The theater royal was built on it current site in Barry town center in 1909 after a fire burnt the previous building across the street to the ground. It was built originaly as a live action theater with the famous actress lilly langtree staring at the theater in 1918. In 1929 t was converted into a single screen cinema called the Royal Super Cinema. with a newly reconfigured stalls and single balcony circle seatin 1,980. The theater was closed for the duration of WWII. A refurbishment in 1947 reduced the capacity to 915 and the original decoration of painted freezes of trees and landscapes was painted over in a more subdued scheme. In the 1980's the circle was closed off with the screen brought forward to create a smaller viewing screen seating 300. In the 1990's a second screen was added to the former stalls seating 233. The Cinema finnaly closed to its last audience at 9.30 Tonight despite strong local opposition.
Dreamworx and I were lucky enough to be given a little time inside tonight to photograph the foyer and screen2 while the staff closed up, unforunatley we were able to get around much more of the building but hopefully a return visit will be possible soon.
Screen 2
The last of the final audience leave the cinema