Listed Victorian public toilets in Newport have been transformed into a tiny theatre and arts space due to open in spring 2019.
WalesOnline writes:
You don’t have to just visit a traditional theatre to see a show these days. From plays in small houses to performances on moving Transporter Bridges, the world of theatre is becoming more and more special everyday. And now, there’s a new addition to unique theatre listings, as a former public toilet block has been transformed into a tiny arts space.
The building which was previously a gentlemen’s loos on Alexandra Road in Pill, Newport – which is thought to have been built in the late 1800s – has undergone some serious renovation work. It now has a new lease of life as a theatre with a capacity of around 25-30.
After buying the toilet block during an auction last year, Janet Martin, who’s been involved with the arts scene in Newport for 35 years, has been working hard to transform the Grade II-listed lavatories. It came up for sale with an auction house and someone else appeared to buy it. However, that bid fell through and Janet, 64, then bought it directly from Newport City Council for £15,000.
Janet, who also runs the Barnabas Arts Centre in Pill, said: ‘We bought it just before Christmas [2018] but had to wait until June for permission to take the urinals out because it’s a listed building. But what we were able to do, prior to that, was the repair work – the roof had gone, the beams supporting the whole building were crumbling, there were cracks in the walls of the building.’
In total, Janet said the whole thing, including the renovation work, labour and the building itself, cost around £75,000 to fix…
The space has been named the Phyllis Maud Performance Space, after Janet’s late auntie. ‘It’s being named after her because she left me some money,’ said Janet….
The Phyllis Maud Performance Space is set to open in spring 2019.
