Urban explorers reveal hidden interior of Swansea’s long-abandoned Elysium Theatre

Beth and Robbie, who run the page B&R Urban Explorers UK, documented their visit with over 170 photographs and a series of short video clips. Their footage reveals the faded grandeur of a building that once entertained thousands — and has now stood silent for decades.

“We were taken away by what we were seeing — an old gem kept away for decades,” said Beth. “The rows of chairs still standing, covered in dust… old arcade machines left behind… it’s so sad to see a huge part of history go to waste and be forgotten.”

The Elysium opened in April 1914 as a cinema and social club for working men. Designed by Messrs. Ward and Ward and built by Fred Pitcher Ltd, the building once housed shops, showrooms, a ballroom, reading rooms, and offices for the Dockers’ Union. Its main hall, run by the Anima Company, could seat around 1,400 people.

The cinema is thought to have closed in 1960, with the building later used as a bingo hall before falling into disuse in the 1990s. Since then, it has remained sealed off — its interior largely unseen by the public.

Red double doors opening into a damaged corridor with debris, broken tiles, and peeling walls. — Partially opened red doors lead into a debris-filled corridor — a glimpse into the Elysium’s decaying interior.

Abandoned control panel with coloured buttons in deteriorated auditorium with dusty seating and peeling walls. — Partially opened red doors lead into a debris-filled corridor — a glimpse into the Elysium’s decaying interior.

Beth and Robbie described the building as “incredibly unsafe,” with crumbling floors and collapsed sections that prevented them from accessing all areas. But what they did capture offers a haunting and powerful glimpse into Swansea’s entertainment past.

“Up on walking into the property, everything was decayed,” said Robbie. “Slowly making our way through the mess, we came up to the old wall of tiles and then the doors to the theatre.”

“The bingo hall had been converted into the theatre,” added Beth. “We found the stairs to the old theatre above it — the rows of chairs still standing, once seated thousands of guests, families and friends.”

“Old machines were still left behind from the arcade — a few retro arcade machines,” said Robbie. “The place is falling apart. It’s so dangerous, so we didn’t manage to explore all the floors, but we still managed to get many of its main features.”

Their images show tiled walls, projection equipment, retro arcade machines, and the decaying remains of the auditorium. A caption video is being prepared to showcase the highlights, and a full gallery will follow once the archive is curated.