AN historic venue is feeling flushed with success in more ways than one after scooping the Welsh Theatre of the Year award 10 years on from being saved from closure.

It follows a week in which Monmouth Savoy’s £90,000 toilets upgrade was unveiled by theatre patron Griff Rhys Jones.

Savoy director and general manager Chris Ryde travelled to the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel for the Welsh Hospitality awards on Monday night (November 11).

And after being presented with the Theatre of the Year honour, he said: “I am absolutely stunned to win the award.

“We were up against the cream of Welsh theatre venues and to be voted in ahead of the Sherman and the New Theatre in Cardiff, the Riverfront in Newport and Theatr Clwyd in Mold is surreal.

“It’s a wonderful testament to the hardwork of the staff, volunteers and trustees here over the last 10 years.”

Monmouth’s Savoy attracts some of the biggest names in comedy, including the likes of Michael McIntyre, Jack Dee, Mark Watson and Lee Evans, as well as offering a full cinema programme plus live music and theatre.

But despite standing on the oldest theatre site in Wales and dating back to 1928 itself, just a decade ago it was facing closure.

Then members of the community banded together to form the Monmouth Savoy Trust to save the venue, with the newly upgraded loos courtesy of a £90,000 Lottery grant the latest addition.

And they were able to unveil them in style last week, courtesy of theatre patron and comic legend Griff doing the honours by cutting the tape.

Griff, who was at the theatre to perform his one-man show All Over The Place. said: “I’m delighted to be opening the new toilets and commend the Trust on getting the funds to take it on.

“I’ve been charged with raising money to refurb Wilton’s Music Hall in London and know what an immense task it is.”

Chris added: “It’s a great relief (in more ways than one) to have improved toilet facilities here because the comfort of an audience goes hand in hand with their enjoyment of a good night out.

“Many thanks to the Lottery for providing the main grants and to the many others who chipped in.”