IT may have taken 121 years, but Wales' oldest cinema has finally appointed its first ever female film projectionist.

Sixteen year-old Bethany Curtis, of Nantyglo, made a little film history when she screened the film ‘Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ to a sell-out crowd at the Market Hall Cinema in Brynmawr last week.

The Brynmawr Comprehensive student first became involved with the cinema a year ago when she spent a week’s work experience and enjoyed it so much she became a volunteer for the Market Hall Community Group which runs the venue.

After training to use the digital equipment with fellow volunteer and projectionist, Jake Turner, Bethany used her newly acquired skills to open the curtains, start the film, lighting and sound for her first show last Wednesday night.

"I was nervous enough doing it anyway, what with all the buttons and switches. But to have to run your first solo show to a totally full house was truly terrifying.”

“When I pushed the button to open our huge red curtains and start the show, my heart was in my mouth."

The ICT and Media Studies student operates all the equipment using a laptop.

“I’ve learnt so much and feel so proud to be a part of it.

It was quite daunting but I’ve had so much support from all at the cinema as well as family and friends.”

“I used to watch films at the cinema when I was younger so it’s lovely to be able to volunteer here in between studying.”

Current cinema manager, Ralph Price said:"We've had a female manager previously, but never a female projectionist."

Mr Price, who has been at the venue for 43 years, added:

"Years ago, being a projectionist was quite a physical job, what with all the carrying of heavy film reels and extreme heat off the white hot arc-lamps. When I started as a projectionist in the 1960's, you were expected to wear brown overalls and gloves. Now with modern digital projection systems the heavy lifting and heat has gone - it's less back breaking, but much more complicated."

Beth Watkins, 32, of the charitable Trust that now operates the historic cinema said that one of the last bastions of male domination has finally been breached.

She said: “We're actually currently training up another female projectionist. I think the days of men only in the projection box are well and truly numbered.”

The teenager hopes to use her newly acquired skills to help her fund her way through University.

"I've always loved movies and would like to study media and film at degree level. I'm hoping I might be able to land a part-time job in a cinema while studying for my degree. Who knows, maybe I'll be the first female projectionist there, too.”

Cinema Director, Peter Watkins-Hughes, said: “Beth took her solo flight to a sold-out audience on the first night. She did incredibly well and we hope will be able to train future projectionists before she goes to university.”