THE threat of closure has been lifted from Monmouth's Savoy Theatre...for the time being, thanks to the ABBA feel-good musical film, Mamma Mia.

In box office terms the smash hit musical has become the biggest international hit of the year, but for the Savoy it has been the most important movie the theatre has shown in its 150 year history.

Its two week booking drew record crowds, with the 'house full' sign going up on one of the nights. The revenue it generated means that the charity which runs the cinema believes it can now afford to keep the theatre open, at least until the end of the year.

Little more than a month ago the news was all bad, with the Trust which operates it deciding it could only afford to keep it open until September. Mamma Mia was destined to be the last film shown before the doors closed for the last time. This week Vic Bignell, (pictured) the Trust's director, announced the reprieve, saying:

"We had sunk thousands of pounds into the Savoy, hoping to give the oldest theatre in Wales a bright future, but we were just not attracting enough of an audience to make it viable. I don't know why, but even though we have the latest films and have staged some big name shows, most nights there were not enough people to cover the electricity bills.

"The two weeks when we showed Mamma Mia have changed that. It could have been the coverage about the closure, or the feel-good power of the film, but we have had our busiest two weeks ever, which will give us enough money now to keep running for the rest of the year.

"The closure stories have also attracted lots of volunteers who are keen to see that the Savoy survives and continues to be an important entertainment centre for the community. With their help, we are now trying to relaunch ourselves, with lots of new initiatives.

"On October 9 we are going to start weekly 'Come to the Bawl' morning screenings for mothers with young children. Often young mums can't go out to the cinema without organising a baby sitter. With this club babies will be welcome and we will have nappy changing facilities and the houselights not as dimmed as for a normal showing, so that they can move about during a film if they need to" said Mr Bignell.

"We are also looking at launching a Saturday morning children's club and a once a week silver screen session for over fifties."

Other activities the Savoy is now finalising are two professional pantomimes; one for children, the other for adults. Two live plays, and an autumn programme of more big box office cinema hits, including The Duchess, Rocknrolla, and Bridehead Revisited.