Review: The Snow Queen, Wales Millennium Centre

The Snow Queen, Thursday 1st December, Weston Studio at Wales Millennium Centre. Reviewer: Hannah Hopkins.┬á Photography: Jonathan Dunn Last night was the opening night of Hijinx OdysseyÔÇÖs The Snow Queen, directed by Jon Dafydd-Kidd. Hijinx Odyssey is an inclusive community group for adults, brought together by their passion for performing, as well as the amateur arm of the Welsh theatre company, Hijinx. This was a … Continue reading Review: The Snow Queen, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah HopkinsDecember 2, 2016December 2, 2016

Review: A Christmas Carol, New Theatre

A Christmas Carol, Tuesday 29th November, New Theatre. Reviewer: Faith Clarke On Tuesday night the doors opened to A Christmas Carol, performed by the Orbit Theatre group and directed and choreographed by Rob Thorne Jnr. and Nicola Boyd-Anderson, respectively. The performance was charismatic and warming ÔÇô a step back in time to the Dickensian streets of London, perfectly accentuated by the enchanting red and gold … Continue reading Review: A Christmas Carol, New Theatre

Hannah HopkinsNovember 30, 2016

Review: The Full Monty, Wales Millennium Centre

The Full Monty, Tuesday 22rd November, Wales Millennium Centre. Reviewer:┬áHannah Stait Sparks were flying in the Wales Millennium Centre this week as thousands flocked to see a bunch of incredibly talented actors get their kit off in homage to the BAFTA winning 1997 classic film The Full Monty! Winner of the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production, this show was nothing short of belly … Continue reading Review: The Full Monty, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah HopkinsNovember 24, 2016November 28, 2016

Review: Some People Talk About Violence, The Other Room

Some People Talk About Violence, Wednesday 23rd November, The Other Room. Reviewer: Bob Wigin The word ÔÇÿperformanceÔÇÖ may more suitably describe Barrel OrganÔÇÖs most recent play as, if you go and see Some People Talk of Violence, expect much on-stage improvisation, audience participation and lots of JacobÔÇÖs Cream Crackers being shoved in to mouths. We are presented with a mother, brother, daughter and narrator, each … Continue reading Review: Some People Talk About Violence, The Other Room

Hannah HopkinsNovember 24, 2016November 24, 2016

Arts Reviews, Culture

Artes Mundi 7

On 21st October, Artes Mundi 7 Exhibition and Prize opened its doors to the public, showcasing work from six artists from around the world. Both National Museum Cardiff and Chapter Arts centre play host to the innovative and contemporary pieces and Quench Culture got an opportunity to go along and learn more. The Artes Mundi exhibition at the Cardiff Museum is a display that features … Continue reading Artes Mundi 7

Hannah HopkinsNovember 22, 2016November 24, 2016

Review: The Rocky Horror Show, New Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show, Monday 21st November, The Other Room. Reviewer: Rachel Nurse The Rocky Horror Show is one of the most iconic musical theatre shows, performed each year around the globe and is seen by thousands, maybe even millions. Yet, it still never fails to amuse me and it was an outstanding show by all the cast members at the New Theatre on Monday. … Continue reading Review: The Rocky Horror Show, New Theatre

Hannah HopkinsNovember 22, 2016November 24, 2016

Review: Blink, The Other Room

Blink, Wednesday 9th November, The Other Room. Reviewer:┬áBecca Moody IÔÇÖve been living in Cardiff for nearly two months now and am starting to get that itching feeling that I am not fully absorbing the cityÔÇÖs culture. Yes, IÔÇÖve been to CardiffÔÇÖs Glee Club (which is a great night out, donÔÇÖt get me wrong, but IÔÇÖm already a regular punter at the Birmingham venue, which isnÔÇÖt … Continue reading Review: Blink, The Other Room

Hannah HopkinsNovember 11, 2016November 24, 2016

Review: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, New Theatre

Breakfast at TiffanyÔÇÖs is somewhat of a classic. The LBD, pearls, gloves and hat combo, all paired with perfectly manicured nails and not a hair out of place, were styled so sophisticatedly by Audrey Hepburn at the height of her career that they formed arguably one of the last centuryÔÇÖs most timeless looks. Of course, aesthetics alone arenÔÇÖt what cemented Breakfast at TiffanyÔÇÖs as among … Continue reading Review: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, New Theatre

