23 February 2012Last updated at 08:24

In pictures: Theatres in west and south Wales

Architect Rob Firman set out to catalogue all of the theatres in south Wales, expecting to find about 30. But he ended up documenting 111 venues still standing and another 46 which have been demolished. Mr Firman, who worked on the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, said it was "the definitive statement of confidence in the arts and culture by an emerging nation in Europe, now internationally recognised as a destination for the best performers and companies".

The Paget Rooms in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, was the first building Mr Firman visited, describing it as a "wonderful arts and crafts movement building".

He also highlighted theatres that have become derelict and in danger of being demolished. He said the Palace Theatre in Swansea is widely regarded as the most endangered theatre building in Wales and one of the most at risk Victorian buildings anywhere in the UK.

The architect visited numerous halls built by miners at the turn of the 20th century for their communities to use. Mr Firman said the Parc and Dare in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taff, is perhaps the "finest example of the ambition of mining communities to avail themselves of the highest standard of community entertainment facility of the early 20th century".

Many of the theatres discovered by Mr Firman are largely unknown outside their communities. He said The Hall in Glyncorrwg, Neath Port Talbot, is possibly the least well-known of all the buildings he visited. He said: "It felt like a major discovery when I visited it - this building could be amazing if funds can be found to restore it."

Mr Firman said Wales should do all it can to save its theatres. He said Brangwyn Hall in Swansea is an "utterly beautiful masterpiece by one of Wales' greatest architects, Sir Percy Thomas, with world-class reputation for acoustics for orchestral performance".

Many of the theatres visited by Mr Firman now have different uses, such as the Prince of Wales theatre in Cardiff, which has become a pub. He said: "An extremely good example of how theatres can be given a new life once their time as a venue for live entertainment has ended."

After 3,500 miles on the road over 15 months, the Memorial Hall, Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, was the last of the 111 buildings discovered by Mr Firman. He said: "It is little known outside the community it serves but really special and deserves more recognition."

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Mr Firman said he would struggle to name his favourite theatre, but he loved the new Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama building in Cardiff. He said: "It is simply excellent and a marvellous example of architecture for the performing arts that sets a new higher benchmark for future buildings."

Wales

In pictures: Theatres in west and south Wales

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