Theatr Clwyd Time Capsule


On the 11th June, Theatr Clwyd buried a time capsule celebrating the local community and the building. They hosted over 200 guests for the event. There was live music on arrival. Guests were then asked to take a seat in the temporary theatre, named “The Mix”. 

Once seated, Liam Evans-Ford, Executive Director of Theatr Clwyd, introduced the event and thanked all the funders who have got the redevelopment to this point; Labour Welsh Government, Arts Council Wales, Flintshire County Council just to name a few. He also explained that the event was the launch for the public funding campaign. The redevelopment has received substantial financial support from a range of trusts, foundations and private funders. The organisation is now asking the local community if they too can ‘play their part’, by naming a seat, mirror, tile, organising a fundraising activity, or donating at the new play your part tree in the theatre’s temporary foyer.



By pressing the button you can hear stories of the building and the impact it has had on people’s lives. Once you have donated, you can add a flower to the tree.


Following Liam’s introduction, members of the different community groups performed an ensemble theatre piece. It was a celebration of the theatre with members reading out stories and memories of the theatre. 


I suggested to theatre staff that one of the brick pieces I have been exploring could go in the time capsule and it was agreed. I made a porcelain brick and then filled it with the written pieces Cwils had created during our first tour of the building. I then made a cork stopper for the brick; the brick had become a vessel to contain the memories, like a message in a bottle. They say walls have ears and if only these walls could talk, this piece reflects on that. The community group used the items going in the time capsule as props for their performance, it was great to see the brick being used and then put in the capsule. 




Once the performance was over, everyone attending was asked to gather outside for the capsule to be buried. We followed a student playing music to the area where it was being buried. Liam introduced Ysgol Maes Garmon’s choir who sang a couple of songs before the time capsule was buried. 


The Chair of Flintshire County Council, Gladys Healey, joined Liam and the new Artistic Director, Kate Wasserburg in breaking ground for the time capsule. 


"What a special day. A moment to mark the major construction work on-site, to announce our public funding campaign, but most of all to acknowledge our communities and how we work with, and for, so many in North Wales. This project is a huge undertaking and has attracted significant private investment into the area, but we must always remember why we are delivering this project – it is for our communities - past, present, and future."

Liam Evans-Ford, Executive Director


"I was delighted to attend this momentous occasion at Theatr Clwyd in what is, my first official engagement as Chair of Flintshire County Council. The redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd is an exciting opportunity which will significantly benefit the local community and I look forward to seeing its completion."

Chair of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Gladys Healey


The capsule houses a selection of memories in the form of letters, poems and photographs reflecting on nearly 50 years of history. It is to be opened in 2075. For more information visit the theatre's website https://www.theatrclwyd.com/news/theatr-clwyd-celebrates-their-local-community-with-time-capsule-ceremony

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