The basement theatre will be a hub for Creativity in the city centre
Cardiff’s beloved bar and live music venue, Porters, is stepping into the spotlight with an exciting new addition. From March 1st 2025, the popular city centre spot will be home to Cardiff’s first dedicated fringe theatre, tucked away in the basement of its Barrack Lane premises. With 60 seats, this intimate venue promises to be a game-changer for local artists, theatre makers, and audiences alike.
For those who’ve been following Porters’ journey, this move feels like a natural next step. The bar has long been a favourite haunt for creatives, musicians, and anyone looking for a lively night out in the Welsh capital. But now, with the support of Cardiff Council and Stage Sound Services, Porters is taking its commitment to the arts even further. The new theatre will focus on nurturing emerging talent, giving local artists a platform to develop their work, and welcoming touring productions from across the UK.
Cardiff Council has been a key player in making this happen. Cllr Jennifer Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, shared her enthusiasm: “We want Cardiff to be a city where creativity thrives. The opportunities Porters offer to local talent were a key reason the Council supported their move to Barrack Lane. Now, I’m delighted we’ve also been able to back the opening of their new fringe theatre, ensuring even more artists in the city have the chance to grow and develop their craft.”
Dan Porter, Director of Porters Cardiff, explained how the move to Barrack Lane sparked a rethink about the venue’s role in the city. “The need to relocate forced us to think about who we were, who we were for, and how we could best serve the talent and audiences of Cardiff,” he said. “We’re convinced that what we’re offering is what’s wanted and needed, especially now. We want to stay committed to new, emerging, and unsupported artists. We’re excited by what we think we can achieve here and, most importantly, by what we can help others to achieve.”
Running the theatre alongside Dan will be two familiar faces in Cardiff’s arts scene: Alice Rush and Frankie-Rose Taylor. Both have impressive backgrounds, having worked with the likes of National Theatre Wales, Chapter Arts Centre, and Wales Millennium Centre. But they’re also regulars at Porters, making this project a labour of love.
“We’ve been drinking at Porters since it opened in 2012,” they joked, “so it’s nice to finally get some recognition for all our hard work.” On a more serious note, they added: “It’s been both of our dreams to run a venue, and we can’t imagine anywhere better than our real home away from home. We’ve seen opportunities for theatre makers in Cardiff, and Wales, shrink over the years, leading to brilliant, talented people leaving for London and beyond. We want Porters to be a place where Cardiff and Welsh makers, and their ideas, are welcomed, nurtured, and given a platform. And where audiences can experience work they wouldn’t see elsewhere in Cardiff – work that entertains, moves, and inspires.”
The theatre will officially open its doors on 1st March 2025, with a programme packed with local talent and touring shows. Whether you’re a theatre buff, a casual gig-goer, or just someone who loves discovering something new, this is one to watch.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to support Cardiff’s creative community in a brand-new way. Porters’ fringe theatre is set to become a vital part of the city’s cultural landscape – and it’s all happening right under our feet. Cheers to that!
