation of all the mechanical, electrical and public health services in the building.[47] Other subcontractors on the project included URS Corporation, Davis Langdon and Hulley & Kirkwood.[48]
Tim Green said of the building that the exterior of the building was designed to be in keeping with the existing Wales Millennium Centre, while the interior had a theme all its own. "The concept behind the design of the interior of Hoddinott Hall was that of a traditional Welsh chapel."[49] "The timber treatment at low level is very reminiscent of Victorian chapels and the masonry above. The stonework you would normally get in a stone chapel has been replaced by concrete."[50]
During the design and construction period, the project name for phase 2 was C Bay.[47][48] Construction of phase 2 began in April 2007,[44] and ended when the keys to the building were handed over at an official ceremony in September 2008,[51] and the beginning of the fitting out of the BBC Hoddinott Hall by BBC Wales.[52]
Opening Festival
To commemorate the opening of the BBC Hoddinott Hall an inaugural concert took place on 22 January 2009. It was part of the Opening Festival which took place between 22 January and 1 February 2009.[53] The concert was performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and was conducted by Thierry Fischer. The concert included the world premiere of St Vitus in the Kettle by Simon Holt, the orchestra’s composer in association, who took over from Michael Berkeley. The BBC Hoddinott Hall was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 31 January 2009, where he unveiled a plaque.[54]
Resident organisations
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Back_of_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg/220px-Back_of_Wales_Millennium_Centre.jpg)
The Wales Millennium Centre is home to nine arts organisations:
- Literature Wales - The Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society For Writers
- National Dance Company Wales - previously known as Diversions - the Dance Company of Wales
- Hijinx Theatre - a theatre company that promotes community work, aiming to bring together people of all ages
- Touch Trust - providing educational touch and movement therapies to people with profound disabilities and autism
- Tŷ Cerdd - music information centre for amateur and professional musicians, including the Welsh Music Information Centre, Welsh Amateur Music Federation, National Youth Arts Wales and Cyfansoddwyr Cymru (Composers of Wales)[55]
- Urdd Gobaith Cymru (The Welsh League of Youth) - the Welsh language youth movement
- Welsh National Opera - an international touring opera company
- BBC National Orchestra of Wales - The only professional national symphony orchestra for Wales
- Arts Council of Wales - The body responsible for funding and developing the arts in Wales
It is also home to the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre.
Corporate financing and rebranding
The total cost of phase 1 of the project was £106.2 million. The National Lottery Millennium Fund provided £31.7 million, a further £37 million came from The National Assembly for Wales and £10.4 million was donated by the Arts Council of Wales.[22] In addition a private investor, South African businessman Donald Gordon donated £20 million to be shared equally between the Royal Opera House and the Wales Millennium Centre. The Centre also received a £13.5 million loan from HSBC. The remaining funds for the project came from a major sponsorship deal with the Principality Building Society.[22] The Weston Studio is named after the Garfield Weston Foundation which funds the Glanfa Stage, and is located on Level 1 of the Centre.[56] The Centre has many corporations and public bodies who provide sponsorship to the Centre.[57]
The National Assembly for Wales announced on 6 November 2007 that it was to pay off the outstanding loan of £13.5 million from HSBC and also increase the annual funding. From April 2008, the National Assembly for Wales have given a grant to the Wales Millennium Centre with £3.5 million per annum for 3 years.[58] This would only repay the capital debt and not any ongoing operating loss as the Centre remains profitable. The money used to pay the debt came from unallocated funds from the Assembly's previous budget and it was said by the Minister for Heritage, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, that the new money allocation would not come at the expense of other art projects from other parts of Wales.[59]
