Wales Millennium Centre
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The Wales Millennium Centre is a £106 million performing arts complex located on the Cardiff Bay waterfront. Opened in November 2004 with a weekend of celebrations, it hosts performances of opera, ballet, dance and musicals.
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History
The Centre is the successor to a previous project for the site, the Cardiff Bay Opera House. This was a plan, supported by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation to construct a permanent home for the world-famous Welsh National Opera. A design competition attracted international entries and was eventually won by Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid. Her design was a radical glass structure that surrounded the main theatre. However, the project failed to win financial support from the Millennium Commission, the body which distributed funds from the UK National Lottery.
Controversy still surrounds the scheme and the problems were a major embarrassment to Wales' international image. Many claim that the original funding bid failed because of the widespread unpopularity of the Millennium Commission support for the Royal Opera House in London, which was seen as elitist. In fact, opera in Wales has a broad popular appeal. There were also concerns that the development was financially unsustainable. Others say that the project was destroyed by conservatism and provincialism in relation to the modern architecture, and by Cardiff Council's support for the Millennium Stadium.
After this, a new project was conceived that included more than opera and was felt to be a better reflection of Welsh culture. The change of name symbolised this. However, the project still had to overcome many hurdles. Funding took years to obtain, from the Welsh Assembly and Millennium Commission. Cardiff Council had to buy the land after the previous owners threatened to built a retail centre there due to the delays. Nevertheless, in 2002, building work on the long-awaited project finally began. Further boosts were given by large donations from South African businessman Donald Gordon and the international bank, HSBC.
Design
The centre was designed by Jonathan Adams, of local architects, Percy Thomas Partnership. The structure is dominated by a huge metal dome which houses the main theatre. Inscribed into the front of this dome, above the main entrance, are two poetic lines, written by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis. The Welsh version is Creu Gwir fel gwydr o ffwrnais awen, which means "Creating truth like glass from a furnace of inspiration". The English is "In these stones, horizons sing". The letters are formed by windows into the centre's bar and at night are illuminated.
Around the main dome, the rest of the structure is clad in multi-coloured slate from North Wales quarries. Narrow windows are built into the slate to give the impression of rock strata. The rear of the centre is clad in natural wood. All the materials used come from Wales and the centre is designed to reflect the many different parts of Wales.
Inside, the main Donald Gordan theatre is dominated by wood of different colours and by chunky, irregular terracotta-like walls. The theatre holds 1,900 spectators and is one of the largest theatres in Europe. There are also other, smaller theatres and rooms for plays and practice.
The centre also has a 150-bed dormitory run by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the Welsh League of Youth. It is anticipated that, in any given year, up to 10,000 schoolchildren and young people from across Wales will spend a week in the Centre, experiencing the range of cultural activities.
Reaction
During the opening weekend, thousands of people turned out for a spectacular fireworks display and open-air concert. An open day attracted long-queues from people interested in the centre. However, the Centre has its detractors. On the day before its opening the BBC reported that, while some locals from the Butetown area of Cardiff are supportive, others think that is too expensive and irrelevant to their needs. Criticism also comes from those living in the north of Wales, some of whom think that too much public money is spent in Cardiff. This is compounded by very poor North-South road and rail links in the country.
The international media also visited the centre and the BBC spent much air-time from the centre. Most architecture critics liked the design, although many claimed it was a too literal interpretation of national identity.
External links
- Official Website (http://www.wmc.org.uk/)
- BBC Wales article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/onshow/onlocation/pages/walesmillenniumcentre.shtml)