Stiwt Theatr

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: Listed at grade II* as an exceptionally fine and well-detailed former Miners Institute, with a rich decorative order both externally and in the main auditorium; it retains much of its original character and layout. History: The Institute was built 1924-26, designed by John Owen of Wrexham and F.A.Roberts of Mold. As originally designed, the building was intended to house a main auditorium, with reading room, games room, billiard room and assembly hall and a small flat: as built, the flat was replaced by a library. In the 1930 s, the auditorium became a cinema, and fixed seating was installed. The Institute closed in 1977, but was under renovation at time of inspection, October 1995. Exterior: Inter-war Baroque style. Red brick with pale freestone dressings, reinforced concrete construction. Slate roofs. Plan comprises main auditorium range with entrance foyer and offices, the roof stepped up over fly tower to rear; hipped roofed wing to NW, housing former library etc; and billiard room and assembly hall to rear. Entrance front has 2 storeyed, 5-bay facade with advanced outer bays. These are stressed by rusticated pilasters, and each has curved pediment with modillion cornice and stepped blocking course. 6-panelled door with overlight in moulded and lugged architrave to ground floor, and round-arched window with radial glazing and moulded architrave with apron above. Central block has coupled Doric columns to 3-bay entrance porch, with beaded frieze to architrave and balustraded parapet. Main paired panelled doors flanked by narrow windows with latticed glazing. Central round-arched window flanked by 9-pane sash windows, all in lugged moulded architraves. Modillion cornice and balustraded parapet. Steep pyramidal roof surmounted by timber clock cu

From Cadw under OGL v3.