New theatre believed to be smallest one in Wales

A NEW theatre is set to open in Barry next month, and the owners believe it will be the smallest in Wales.

The Small Space, which is launching on Island Road in the seaside town, is set to host a wide variety of “intimate” productions starting with magic shows, which will become a regular feature.

Measuring just 16ft by 12ft, the venue will be “smaller than the average living room”, according to Bryan Gunton, one of the brains behind the project.

Bryan, 44, added: “Potentially, it’s one of the smallest magic venues in the world. It’s very intimate.”

The 20-seat venue, which was formerly a Victorian shop, will also have a licensed bar upstairs.

Bryan and his business partner, Jasper Blakeley, are both full-time magicians and members of the Magic Circle.

They have described their new space as “Wales’ smallest theatre venue”.

The pair have travelled all over the world with their acts and decided to create the diminutive venue after they realised there weren’t many places to perform in the town.

Bryan said: “There’s a gap really between nothing and a 1,000-seat venue in Barry, so there are very few places for performers.

“What we’ve noticed is there are no cabaret venues – workingmen’s clubs have reduced in number – for variety acts and specialist acts.”

Currently, Bryan and Jasper are refurbishing the venue, with the opening show planned for February 1, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

The duo plan to host a monthly house magicians night, and they are intending on bringing in a few different guest magicians in the future.

Tickets for the monthly magician nights start at £20 per person and there are still tickets available for the first show.

For more information, visit facebook.com/no5thesmallspace