ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre’s Theatr y Werin will officially reopen this week, following extensive refurbishment.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the minister for culture, reopened the theatre today.

Theatr y Werin closed its doors on 3 April for the £750,000 project, in which the venue underwent its first comprehensive electrical upgrade since it opened in 1972.

Funded by Aberystwyth University, the work included a new production lighting system fitted along with energy saving lighting and a self-testing emergency lighting system.

New seating and carpets have also been installed in the 300-seater auditorium.

Dafydd Rhys, director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre said: “We’re very pleased that Theatr y Werin is back in action again, and we’ve had a hugely positive reaction both from audiences and from theatre companies performing on the stage here. Aberystwyth University’s commitment to investing in the Arts Centre sees the theatre set up for the next 20 years and enables us to continue to programme the very best of work from Wales and internationally here in Aberystwyth.”

The Arts Centre continued to provide entertainment throughout the closure with a summer season of events taking circus in a big tent on Chapel Green, as well as shows in the Great Hall and the Round Studio.

The arts centre’s first-ever outdoor cinema screening also took place on Chapel Green with a showing of ‘The Lion King’.

Speaking about the investment in to Theatr y Werin, Carol Nixon from the Friends of the Arts Centre said: “Friends of the Arts Centre are very pleased indeed that Theatr y Werin is receiving this tremendous vote of confidence.

“We are grateful to the university that, in these difficult times, it is recognised that we need to invest in the future of the arts.

“Imagine Aberystwyth Arts Centre without its theatre.”

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