Capel Soar is an imposing Baptist Chapel in Penygraig, Mid Rhondda originally built in 1832, burnt down in 1861 and the existing Chapel rebuilt in 1902, it retains some of the original features. It functions as a multi-purpose community centre offering local people a wide range of opportunities to be involved in Play, Youth, Arts and Training activities. The age span is 0 – 90+.

The venue is currently being completely refurbished with the creation of a new glass fronted  foyer  area, new kitchen/coffee bar and three multipurpose rooms on the ground floor. The existing 1st floor hall will be a multi-function, fully disabled accessible performance space which will be a high quality state of the art stage setting for a wide variety of activities.

A tension wire grid is being installed at roof level to aid the rigging and focussing of sound and lighting equipment.

Drama by Design worked as theatre consultants on this project from conception through to completion. Technical systems include:

• Stage lighting system with full lighting grid, booms and socket outlet boxes wired to a cord patch system with 36 ways of dimming controlled from a computerised lighting console with wireless riggers control and intelligent lighting control.
• Sound system with speakers that can be moved around for different seating formats, sound control in the control room that can be moved to the floor and a full cabling infrastructure and patch system.
• Audio Visual system with large format projection screen, high power projector and digital editing suite.
• Full communication and cabling infrastructure throughout building including audio and video show relay and paging system throughout ground floor and dressing rooms.