The Dolphin Hotel in Mold takes shape as town’s newest performance venue

Theatre will come to Mold High Street later this month when The Dolphin Hotel opens its doors to a new version of F Scott Fitzgerald’s jazz age novel The Great Gatsby.

Theatr Clwyd will head down the hill to the venue on Mold’s High Street for a new show which will see thousands flock into the town for a theatrical experience which will run from Thursday 22 February until Sunday 25 March.

Carpenters, metal workers, designers and scenic artists from the theatre have already been working for several weeks to turn the hotel into Jay Gatsby’s mansion. Now the actors, creative professionals and a nine-strong local team have begun rehearsing in the venue, led by director Alexander Wright.

New flooring has been laid, a new bar built and the show’s design, by talented young Welsh designer Heledd Rees, brings a 1920s theme to more than a dozen rooms.

‘In this immersive adaptation of the greatest jazz-age novel, audiences are invited to dress up for the show, or just sit at the bar and be absorbed into Gatsby’s world as one of the greatest stories of the 20^th century unfolds. Dancing shoes are recommended! Dressing up 1920s style is encouraged – anything from flapper dresses to a pinstripe suit.’ A Theatr Clwyd spokesperson said.

Local businessmen Phil Smith and Nick Davies acquired The Dolphin Hotel some time ago with view to reinstating it as a hotel and restaurant. Phil Smith commented: “The Dolphin is a landmark destination on Mold High Street, having served generations in the local community for over one hundred years and having theatre in the building for the first time is a very exciting opportunity. This new, interactive version of The Great Gatsby has found a perfect location in a hotel which was in its heyday in the 1920s.

 The show will take over every room in the building and by having it on for almost five weeks during February and March it will significantly support the regeneration of Mold Town Centre.

It is hoped that the success of The Great Gatsby will lead to further collaborative activities between The Dolphin Hotel and Theatr Clwyd.

After the show ends The Dolphin will be extended and completely refurbished, whilst retaining its distinctive appearance on the High Street opposite St Mary’s Church.

Nick Davies founder of Quad Architects, based locally and in London and Edinburgh, is working with the full support of Visit Wales, CADW and Flintshire County Council Planning and Conservation departments with a view to reinstate this important and historic venue as a destination hotel and restaurant in Mold town centre towards the end of 2019.

Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director, commented “This partnership is another step in our aim at to make Theatr Clwyd work with and for our community and to offer exciting, world class theatre experiences here in North East Wales. We are also really proud to be working with the new owners at The Dolphin as we play our part in helping to regenerate an historic building, and to deliver another successful Mold High Street business to compliment all of the other independent local traders appearing within our town centre.”