The Phoenix is a community Performance Arts Theatre and Cinema located in Ton Pentre in the Rhondda Valley
The front of the building started life as the Ocean Collieries, Maindy & Eastern Workman’s library and Institute in 1895 and cost £4,000 to build. In the attic, were two bedrooms and store rooms. In 1904, the Workman’s Hall was attached, providing a stage and hall for concerts and entertain
ment. ‘Animated pictures’ were started in 1908. The hall was converted to a cinema in 1931 with the installation of the ‘talkie machine’. Due to the local mine closures the hall fell into decline in the 1940’s. It became known as the Ton Pentre Workman’s Hall after WW2. Films were shown until 1971 when it’s last film was Countess Dracula, starring Ingrid Pitt. After 1971 it became a Bingo hall which continued until 1989 and it was then left derelict until 1991 when it was bought by RCDA. (Rhondda Community Development Association). RCBI Rhondda Community Business Initiative was formed in 1990 and re-opened as Phoenix in 1991. In 1996 it was listed as Grade 2 by Cadw. Today over a Century later we are still running strong with Spectacular performances from various local theatre groups and local schools use the Theatre as the venue for their productions. After a small hiatus now in association with FILM HUB WALES and BFI Film Audience Network we are proud to be showing an excellent selection of the biggest and best Hollywood blockbuster movies and along with Independent Cinema’s finest movies a selection of which were produced right here in Wales and across the UK.
