PHOTO EXHIBITION AT THE OLD NATWEST

We are pleased to announce that our Grand Hall will be used this Friday (18th January) for a photography exhibition. Arranged by students from the University of Wales, Newport, this event is part of their 2nd year project.

The project entitled 'Money & Communities' aims to bring to light both the positive and negative effects that money has had on our communities. The exhibition opens at 6pm this Friday in the Old NatWest Building, 113-116 Bute Street. Entry is free for all – so if you fancy seeing some wonderful photography and are interested in  how our economy has affected us, please come down.

http://www.theoldnatwestbuilding.co.uk/

 

BANKING HALL HOSTS FANTASTIC EVENT

The Old NatWest Building Banking Hall opened its doors to the Public Affairs Cymru Summer Reception yesterday – and what a wonderful reception it was!

Mick Antoniw AM, Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee, was the guest speaker and further entertainment was provided by the fantastic Cardiff-based Keith Little Jazz Band, who made the evening go with a swing!

Everybody seemed to have a great time and all agreed that the refurbished venue looked stunning.

If you would like to hire the Banking Hall for a similar event contact us on 07753 827886 or email info@expertlease.co.uk



MULTICULTURAL MELA IN CARDIFF BAY

Cardiff Multicultural Mela 15^th July 12pm - 6pm

Every summer since 2007 Cardiff Bay has hosted a multicultural festival also known as a Mela. 

The festival is a free and aims to attract a diverse cultural mix. Music, dance, food and other aspects of mainstream culture can found at this popular summer event. 

There will be a number of stalls with information to benefit Cardiff’s diverse communities. These stalls include Health, Wellbeing, Housing, Training, Employment and more.

The aims of the Cardiff Multicultural Mela

To act as a showcase for the arts, particularly performing arts such as regional dance and music. To be a platform for local artists of all ages and cultures.

To further racial and cultural harmony by celebrating the cultural diversity of all of Cardiff's cultural and ethnic communities.

To advance general public understanding of ethnic and cultural values by providing an opportunity for exploration and learning about traditions, beliefs, art & music.

To provide a forum for business enterprises to exhibit and promote a wide variety of goods and services.

To organise other musical and community events.

We are looking forward to this annual celebration at Cardiff’s Bay Roald Dahl Plass. Hope you enjoy it too!

BBC CHOOSES THE OLD NATWEST BUILDING

The Old NatWest Building was alight with stars last Monday as the cast and crew of ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ took to the banking hall for their latest shoot.
Former Spooks star Keeley Hawes was present, filming her scenes in the grand banking hall, which had been restored to a glimpse of its former glory, thanks to the talented set-design team who had transformed the space into a 1930’s Berlin cafe.

These pictures show the terrific work of the production team and remind us of the hall’s grandeur and fantastic architecture.

The stars of ‘Casualty’ also visited the building recently for a shoot outside, demonstrating the attraction of the site as a versatile filming location. They will be returning again in January to film additional scenes inside.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Sherman Cymru recently staged a new presentation of Shakespeare’s classic, Measure for Measure at the The Provincial (the new name for the Old Natwest Bank).

Directed by Sherman Cymru’s Associate Director, Amy Hodge, this production was an electric take on Shakespeare’s powerful social satire.

Measure for Measure is set in a society which is in turmoil. Its political leader appoints his hard-line deputy to rid the city of its sexual corruption. However, while the leader is away, we come to see that the deputy’s strict iron hand approach may not be the solution to the city’s problems.

Designer, takis comments:
“The imposing neo-classic building of the bank and its location (the old Red Light District of Cardiff) set the perfect environment for the staging of Measure for Measure, emphasising the main themes of the play, ‘sex’ and ‘power’. By deconstructing the old bank and creating a sex club we aim to offer the audience a multi-sensory experience through the Shakespearean text, enriched with live music, original composition, lights and movement. The multi-layered costumes underlining another theme of the play, the power struggle between the sexes.”

AN AMERICAN EYE IN BUTETOWN

BBC Two Wales is running a short 'Butetown' season, commencing with An American Eye on Butetown at 10pm on Tuesday 12th October. The programme features American director Dee Rees as she presents an outsiders view of activities in the area. Her film Butetown's Colonial Gods follows on Wednesday at 10pm.

Also this week on Thursday at 10pm is Tiger Baywatch a nostalgic look at the 1990s series, Tiger Bay.

WELCOME

Welcome to the Old NatWest Building website. We will soon be adding stories to this blog. In the meantime, why not have a look around the website.