The cost of phase 2 of the project was approximately £18 million, however the BBC does not own the building, they have leased it for 25 years from the Lime Property Fund, which is a subsidiary of Aviva Investors.[1] The building was built by Concert Bay Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Sir Robert McAlpine Enterprises Ltd who co-funded the scheme along with Lime Property Fund.[47][60]
In November 2006, Wales Millennium Centre announced that they would begin a two phase rebranding project. The project was won by a local Cardiff company, Sweet. The first phase of the project involved a new corporate logo, the second phase included the complete redesign of other marketing tools, such as brochures and advertisements.[61]
In popular culture
Doctor Who and Torchwood
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Cardiff_Rift_%28Doctor_Who%29.jpg/220px-Cardiff_Rift_%28Doctor_Who%29.jpg)
The Centre has made numerous appearances in film and television including Doctor Who, whose modern era is produced locally by BBC Wales. It has appeared seven times to date: as itself from outside in the episode "Boom Town",[62] its marquee momentarily at the end of the episode "Bad Wolf", its lobby as a hospital lobby in the far future in the episode "New Earth",[63] and again in "The Girl Who Waited",.[64] It also appeared briefly in the episodes "Utopia" and "The Stolen Earth", and also in the final episode of series 3, "Last of the Time Lords".[65]
The spin-off series Torchwood, has its headquarters, known as "The Hub", set underneath the Water Tower, Roald Dahl Plass,[66] with the Wales Millennium Centre's frontage featuring heavily through the show.
Jones Jones Jones
On 3 November 2006, a record breaking attempt to gather the most people with the same surname, Jones, took place in the Centre under the show banner Jones Jones Jones, filmed for television by S4C. The record was broken with 1,224 Joneses filling the Donald Gordon Theatre.[67] The previous record was set in Sweden in 2004 when 583 people gathered who had the same surname of Norberg.[68]
Gavin & Stacey
Episode 1 of the second series of BBC TV show Gavin & Stacey was filmed in the Wales Millennium Centre. The centre was supposed to be an airport.[69]
References
Notes
- ^ a b c Morrison, Richard. "Hoddinott Hall, a playground in finest oak". London: The Times. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
- ^ "Wales Millennium Centre - A landmark building for the performing arts in Wales". National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
- ^ a b c "Resident Organisations - Organisations working within Wales Millennium Centre". Wales Millennium Centre. Archived from the original on 2009-02-16. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Plans to sell Millennium Centre site". BBC. 2000-11-02. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ a b "Function rooms". Wales Millennium Centre. Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Entertainment". American Airlines. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Barber, Lynn (2008-03-09). "Zaha Hadid". London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ "A monumental spot of local trouble". CNET Networks, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Diva Zaha steals the show in Cardiff Bay". Building Design. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ a b Darnton, John (1995-12-25). "Britain Rejects Welsh Opera's Plea for Financing". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ Review by Raymund Ryan of "Opera House Lottery: Zaha Hadid and the Cardiff Bay Project by Nicholas Crickhowell". Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) at Metropolis in Review, April 1988 - ^ "Wales Millennium Centre site 'saved'". BBC. 2000-09-29. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Donald Gordon donates £20 million to Royal Opera and Wales Millennium Centre". Donald Gordon Foundation. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "The Centre". Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Retrieved 2011-07-17.
