Swansea Grand Theatre’s Chilvers dies at 88
John Chilvers, director and administrator of the Grand Theatre, Swansea, for more than 20 years, has died at the age of 88.
He ran the theatre during the sixties and seventies producing a wide ranging programme of plays in repertory, touring shows and pantomimes.
His lavish pantomimes became nationally famous. They opened on Boxing Day and often ran until the first week in April.
Paying tribute to Chilvers, veteran Welsh comedian Wyn Calvin told The Stage Online: “John Chilvers’ name was synonymous with the Grand Theatre in Swansea. He was part of the very fabric of the theatre and until the building was bought by Swansea Corporation in 1979, he ran the place almost single-handedly. Without him the theatre would probably have closed down, or worse, been demolished, years ago. The Grand is his legacy.”
Chilvers continued to work at the theatre in various capacities until his retirement. He died on March 10, 2008.
A full obituary will appear in The Stage newspaper.
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