History
Torfaen Theatre Club was formed September 2005, following the merge of two amateur dramatic companies, 'Pontypool Arena Theatre' in the North of Torfaen, and 'The Congress Players/ Cwmbran Theatre Club' in the South.
Each company have their own story...
Pontypool Arena Theatre
The former Pontypool Theatre Club came into being at the old Pontypool Settlement in Rockhill Road in July 1963, following a drama class run by the former Monmouthshire County Council. The class incorporated an earlier group founded in the 1930's known as The Settlement Players.
From it's first 1963 production of "Romanoff and Juliet" onwards, the club has provided a wide and varied programme of theatrical and dramatic events, ranging from high drama to farce, from melodrama to pantomime and often held in support of local and regional good causes, including the Mayor's Appeal, CROFT (rebuilding the Folly Tower), Tenovus Cancer Research and St Davids Foundation.
Productions have included: The Long, The Tall and the Short, Billy Liar, Lock Up Your Daughters, See How They Run and Waltz of The Toreadors. Members enjoy performing the plays of the well-known Welsh Playwright, Frank Vickery, including "Night on The Tiles" and "One O'Clock From The House."
On moving to the new Settlement building, the club changed it name to Pontypool Arena Theatre as the new facilities permitted productions to take place in an arena-type environment.