Lyric ineligible for Arts Council Welsh nights

The Lyric Theatre was re-opened it in October 2004 by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Since then there have been 65 Welsh language events attracting an audience totalling 30,000 with an average attendance of 461.

Of the 65 events nine were full week Welsh Language amateur and local productions and or events which had a total of 3003 an average 333 participants and actors on stage or acting a stage crew and or members of the orchestra.

In respect of Welsh language touring theatre in Carmarthenshire, Council run theatres are excluded from the Arts Council of Wales' Night Out Scheme as they are owned and managed by Local Authorities.

This means that a number of Welsh Language productions in the Carmarthen area will be performed at the Haliwell Theatre or community venues such as Pontyberem Welfare Hall who qualify under the scheme .

The Authority work closely with these companies and local venues to avoid a clash of events. The Council has no way of influencing this.

Carmarthenshire Theatres operates a One Audience One Programme policy where events will alternate between venues in Llanelli and Carmarthen and occasionally Ammanford. To encourage audiences to attend the Council operates a free shuttle buses for our customers to travel from one town to the other. Welsh Language events are included in the Free Shuttle Bus programme.