31 July 2026
Glenn Hewer is Head of Marketing at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, where he helps bring the stories, performances and experiences of this much-loved Pembrokeshire cultural hub to audiences across the county and beyond. In this article, Glenn shares the story behind Sunset Cinema - an outdoor cinema experience that celebrates Pembrokeshire’s spectacular landscapes, brings communities together and creates memorable moments under the summer sky.
Deckchairs at the ready? Fluffy blankets folded and picnics prepared? The Sunset Cinema (Sinema Machlud Haul) season with the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven is in full swing and the films and locations are announced across Pembrokeshire. From Mackerel Quay in Milford Haven to the Harbour at Saundersfoot and over to Pembroke Castle, there’s a stunning location on your doorstep to have a special big screen experience.
Standing as one of Wales’s most distinctive cultural landmarks – the Torch Theatre is a vibrant, community‑rooted arts hub in the county that blends professional theatre‑making with an inclusive, year‑round programme of cinema, live performance and creative engagement, and Sunset Cinema is only one of the treasures that the Torch Theatre has to offer.
“We reach across the county through our annual Sunset Cinema programme - an outdoor summer event of up to 20 cinema screenings that bring great films to iconic Pembrokeshire locations. Sunset Cinema is growing year on year and has been running since 2014. Loved by local people visitors alike, the films are great fun and well-loved, providing memorable afternoon or evening entertainment in stunning locations for all the family,” said Chelsey Gillard, Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director and Interim CEO.
Working with Pure West Radio as Media Partner for the Sunset Cinema season, the large LED screen ensures a crystal-clear picture, come rain or shine. Titles include How to Train your Dragon, Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, Jaws,Back to the Future, Shark Tale, Jurassic World and The Greatest Showman. In a first for Sunset Cinema there will even be a premiere of a new film by Emily Batty, a local filmmaker, shot around Saundersfoot – Near and Distant Thing - what’s not to like?
A major leap forward has been the transition from traditional projection to a state‑of‑the‑art LED screen for Sunset Cinema. This upgrade has transformed what the Torch can offer outdoors. Unlike projectors, LED screens remain bright and clear in daylight, allowing screenings to begin earlier in the day. This shift has opened a wider range of film choices and made events far more accessible to families with young children, who can now enjoy screenings without late nights.
The LED screen has also increased operational resilience, reducing weather‑related cancellations and enabling more flexible programming across the summer season. The result is a more reliable and audience‑friendly outdoor cinema offer.
Together, these innovations demonstrate the Torch’s commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and sustainable growth - ensuring every screening is not just an event, but a memorable, community‑centred experience.
Torch Theatre’s Sunset Cinema, with Media Partner Pure West Radio, will run from Friday 17 July until Saturday 29 August. Book tickets via the website torchtheatre.co.uk/ Box Office: 01646 695267. Mae Theatr Torch yn estyn croeso cynnes i bawb o bob oedran i ddod i’w Sinema Machlud Haul ar draws y sir.
Glen Hewer - Head of Marketing at the Torch Theatre
