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Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre () is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of . Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert. The centre has hosted performances of opera, ballet, dance, comedy and musicals.
The venue, which also has a nickname locally as the Armadillo, comprises one large theatre and two smaller halls. It also includes shops, bars and restaurants. The Centre is home to the national opera, dance, theatre and literature companies of Wales, as well as the national orchestra. In total, the Centre has eight arts organisations in residence. The main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre, holds 1,897 people, the BBC Hoddinott Hall holds 350 people and the Weston Studio Theatre holds 250 people. In 2001 Lord Rowe-Beddoe was appointed the Chairman of Wales Millennium Centre, which is a company limited by guarantee, and he remains in this post today. Sir Michael Checkland is also a Board member. BackgroundCardiff Bay Opera HouseThe Centre is the successor to a previous project on the site, the Cardiff Bay Opera House. This was a plan, supported by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, to construct a permanent home for the Welsh National Opera. However, the project failed to win financial support from the Millennium Commission, the body which distributed funds from the UK National Lottery.International competitionAn international design competition was established by the Cardiff Bay Opera House Trust to decide on the architect for the project. The competition would eventually be in two rounds. The first round of the competition attracted 268 international competitors. The list of architectural practices that took part in the competition included Itsuko Hasegawa, Mario Botta, Rem Koolhaas, Rafael Moneo, Manfredi Nicoletti, Pietro Marcozzi Architect, Rusli Associates, Percy Thomas Partnership and Greg Lynn FORM. It was won by Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid. Her avant-garde design was radical glass structure that surrounded the main theatre. However, her design was so radical that Lord Crickhowell as chair of the Cardiff Bay Opera House Trust, asked Hadid to submit her design again along with Norman Foster + Partners and Manfredi Nicoletti, who were asked to submit revised designs, for a second round of competition. But she won this round too.AftermathThe decision by Millennium Commission to reject the bid for lottery money was announced on 22 December 1995. Many claim that the bid failed because of the widespread unpopularity of the Millennium Commission's support for the Royal Opera House in London, which was seen as elitist. Others say that the project was destroyed by conservatism and provincialism in relation to the modern architecture, and by Cardiff Council's support for the Millennium Stadium.Virginia Bottomley, Secretary of State for National Heritage, announced in a news conference that the project was flawed by uncertainties in the building's financing and construction, which made it the project too risky. Lord Crickhowell interrupted that news conference to denounce the rejection. He said the decision was "...shocking and incomprehensible...If this had been a project in London, it would be getting backing...You can understand the annoyance of people in Wales that we can't get the kind of vitally important projects that London seems to be allowed." Origins of Wales Millennium CentreAfter the Cardiff Bay Opera House project was rejected, a new project was conceived that included more than opera and was felt to be a better reflection of Welsh culture. The change of name symbolised this, but the project still had to overcome many hurdles. Funding from the Welsh Assembly and Millennium Commission took years to obtain. Cardiff Council had to buy the land after the previous owners, Grosvenor Waterside (Associated British Ports property division) threatened to built a retail centre there due to the delays. Further boosts were given by large donations from South African businessman Donald Gordon and a loan from the international bank, HSBC. The GB£20 million donation from Donald Gordon was split evenly between the Royal Opera House and Wales Millennium Centre and was spread over five years. This is believed to be the largest single private donation ever made to the arts in the UK.Phase 1 – Donald Gordon Theatre and Weston Studio Theatre The 1999 sketch of the Wales Millennium Centre by Jonathan Adams The building also includes rehearsal rooms, orchestral facilities for the Welsh National Opera, dance studios for Diversions, called The Dance House, and the Blue Room, with seating for up to 100. The foyer has three bars; the Penderyn Awen Foyer Bar on level 2, the Horizons Foyer Bar on level 4, and the Stones Foyer Bar on level 5. Gilby's @ the Bay, which is a restaurant, is also situated in the foyer, along Crema, which is a coffee shop, Hufen, which is an Ice cream parlour and One, which is a wine bar. Free performances also take place during the day in the foyer on the Glanfa Stage. Design and constructionThe Centre was designed by Jonathan Adams, of local architects, Capita Percy Thomas, with Arup Acoustics providing the acoustic design and Arup as building engineer. His first concept drawings were made in the early 1998, by 1999 his design was starting to look more like the building it is today. During construction of phase 1 The architect's concept of the building was to design a building that expressed "Welshness" and that was instantly recognisable. The building was designed to reflect the many different parts of Wales with local Welsh materials that dominate its history; slate, metal, wood and glass. All the materials used come from Wales and was built from 1,350 tonnes of Welsh slate, 300,000 concrete blocks, a million metres of electric cable. Slate Slate: Multi-coloured layers of slate
Metal Metal: Copper oxide coated sheet steel
Woodthumb|Wood: Used on the balconies in the foyerBoth inside and outside the building, including the main Donald Gordon theatre, the balconies and the rear of the building, is dominated by bands of hardwood lining the walls.
