AMMANFORD’S Miners’ Theatre is gearing up for a festival of music to celebrate its new grand piano.

Piano Fest 2012 is set to provide a fantastic showpiece for the concert-standard instrument, and already internationally- renowned musicians are lining up to put the piano through its paces.

Piano Fest 2012 is due to begin on Thursday, September 20, when David Doidge will give a lunch-time recital to schools and college students from the Ammanford area from 1.30pm.

Local pianist and the Miners’ musical director Gerald Jones will perform a Chopin recital on Tuesday, September 25, from 7.30pm, for the benefit of contributors to the piano restoration fund.

Tickets cost £8.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the festival comes on Friday, September 28, when world-renowned pianist Llyr Williams will take centre stage with star cellist Thomas Carroll.

Tickets to see the pair, costing £15, are available from the box office of Theatr Elli in Llanelli.

Seating is limited to 140 so tickets are likely to sell out quickly.

Miners Theatre trustee Peter Pemberton said: “It really is quite a coup to have such internationally renowned musicians appearing in Ammanford.

“We had the piano delivered 12 months ago, but to put such a festival together has taken considerable time due to the international commitments of Llyr and Thomas.

“We now have this incredible facility at the Miners Theatre and we really want people to see what this fantastic instrument is capable of. We also want to remind people that they can book the venue and use the piano themselves.

This wonderful venue and piano are for the benefit of the entire community.”

To find out more about Piano Fest 2012, call 0845 2263510 or visit theatrausirgar.co.uk