The Savoy Story

The Monmouth Savoy is a listed building that has been a centre of community life and entertainment since 1850.

It is now run with the kind support of the Savoy Trust - please CLICK HERE for more information.

Initially it was known as the Theatre Royal and staged touring variety shows as well as plays. In the years since, the theatre has gone through several incarnations, becoming a skating rink, bingo hall, cinema and magic lantern theatre. It has also spent many years in darkness

The Savoy building of today opened on March 5th, 1928 and contains all the lavish decorative characteristics of a fine city centre theatre, with elaborate plasterwork, gilded decoration, comfortable seating with excellent legroom, and great sightlines from both the stalls and the balcony. It also has outstanding stage acoustics.

It is open today thanks to a small team of dedicated enthusiasts who acquired the current lease in 2004 and set about restoring it to its former glory by launching a programme of refurbishment. This included total redecoration, the installation of a new cinema screen, introduction of a new sound system and investment in a new heating system as well as comfortable new seating.

Since then, the Savoy has been staging a programme of live stage plays, pantomimes, comedy and musical shows, and a regular cinema programme.

In today’s commercial climate all theatres have a hard time surviving. In the summer of 2008 the Savoy had reached a stage where it seemed it would have to close again due to financial pressures.

Keen fans have come to the rescue once again and are now contributing time, energy and expertise to help keep it open.

The Savoy is one of the few traditional theatres still operating in this part of the country. It helps to make Monmouth unique and will only remain open with your support.

If you don’t want to lose it, please come along and use it.