Glass Glass: Bands of glass from the inside Jonathan Adams said, "The glass veins in the external walls of the Wales Millennium Centre make use of conventional glass in a unique way: the sheets of glass are stacked together and fused in a kiln to form solid blocks." CalligraphyInscribed on the front of the dome, above the main entrance, are two poetic lines, written by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis. The Welsh version is Creu Gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen, which means "Creating truth like glass from the furnace of inspiration". The English is In These Stones Horizons Sing. The lettering is formed by windows in the upstairs bar areas and are internally illuminated at night. Calligraphy: Internal windows in bar area thumb|left|Wales Millennium Centre at night Creu Gwir Fel Gwydr O Ffwrnais AwenOf the inscription, Gwyneth Lewis said:
 and In These Stones Horizons Sing (English) In These Stones Horizons SingOf the inscription, Gwyneth Lewis said:"In These Stones Horizons Sing" is also an orchestral work, which was composed by Karl Jenkins, and commissioned by the Wales Millennium Centre for the opening of the Centre on 29 November 2004. Opening weekend celebrationsThe building was officially opened on the weekend of the 26, 27 and 28 November 2004. The ceremony was organised by Bryn Terfel, the creative director of the whole opening weekend.Day 1 – 26 November 2004thumb|Plaque to commemorate the opening of the Wales Millennium CentreThe day started with a speech from Lord Rowe-Beddoe, chairman of Wales Millennium Centre, who declared to the crowd that the proceedings were underway. This was followed by a speech from Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister, who stressed that the new arts centre belonged to the whole nation, that it was for all of the people of Wales and not just for the elite. The building was opened by Janet Thickpenny, a young mother from Barry, who was chosen because her on her 40th birthday coincided with that of the opening day. A human chain delivered the symbolic key, designed and cast by Ann Catrin Evans, to Janet with a fanfare from the National Youth Brass Band of Wales to a Karl Jenkins specially commissioned work In These Stones Horizons Sing and the Centre was open. The evening celebrations began with Cymru for the World, which celebrated the achievements of five leading Welsh artists; Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Bassey, Siân Phillips and the late Alun Hoddinott and Richard Burton, represented by his daughter Kate Burton. This included tributes from Robert Hardy, Jonathan Pryce, Derek Jacobi, Nana Mouskouri, Catrin Finch, Ruth Madoc and Ian McKellen. Bryn Terfel started off with a short speech and introduced the Wales Millennium Centre singers and dancers, who in hard hats and donkey jackets sang and danced the story of the construction of the building. They were later joined by all 322 participants in a chorus, including Gwyn Hughes Jones, Bryn Terfel and Dennis O'Neill sang a duet from Pearl Fishers. Diversions performed a new ballet based on one of Alun Hoddinott’s works. The Welsh National Opera performed La Traviata, in their new home. The evening ranged across all musical types from popular to classical. Day 2 – 27 November 2004The second day was an open door for the public to explore the Centre with a continuous stream of hundreds of people filling through the building from early morning until the fireworks display out in the Roald Dahl Plass.Day 3 – 28 November 2004The final day of the opening weekend began with the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and the Prince of Wales who met First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Lord Rowe-Beddoe, and marked the event by unveiling a plaque. Philip Madoc, Siân Phillips, Gaby Roslin, Michael Ball, Charlotte Church, Catrin Finch and Only Men Aloud! were among the artists that entertained the audience during the first act. The second act was opened by the Welsh National Opera and later the Kirov Ballet and Cirque Éloize entertained the audience. Bryn Terfel ended the celebrations.Phase 2 (C Bay) – BBC Hoddinott Hallthumb|right|BBC Hoddinott HallPhase 2 of the Centre is home to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) and the BBC National Chorus of Wales. BBC NOW moved from Studio 1 at Broadcasting House in Llandaff, which the orchestra had outgrown since the late 1960s. Phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert performed by the BBC NOW and conducted by Thierry Fischer. Phase 2 includes the 350 seater BBC Hoddinott Hall (), also known simply as Hoddinott Hall, which is named after the late Welsh classical composer Alun Hoddinott CBE (August 11, 1929 – March 12, 2008), and the Grace Williams Studio, which is named after another Welsh composer, Grace Williams (February 19, 1906 – February 10, 1977), and is used as a centre for education and outreach work. Phase 2 also has space for practice rooms, a music library, backstage facilities, it also provides a four storey office space for Wales Millennium Centre and the Arts Council of Wales. Design and constructionThe original plans for the Centre were that it would have a concert hall, however the final design of phase 1 did not include one. Space though had been left for a concert hall to be built in the future when phase 1 of the Centre was opened in 2004, and construction on phase 2 was then due to begin early in 2005. However, construction of phase 2 did not actually begin until April 2007. Phase 2 was designed to fit into the Centre’s curved slate frontage, with an upper part constructed from timber.thumb|right|The entrance to the BBC Hoddinott Hall from within the Wales Millennium Centre Phase 2 of the Centre was designed by the then newly qualified