Wyvern Theatre


The Wyvern Theatre is a 635-seat indoor auditorium in Swindon, England, opened in September 1971. It is owned by Swindon Borough Council and operated by Trafalgar Entertainment.
In March 2019, Swindon Borough Council stated the building was likely to reach the end of its life by 2027, when its operations contract ends. Representative Dale Heenan cautioned that structural and maintenance reports showed the theatre required major investment.
In November 2023, the authority suggested the site of a new venue could be the town's bus station, as it was slated for demolition. In September 2024, proposals were released for a new multi-purpose theatre with increased capacity on the bus station site. Proposals have outlined that the existing Wyvern Theatre will be retained, but repurposed as a performing space for community arts groups.
WWW swindontheatres.co.uk

History

The theatre was built in 1968–71 by Casson, Conder and Partners as part of Swindon Civic Centre. It is named after the mythical wyvern which was once the emblem of the kings of Wessex.
The building was opened on 7 September 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The first performance was by a Ukrainian dance company.
On 3 September 2006, it closed temporarily after the discovery of traces of asbestos in the venue's offices and roof void during a routine inspection. It remained closed until September 2007 and the opportunity was taken to refurbish the venue, bringing new decor, bars, cafés, disabled entrances and new seating at a total cost of £1.3 million. In March 2020, the venue closed again temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remaining closed until between August and September 2021.
The Wyvern was one of 11 venues in England managed by HQ Theatres, a company which was acquired by Trafalgar Entertainment in March 2021.

Management companies

  • 1971–1994 – Wyvern Arts Trust Ltd
  • 1994–2001 – Apollo Leisure – General Manager Ted Doan
  • 2001–2002 – SFX Venues – General Manager Ted Doan
  • 2002–2005 – Clear Channel Entertainment – General Manager Ted Doan, Andrew Lister
  • 2005–2007 – Hetherington Seelig Theatres Ltd. – General Manager Nick Shaw, Darren Edwards, Andrew Hill
  • 2007–2021 – HQ Theatres, a joint venture between H.S.T Ltd and Qdos Entertainment – Theatre Director Derek Aldridge, Laura James
  • Since 2021 – Trafalgar Entertainment - Theatre Director Laura James

Pantomimes

Awards

  • 2015 – Venue of the Year Award at the annual HQ Theatre awards
  • 2016 – Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
  • 2017 – Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
  • 2017 – UK Theatre's Most Welcoming Venue in the South West
  • 2017 – Muddy Stilettos Best Theatre in the South West
  • 2018 – Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
  • 2019 – Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence

Summer Youth Project