Park & Dare's Centenary Composer Jack White

The Park & Dare Theatre is about to burst into song, with an exciting Centenary curtain-raiser involving the whole community.

To mark the first 100 glorious years of the theatre, in the heart of Rhondda Cynon Taf, an exciting award-winning project involving local residents will take place in March.

Cân Yr Adeilad/Song of the Building, is a musical production in partnership with RCT Music Service, RCT Theatres and Sonig Youth Music Industry - and the whole community is invited to not just go along and enjoy the performances, but also to be a major part of it!

Funded by the Performing Rights Society for Music Foundation and the Arts Council of Wales, the project has been composed by Jack White and will star the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf.

This new contemporary work will reflect the rich history of the Park & Dare Theatre, the locality and the range of music associated with both cinematic and live performances at the venue during the past 100 years.

The project will engage a whole range of members of the community, including schools, students, special school students, instrumentalists and singers through a series of workshops and open rehearsals, both in the creation and the performance of the work.

Entertainer Max Boyce, Park & Dare Theatre’s centenary patron, said: “I consider it to be a great honour to be Patron of the Park & Dare Centenary Celebrations in 2013. It is a lovely old theatre that has a special resonance and affection for me.

“To think that 100 years have passed since the colliers of this proud valley freely donated their hard-earned pennies to further a cause that they believed would support the cultural aspirations of their community.

“It is our duty to recognise the debt we owe to those proud people and celebrate the legacy that was left in our care.”

Cân Yr Adeilad/Song of the Building has already won the prestigious David Bedford Music Education Award in recognition of the outstanding contribution it will provide as part of the Park & Dare Theatre’s Centenary programme.

The David Bedford Music Education Award is presented to projects which involve composers working in an educational or community setting. Previous winners include Music For Youth and English Touring Opera.

Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, Leisure and Tourism, said: “It promises to be a year-long celebration at the Park & Dare Theatre so I urge the public to join in the party.

“The Park & Dare has a proud history, having served its community for the past 100 years. Now is the time to celebrate that past as well as look forward to the future.”

Cân Yr Adeilad/Song of the Building is being staged at the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy, on Wednesday, 13 March, and Thursday, 14 March, at 1pm and 7.30pm daily.

Tickets are priced £8.50 (Adults), £6.50 (Concessions) £4.50 (School Groups) and £23.00 (Family Ticket).To book your seats, pop into the Park & Dare Reception or call the Box Office on 08000 147 111.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @Rctcouncil for the latest news on the events and information on how to get involved!