Milford Haven's Torch Theatre's multi-million pound refurbishment was officially unveiled at the venue's VIP launch last Wednesday, March 26. The Torch Theatre received a Capital Lottery grant of £1.75 million from the Arts Council of Wales, and raised a further £3.5 million to completely renovate and refurbish this significant arts venue in Pembrokeshire. Nearly 300 guests, including sponsors, dignitaries, and representatives of the Arts Council of Wales were greeted with a champagne and canapé reception and were given the opportunity to take a closer look at the new theatre's state-of-the-art facilities before enjoying a performance of the Torch Theatre Company's sell-out production of Melvyn Bragg and Howard Goodall's award-winning musical The Hired Man. A £3,000 sponsorship by Dragon LNG provided guests with elegantly presented refreshment throughout the evening, followed by an after show buffet which was served in the new Joanna Field Gallery and provided with engaging efficiency by the 12-strong staff of the new Café Torch. Funders, sponsors and key staff involved in spearheading the six year project were gratefully acknowledged in speeches by Siarlys Evans, the independent client advisor for the development project and Peter Tyndall, chief executive for the Arts Council of Wales. He said: "The Arts Council of Wales is delighted to support this major renovation project at the Torch Theatre, which will greatly enhance the existing arts provision in Milford Haven and surrounding areas and attract even wider audiences to this hard- working and successful venue. "The Torch is not just a major local asset, but is also a key producer of touring drama for the whole of Wales. ACW is delighted to have been able to work with them to create a company and a venue which will allow the considerable potential to be realised." The evening's event also marked the Torch Theatre's 30th Anniversary, and members of the twenty five strong cast joined guests after the performance in raising their glasses to the success of the next thirty years. Celebrations continued the following afternoon as cast and company gathered to mount an informal surprise presentation for Peter Doran in tribute to his 10th anniversary as the theatre's artistic director.