Tim Green and Keith Vince of Capita Architecture, formerly called Capita Percy Thomas and now part of Capita Symonds, with Arup Acoustics again providing the acoustic design. The main contractor was again Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, with MJN Colston Ltd responsible for the design and installation of all the mechanical, electrical and public health services in the building. Other subcontractors on the project included URS Corporation, Davis Langdon and Hulley & Kirkwood. Tim Green said of the building that the exterior of the building was designed to be in keeping with the existing Wales Millennium Centre, while the interior had a theme all of its own. "The concept behind the design of the interior of Hoddinott Hall was that of a traditional Welsh chapel." "The timber treatment at low level is very reminiscent of Victorian chapels and the masonry above. The stonework you would normally get in a stone chapel has been replaced by concrete." During the design and construction period, the project name for phase 2 was C Bay. Construction of phase 2 began in April 2007, and ended when the keys to the building were handed over at an official ceremony in September 2008, and the beginning of the fitting out of the BBC Hoddinott Hall by BBC Wales. Opening FestivalTo commemorate the opening of the BBC Hoddinott Hall an inaugural concert took place on 22 January 2009. It was part of the Opening Festival which took place between 22 January and 1 February 2009. The concert was performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and was conducted by Thierry Fischer. The concert included the world premiere of St Vitus in the Kettle by Simon Holt, the orchestra’s composer in association, who took over from Michael Berkeley. The BBC Hoddinott Hall was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 31 January 2009, where he unveiled a plaque.Resident organisations Offices of the National Dance Company Wales.
All these organisations have office and work space in the Centre, along with performance spaces, rehearsal halls, recording studio, and dance hall. In addition, the headquarters of the Arts Council of Wales is also located in phase 2 of the Centre. Corporate financing and rebrandingThe total cost of phase 1 of the project was GB£106.2 million. The National Lottery Millennium Fund provided £31.7 million, a further GB£37 million came from The National Assembly for Wales and £10.4 million was donated by the Arts Council of Wales. In addition a private investor, South African businessman Donald Gordon donated £20 million to be shared equally between the Royal Opera House and the Wales Millennium Centre. The Centre also received a £13.5 million loan from HSBC. The remaining funds for the project came from a major sponsorship deal with the Principality Building Society. Today the Centre has many corporations and public bodies who provide sponsorship to the Centre.The National Assembly for Wales announced on 6 November 2007 that it was to pay off the outstanding loan of £13.5 million from HSBC and also increase the annual funding. From April 2008, the National Assembly for Wales have given a grant to the Wales Millennium Centre with GB£3.5 million per annum for 3 years. This would only repay the capital debt and not any ongoing operating loss as the Centre remains profitable. The money used to pay the debt came from unallocated funds from the Assembly's previous budget and it was said by the Minister for Heritage, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, that the new money allocation would not come at the expense of other art projects from other parts of Wales. The cost of phase 2 of the project was approximately £18 million, however the BBC does not own the building, they have leased it for 25 years from the Lime Property Fund, which is a subsidiary of Aviva Investors. The building was built by Concert Bay Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Sir Robert McAlpine Enterprises Ltd who co-funded the scheme along with Lime Property Fund. In November 2006, Wales Millennium Centre announced that they would begin a two phase rebranding project. The project was won by a local Cardiff company, Sweet. The first phase of the project involved a new corporate logo, the second phase included the complete redesign of other marketing tools, such as brochures and advertisements. In popular cultureDoctor Who and Torchwoodthumb|right|The [[Cardiff Rift being ripped open, partly by the TARDIS, with the Centre on the right]]The Centre has made numerous appearances in film and television including Doctor Who, whose new series was produced by BBC Wales. It has appeared six times to date: as itself from outside in the episode "Boom Town", its marquee momentarily at the end of the episode "Bad Wolf", its lobby as a hospital lobby in the far future in the episode "New Earth", briefly in the episodes "Utopia" and "The Stolen Earth", and also in the final episode of series 3, "Last of the Time Lords". The spin-off series Torchwood, has its headquarters, known as "The Hub", set underneath the Water Tower, Roald Dahl Plass, with the Wales Millennium Centre's frontage featuring heavily through the show. Jones Jones JonesOn 3 November 2006, a record breaking attempt to gather the most people with the same surname, Jones, took place in the Centre under the show banner Jones Jones Jones, filmed for television by S4C. The record was broken with 1,224 Joneses filling the Donald Gordon Theatre. The previous record was set in Sweden in 2004 when 583 people gathered who had the same surname of Norberg. Gavin & StaceyEpisode 1 of the second series of BBC TV show, Gavin & Stacey was filmed in the Wales Millennium Centre. The centre was supposed to be an airport. |
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