by Carys Svendsen
So you’ve arrived at Swansea and you’re craving a need for a culture adventure but wondering where to go. Fear not, for Waterfront’s ‘Guide to culture in Swansea’ is here!
Firstly, we have the Taliesin Arts Centre. Situated on the Singleton Campus, (on the mall opposite the library at Singleton Campus), the Taliesin has a 330 seat auditorium plus a restaurant and bar.
As a full-time Swansea University student, all you need do is walk in with your student card to get great deals for all events. You can see a film for just £6! On top of this, the Taliesin has a wonderful selection of live events, such as contemporary dance, drama, and music, plus live stream broadcasts – all for just £5 a ticket.
During October you can see one of their world class dance performances in Leviathan – a spectacular new work by James Wilton Dance. If you are a film fan you can see Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman in the Beguiled (15), or perhaps Daniel Craig and Channing Tatum in Logan Lucky (12A).
To learn more about their upcoming season, grab a brochure from Taliesin and around campus or just visit their website taliesinartscentre.co.uk or check out their Facebook (@taliesinfanpage) and their Twitter (@taliesinswansea)
The Great Hall on Bay Campus is also home to a broad programme of live concerts and literary events from the Taliesin. Again, details can be found on the Taliesin website. Tickets for these events are just £5 and bookings can be made at either Taliesin or Great Hall box offices.
In addition to the Taliesin, situated in close proximity to the Quadrant bus station, is the Grand Theatre. Home to the Swansea pantomime, the Grand Theatre has seen many a comedian perform, including Bill Bailey, Russell Kane and Jo Brand – Shoreline theatre society have also recently performed here with their very popular Doctor Faustus. The Grand Theatre’s upcoming season includes popular shows such as Madame Butterfly and Sunset Boulevard. If you’re looking for a theatrical night out on the town, the Grand Theatre is the way to go.
Prefer a smaller theatrical experience? Look no further than the Dylan Thomas Theatre to fulfill your dramatic needs. With the Dylan Thomas Theatre situated in the marina, it’s a great spot for some waterfront entertainment. With their next performance in November, however, you’ll have to wait a short while until you can see the theatre in action!
Your culture adventure doesn’t have to be restricted to just theatre, however. If you fancy a trip to an art gallery, then make sure to check out the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery or Attic Gallery.
Located on Alexandra Road, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery hosts several exhibitions. One of their current exhibitions includes ‘Journeys between Art and Life: Richard Glynn Vivian (1835-1910)’ which explores and celebrates the life of Glynn Vivian’s founder as well as his collection of works. You can also check out their Twitter for pictures from the exhibition (including several pugs!) by following @GlynnVivian.
The Attic Gallery is home to a multitude of artists and located within the Maritime Quarter only a few minutes away from Swansea Museum. Ranging from paintings to ceramics, the gallery provides a wide range of artistic marvels to satisfy your curiosity. If you are also an avid print collector, it’s well worth a look at their wide range of prints, too.
Finally, we come to the museums of Swansea. Not only do we have the Egypt Centre (which is situated on Singleton Campus, next door to the Taliesin), but if you explore the marina, you will find the Waterfront Museum and Swansea Museum.
The Waterfront Museum explores Swansea’s industrial history (their most recent exhibition is the history of copper within Swansea), while the Swansea Museum explores a wider range of history within Swansea, including artefacts from multiple eras (they have a mummy!), wartime Swansea, and various archaeological finds from around Swansea and Neath.
If you’re looking to extend your historical day out, be sure to check out the Tram museum also. Situated within the marina and between both the Waterfront Museum and the Swansea Museum it is a fascinating glimpse into Swansea’s past.
Happy adventuring!