- ^ "Theatrical Productions". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ a b "Eat, drink, shop". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Enjoy free performances". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b "Building for the Nation". BBC Wales. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
- ^ Gates, C. PFI fells Welsh giant Building Design, Issue 1630, June 18, 2004, p.1
- ^ "Work starts on Wales Millennium Centre". goholidays.net. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Wales Millennium Centre roof windload analysis". Ramboll Whitbybird Limited. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Wales Millennium Centre". SPG Media Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "Vision - Unmistakably Welsh and internationally outstanding". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Kennedy, Maev (2004-11-27). "Arts opening is moment of national pride for Wales". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Stone". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Metal". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Wood". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Glass". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Wales Millennium Centre". gwynethlewis.com. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
- ^ "Calligraphy". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "In These Stones Horizons Sing". www.gwynethlewis.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "The opening of the Wales Millennium Centre". Theatre in Wales. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
- ^ "Arts lovers' key role in opening". BBC News. 2004-11-26. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
- ^ "Beginning at the beginning". BBC News. 2004-11-27. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
- ^ "New BBC concert hall broadcasts inaugural performance". Arup. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
- ^ "Inaugural Concert". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2008-10-05. [dead link]
- ^ "Alun Hoddinott (1929-2008)". Music & Vision. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Alun Hoddinott (Composer)". The Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Pupils help to launch BBC Orchestra's new home". Media Wales. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "BBC Cymru Wales Annual Review 2006/2007" (PDF). BBC. Retrieved 2008-04-12. [dead link]
- ^ "BBC Hoddinott Hall". Sir Robert McAlpine. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ a b Driver, Paul (2009-02-01). "Hoddinott Hall is new patriotic music venue". London: The Times. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Official opening of the Wales Millennium Centre". Capita Symonds. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ a b "Orchestra gets keys to new home". BBC. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "BBC National Orchestra gets new home". Capita Symonds. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "Work underway on WMC's new addition". Capita Symonds. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ a b c "C Bay, Cardiff". MJN Colston. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ a b "Project Title: C Bay (Recording & Rehearsal Concert Hall)". Hulley & Kirkwood. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ "In pictures: BBC Hoddinott Hall (picture 5)". BBC. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "BBC orchestra moves into new home". BBC. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Orchestra's New Home Complete". Sir Robert McAlpine. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "New BBC concert hall broadcasts inaugural performance". Arup. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "BBC National Orchestra of Wales Announce Opening at New Venue". Arts Council of Wales. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ "Prince hails new hall a 'triumph'". BBC. 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ "About Us "To support, promote and provide an information resource for the music of Wales."". Welsh Music Information Centre. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ "Weston Studio". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
- ^ "Corporate Support". Wales Millennium Centre. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
- ^ "Wales Millennium Centre". Welsh Assembly Government. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ "The Wales Millennium Centre, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, the Minister for Heritage". Welsh Assembly Government. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
- ^ "UK: Lime Fund acquires Bath University student accommodation". Aviva. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "01-04-07 Wales Millennium Centre". www.sweetcreative.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ "Boom Town - location guide". BBC. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- ^ "Doctor Who New Earth location guide". BBC. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- ^ "Doctor Who The Locations Guide". www.doctorwholocations.net. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
- ^ "Last of the Time Lords ...Assistant Director Paul Bennett auditions for the TARDIS crew (outside the Wales Millennium Centre". BBC. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- ^ "'The Hub' - Roald Dahl Plass". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ "1,224 Joneses have broken the world record!". UHMedia*. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Joneses break same surname record". BBC. 2006-11-04. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- ^ "In pictures: Gavin and Stacey (picture 10)". BBC. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Wales Millennium Centre official website
- Wales Millennium Centre on the BBC Wales website
- Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre
- Wales Millennium Centre on the Welsh Assembly Government website
- Wales Millennium Centre (phase 1) on the Sir Robert McAlpine website
- BBC Hoddinott Hall (phase 2) on the Sir Robert McAlpine website
- C Bay (BBC Hoddinott Hall phase 2) on the MJN Colston website
- Jonathan Adams, architect, discusses the Wales Millennium Centre
- Hoddinott Hall on the Architects' Journal website
- Arup
- Arts centres in Cardiff
- Buildings and structures completed in 2004
- Buildings and structures celebrating the third millennium
- Music venues in Cardiff
- Opera houses in Wales
- Dance venues in Wales
- Landmarks in Cardiff
- Tourist attractions in Cardiff
- Redevelopment projects in Cardiff
- Percy Thomas buildings
- Exhibition and conference centres in the United Kingdom
- BBC Cymru Wales
- Theatres in Cardiff
- Performing arts centres in Wales
- 2004 establishments in Wales