Did you know?
- The Park & Dare has over 500 performances a year, attracting over 48,000 people.
- The Park & Dare was invaded by Daleks in 2006, when BBC Wales filmed the Doctor Who 2 part episode ‘Daleks in Manhattan & Evolution of the Daleks’ at the venue – and a Dalek was blown up on stage!
- The Park & Dare is home to the world famous Treorchy Male Choir and internationally acclaimed Parc & Dare Band who both perform regularly at the venue.
- The venue has hosted a wide variety of amazing performers and musicians including Ray Davies, Nils Lofgren, Eric Bibb, Billy Bragg, Courtney Pine, Michael Ball, Sir Harry Secombe, Ken Dodd, Joe Longthorne and Ian Watkins (H from Steps) to name just a few!
- The theatre hosts the annual Welsh Brass Arts Festival in conjunction with the Parc & Dare band.
- The theatre is the base for Rhonda Cynon Taf Community Arts and the Rhondda Model Railway Society.
- The Park & Dare Theatre was built in 1913. The workers of the Park and the Dare Collieries funded the building by a ‘Penny in the Pound’ contributions from their wages, when the average wage was less than 2 pounds a week!
- It was initially built as a Concert Hall but during the 1920’s, was adapted to also show films when they became a popular form of entertainment.
- The Theatre consists of 3 floors - stalls - circle – gallery, and can seat up to 660.
- The origins of the Theatre date from 1895, when the Station Road façade was opened as a workingmen’s library and institute.
- In 1913, the workers were able to expand their interest and to build the present main auditorium, front of house and façade of the current building.
- The venue has got historic and strong links with many local community groups, including Spotlight Theatre Company, Mid Rhondda Operatic Society, Rhondda Theatre Group, Players Anonymous, Selsig Operatic Society, and Rhondda Jazz Club
- The first British band to visit the Park and Dare was that of Vic Oliver. He was to return for year after year. Such was his local popularity, and as a tribute, Rhondda Borough Council awarded him the Freedom of the District.
- In 1975, the venue was donated to the then Rhondda Borough Council. Since unitary authorities were established in 1995, the building now belongs to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council within the Cultural Services Department.
