There have been double celebrations at the Torch Theatre this week, as the re-vamped venue hosted a glittering launch party on Wednesday and then celebrated a decade of Doran yesterday (Thursday).

The Torch's artistic director, Peter Doran, has now been at the helm of the theatre for ten years. Cast and company of the renovated theatre's inaugural show, The Hired Man, got together for a surprise presentation yesterday afternoon.

The celebrations started on Wednesday night, when nearly 300 guests, including sponsors, dignitaries, and representatives of the Arts Council of Wales were greeted with a champagne and canapé reception.

They were then given the opportunity to take a closer look at the new theatre's £5.4 million state of the art facilities before enjoying a performance of the Torch Theatre Company's sell-out production of The Hired Man, an award winning musical by Melvyn Bragg and Howard Goodall.

Joined by the 25 strong cast, guests tucked into an after show buffet served in the new Joanna Field Gallery. The evening's event also marked 30 years since the Torch first opened its doors and everybody raised their glasses to the success of the next thirty years.

Peter Tyndall, Chief Executive for the Arts Council of Wales who provided £1.75 million towards the refurbishment, heralded the new Torch as both a local and a national asset.

"The Torch is not just a major local asset," he said, "but is also a key producer of touring drama for the whole of Wales. the Arts Council of Wales 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."