PONTYPOOL Museum’s staff have been researching interesting facts about Pontypool’s long established links with theatre and fame.

Their search was inspired by the fact that many years ago, Pontypool was one of the favoured places for portable and travelling theatres.

The first Theatre Royal opened in the town in 1799; Fowler’s Music Hall opened in 1884 and Morgan’s Full Moon Music Hall opened in 1886. But it was the success of a production of Cinderella in January 1887 that raised the profile of the town as a theatrically profitable place.

The Hanbury Assembly Rooms, renamed the Theatre Royal in 1903, was in Osborne Road and under the personal management of George Henry Pitt.

The early war years saw business as usual but as the war progressed, shows became difficult to maintain.

However, the end of the war was celebrated with the return to big name shows including an appearance by the famous Lily Langtry in November 1918 and then, in August 1920, Gracie Fields.

The museum’s administrator, Susan Allford, said lots of people would remember the Pavilion Theatre which opened in 1914 and closed in 1989 – with 2000 seats. It was promoted as ‘the most up-to-date theatre in Wales’.

Through her research she found many famous names with connections to Pontypool including opera singer Dame Gwyneth Jones, who was born in Pontnewynydd and worked as a secretary at the Pontypool foundry; film star Ray Milland, who was born Reg Jones in Neath but moved to Pontypool and worked in the Steel Works; actor Sir Anthony Hopkins who attended West Monmouth School; and Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield, who was born in Pontypool.

Latest to raise to fame is Pontypool-born Luke Evans who played Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit and vampire Dracula in Dracula Untold.

The museum is currently campaigning to attract 1,000 new members to make up for a £19,000 cash shortfall in its budget.

It warns that without public support it could close meaning that Pontypool’s marvellous history will be lost.

To inspire more people to join, those who join from January 1, will be given three free months membership, and will remain members until March 31, 2016.

For more information on becoming a member call the museum on 01495 752036.