Grand ambitions: Swansea Grand Theatre at 125

This year, Swansea's Grand Theatre celebrated its 125^th birthday with a gala evening featuring an array of world-class homegrown artists performing alongside some of the city's emerging talent. The event was produced by Grand Ambition (GA), a new creative collective recently established at the theatre. Swansea Council and Swansea-based professional artists Richard Mylan, Steve Balsamo, Michelle McTernan and Christian Patterson have come together to add to the city's existing vibrant and eclectic arts scene and establish the theatre as a world-class producing house.

‘Our initial meeting with Swansea Council saw us pitch the idea of establishing a theatre company that could add to the ecology of the city's venues, as well as enabling us to lend our own expertise back into Swansea,’ Mylan explains. ‘With the four of us at GA having accrued over 100 years’ worth of experience in our various niches within the business – as actors, musicians and writers – we felt well equipped to establish this initiative. We want to work with local freelancers and organisations passionate about celebrating Swansea's history, as well as carving out an exciting and ambitious future. Fortunately, the council understood our vision and is excited about supporting our development and growth.’