The story begins in 1967, when Casson, Condor and Partners were commissioned to design a theatre that was to become the heart of a new civic centre for Swindon.

The curtain rose for the first time on September 7th 1971 with The Ukrainian Dance Company. Later that year the theatre was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip.

The auditorium has 617 seats and every seat designed to be no further than 70ft from the stage, to enable a clear view for all!

A New Name in Swindon

So how did the theatre get its name?  Well, The Wyvern is named after a mythical beast, similar to a dragon, which was once the emblem of the Kings of Wessex.  Our wayward mascot, Willy Wyvern, has made a welcome return to the theatre this year after a long absence and has been taking time out to re-acquaint himself with the people of Swindon.

When we first opened, the shows we had at the theatre were, as now, wide ranging and catered for all tastes, from Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ to musicals such as the controversial ‘Hair’, and the variety laden ‘The Good Olde Days’, which still visits the theatre from time to time now.

Famous Names ...

For the last 30 years, the Wyvern stage has been graced by a multitude of stars from stage and screen.  Many local theatre groups, choirs, local Scouts and Guides and dance schools have held their shows here at the theatre.

... From the Seventies

In the 1970’s some of the big names to visit us included Richard Todd, Brian Rix, now Lord Rix, the popular variety entertainers Jimmy Logan and Jimmy Edwards, TV and film actress Dora Bryan, Georgie Fame, Rupert Davies, who at the time was enjoying great success on TV in ‘Maigret’ and husband and wife entertainers John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, who have since been regular visitors to the theatre. Another regular visitor to us is the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, who have continued to play to packed audiences from the 1970’s right up to the present day.

... From the Eighties

The 80’s saw us welcome, amongst others, Barbara Windsor (now Peggy Mitchell in ‘EastEnders’), Lenny Henry, who specifically requested to perform here for the start of his tour in 1988 and is to return again this year, Keith ‘Cheggers’ Chegwin, poet Roger McGough, John Challis (‘Boycie’ in ‘Only Fools and Horses’) and Blue Peter’s Peter Duncan.

... And the Nineties

In the 1990’s we continued to welcome stars to the theatre, including Astronomer Patrick Moore, ‘Stars in their Eyes’ host Matthew Kelly, Trevor Bannister (Are You Being Served’s Mr. Lucas) as well as welcoming back regular visitors such as Elkie Brooks, Kenny Ball and a great line up of comedians including Lee Evans, Bob Downe, Lee Hurst and the ever popular Victoria Wood.  We also had a visit from world renowned actor and director Kenneth Branagh, who brought his acting workshop to the theatre.

In 1994 we presented our first Summer Youth Project, which has continued to be a very popular annual event.  In the past 10 years the young people of Swindon have performed Bugsy Malone (1994), Annie (1995), 42nd Street (1996), My Fair Lady (1997), Oliver! (1998), Me and My Girl (1999), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2000) Crazy For You (2001), West Side Story (2002), Fame (2003) and this year “The Sound of Music” for 2004.  The youth project looks set to continue for many years to come and will be bigger and better each year!

And Local Talent

From the very beginning, we have been committed to supporting local talent and have welcomed a wide variety of groups who have performed here at The Wyvern.