Park and Dare
WHERE
Treorchy
What it’s like
Live theatre and family shows in an intimate old venue, with free parking right at the front door.
This is a proper old theatre doing what theatres do: pantomimes, live shows and other events in a small, close-up auditorium where you're never far from the stage. There's no getting a pram or car seat in with you though, so if you've got a baby that's asleep in the buggy, you'll need to think about that before you go. Under-8s have to be with an adult who's responsible for them the whole time, which is fair enough for a working theatre, but worth knowing if you were hoping to hand off to an older sibling.
For anyone worried about sitting still for a whole performance, they run Relaxed Performances, where the lighting and sound are softened and nobody minds if you need to nip out and back in during the show. There's also Audio Description on some shows, with a short introduction beforehand explaining the costumes, characters and action for anyone who needs it. Both of those are the kind of thing that quietly makes a big difference if a show would otherwise be a stretch.
Parking is free, right in the library car park at the front, which takes one bit of stress out of the evening straight away. There's a café on site and food available, plus baby changing and wheelchair access, so the practicalities are covered even if the building itself is a bit older and boutique. Booster seats for smaller children are handed out free at the door, first come first served, so don't assume there'll be one waiting if you're running late.
Booking has to happen through the box office rather than online, and the hours are specific: Thursdays 10am to 4pm in person, or by phone Tuesday to Thursday in that same window. On performance days it opens up again an hour before curtain, right up until the show starts, which is handy if you're booking last minute on the day itself.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free parking in Treorchy Library car park at the front of the Park & Dare
- Pushchairs
- Prams and car-seats not permitted in the auditorium
- Prams and car seats stay outside the auditorium, so plan for that with a sleeping baby
- Booster seats are free but first-come first-served
- Booking is by phone or in person at the box office, not online
- Box office hours are limited: Thursdays and phone Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm
Plan your visit
Is there an age limit for children?
No set upper limit, but everyone needs a ticket, even babies, though under-2s go free. Children under 8 must have an adult with them who takes full responsibility.
Can we bring a pram or car seat in?
Not into the auditorium itself. Free plastic booster seats are available for smaller children instead, but it's first-come first-served so get there early if you want one.
How do we book tickets?
Through the box office, either in person on Thursdays 10am to 4pm or by phone Tuesday to Thursday in the same hours. It also opens an hour before a show starts on performance days.
Is there parking?
Free parking in the Treorchy Library car park right at the front of the building.
Are there quieter or adapted performances?
Relaxed Performances soften the lighting and sound and allow people to leave and re-enter during the show. Audio Description is also available on some shows, with a short introduction beforehand.
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