Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama[1] (the National Conservatoire of Wales) was established in 1949 as Cardiff College of Music. Originally it operated from 18 rooms in Cardiff Castle and opened on Monday September 19th 1949.[2]

The name Welsh College of Music and Drama was adopted in 1970.[3]

The need for new premises was identified in the early 1960s, and it was reported in December 1962 that the existing accommodation in the Castle was no longer adequate, owing to the growth of the College, and the increasing use of the Castle for other public and private functions. The Parks Committee agreed in principle that a site in Bute Park could be used for a new College building, subject to the approval also of the Marquis of Bute.[4] In February 1963 the Committee approved a 1.4 acre site proposed by the City Architect.[5] The scheme was expanded in 1967 to include a National Theatre for Wales[6] and the ground eventually appropriated to the Education Committee in 1970 comprised approximately 1.9 acres of the Castle Grounds, opposite College Road.[7]

The College prospectus for 1973-74 included the following paragraph: "A new College building, comprising Studio Theatre, Teaching Block and Concert Hall is now being built in Bute Park, Cardiff, and the College will vacate the Cardiff Castle premises as soon as the new building is completed. The Studio Theatre already occupied by the Drama Department of the College is acknowledged as one of the finest in the country."[8]

The new building, later named after College Principal Raymond Edwards, was designed by the Cardiff City Architect John Dryburgh.[9] On 24th June 1977, in a ceremony in the Bute Theatre, the building was officially opened by the Queen, who unveiled a plaque commemorating the event.[10]

Plaque commemorating the official opening in 1977

Plaque commemorating the official opening in 1977

In 1997/98 the Welsh College of Music and Drama acquired the Castle Mews, now called the Anthony Hopkins Centre, for additional performance and teaching space.

The College's Royal title was awarded in 2002 in the Queen's Golden Jubilee, making it the fifth conservatoire to be awarded this title.[11]

In 2007 an international competition to design a major extension to the Raymond Edwards building was won by architects Bogle, Flanagan, Lawrence, Silver (BFLS).[12] The approved design extended the existing building eastward towards North Road, northward over existing college land adjacent to Fishers Bridge, and west into an area of unmanaged woodland in the custodianship of the Cardiff Council.[13]

This work was completed in June 2011. Costing £22.5M, the development included two new performance venues - Richard Burton Theatre (seating 180 people) and Dora Stoutzker Hall (seating 400 people) - new rehearsal studios and a new front of house area.[14] This new foyer overlooks part of the Bute Park Arboretum and gives spectacular views into the park.

The re-modelled building was opened on June 23rd 2011 by Kate Burton.[15][16]

Southerly view along Dock Feeder Canal to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Southerly view along Dock Feeder Canal to the College   (February 2012)
Photograph ©Ben Salter

View accross North Road to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

View accross North Road to Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (August 2017)

Sources of information

  1. Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama home page
  2. The Times Tuesday September 20th 1949 page 2
  3. The Times Tuesday May 12th 1970 page 10
  4. Meeting of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 17th December 1962
  5. Meeting of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 25th February 1963
  6. Meetings of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 18th September 1967 & 20th November 1967
  7. Meeting of the Parks Committee 8th June 1970
  8. Welsh College of Music and Drama, Prospectus 1973-74, available at Cathays Branch and Heritage Library, Cardiff
  9. John Newman, Glamorgan (The Buildings of Wales Series), Yale University Press, 2004. page 232
  10. South Wales Echo Friday June 24th 1977 page 2
  11. Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on Wikipedia
  12. Design Commission for Wales: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
  13. Cardiff County Council Planning Committee. List of Development Applications for Consideration by the Planning Committee on 17th September [2008], page 278
  14. BBC News: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama revamp unveiled
  15. The Guardian: Final countdown begins for new £22.5m city centre arts venue opening
  16. Broadway World: Kate Burton to Open Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama's NYC Showcase