Adelina Patti Theatre

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Listed Grade I for its outstanding architectural character and extreme rarity as a private theatre attached to a country house. Group value with other listed items in the complex. History: Theatre was constructed in 1890 by Bucknall and Jennings of Swansea with decoration by the famous London plasterers Jackson and Sons of Kensington, part of a large extension to a mid C19 mansion built for the famous opera singer Adelina Patti following her acquisition of the property in 1879 (see history of Craig-y-nos for more details). Plan is a small version of the Bayreuth theatre and seats 150. Stage retains side flats of painted garden scenery by Steinhardt and curtain drop by Hawes Craven depicting Madame Patti as Semiramide. At the opening in 1891 Madame Patti performed extracts of La Traviata and Faust. Originally there was a balcony along the back (S). Exterior: Attached to NW side of main house and adjoining the clock tower, its frontage forming the N side of the main entrance courtyard. The theatre frontage is, like much of the Patti extensions, of contrasting coursed red sandstone and pale ashlar dressings, with slate roof incorporating a glazed and louvred ventilator. Facade has pilasters with triglyph frieze, cornice and pierced parapet, small central doorway with pediment. To right over the full height remodelled main entrance doorway and window is a raised stucco panel depicting cherubs, swags and musical trophies with decorative side pilasters supporting a small pediment surmounted by a figure holding a tambourine. To the side the masonry is coarser, snecked rockfaced sandstone, pale lower courses, yellow brick dressings, part rendered. Tall fly tower has hipped roof with separate ventilator; access for scenery and workshops below; windows hav

From Cadw under OGL v3.