Hannah HopkinsNovember 9, 2016

Review: All or Nothing, New Theatre

I have to admit, before seeing All or Nothing┬ámy knowledge of mod culture and music was very limited. I knew about Twiggy, the short dresses and the doll eyes and that was about it. However, after two wonderful hours spent watching the musical, I can now proudly say that IÔÇÖm absolutely taken by everything that era had to offer and feel nostalgic for days that … Continue reading Review: All or Nothing, New Theatre

Hannah HopkinsNovember 3, 2016November 3, 2016

Preview: Welsh National Opera, Kiss Me, Kate

ÔÇ£1940s Baltimore and itÔÇÖs opÔÇÖninÔÇÖ night of a musical version of┬áThe Taming of the Shrew. Rehearsals are over, costumes donned and thereÔÇÖs a 10 minute curtain call. What youÔÇÖre about to witness is a whole lot more than ShakespeareÔÇÖs comic love storyÔÇªÔÇØ Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs Autumn season featured three productions inspired by William Shakespeare, as part of the official Shakespeare 400 celebrations to commemorate the … Continue reading Preview: Welsh National Opera, Kiss Me, Kate

Hannah HopkinsNovember 1, 2016

Review: The Versions of Us

Book review: The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett The Versions of Us tells three potential tales of the main protagonists Eva and Jim, after they quite literally bump into each other whilst studying at university, and shows us each different way that things could have gone for them. None of the tales are perfect, which is why I fell in love with the book. … Continue reading Review: The Versions of Us

Hannah HopkinsNovember 1, 2016June 18, 2020

Review: Blackbird, The Other Room

There are voices, the light comes on; a man and woman stand across from each other in a small dreary lunchroom room – so Blackbird begins. She appears vulnerable but defiant and he, like he has seen a ghost from his past, and repeatedly asserts that he did not have to talk to her: ÔÇÿWho is she?ÔÇÖ ÔÇÿWhy does he want to avoid her?ÔÇÖ The … Continue reading Review: Blackbird, The Other Room

Hannah HopkinsOctober 30, 2016October 30, 2016

Review: Josh Widdicombe, St David’s Hall

ItÔÇÖs safe to say that Josh WiddicombeÔÇÖs profile has never been higher, due to his role on The Last Leg and his eponymous BBC one sitcom. With an increase in profile comes a higher demand, leading to Josh performing at St. DavidÔÇÖs Hall last week. Josh himself addressed this, seemingly very happy at the venue being full. Unfortunately, his brand of aloof observational humour didnÔÇÖt … Continue reading Review: Josh Widdicombe, St David’s Hall

Hannah HopkinsOctober 30, 2016February 8, 2020

Review: George’s Marvellous Medicine, New Theatre

The Birmingham Stage Company presented me with a play full of fantastical potions and characters, audience interaction and hilarity that can only be associated with Roald DahlÔÇÖs magical world. GeorgeÔÇÖs Marvellous Medicine, adapted by David Wood and directed by Phil Clark, presents the story of George, a lonely boy living on his parentÔÇÖs farm with only sheep and pigs for company. For those unfamiliar with … Continue reading Review: George’s Marvellous Medicine, New Theatre

Hannah HopkinsOctober 26, 2016

Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wales Millennium Centre

4th August 2016, Wales Millennium Centre The golden d├®cor of the Millennium Centre merely mirrored the magic that was put before us as the curtains rose to show the world famous Chitty car, winning the grand prix, before crashing into retirement. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is unarguably a classic; with nearing 50 years of fantasmagorical entertainment, this theatre adaptation had some rather large shoes to … Continue reading Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah HopkinsOctober 24, 2016

Review: Verdi’s Nabucco, St. David’s Hall

Award winning director Ellen Kent graced Cardiff with her tour of VerdiÔÇÖs Nabucco this week. The storyÔÇÖs libretto is studded with themes of jealously, revenge and suffering, amid both a romantic and a political plotline. The audience followed the opression of the Jews through their exile by King Nabucco, whilst his oldest daughter Abigaille struggled with unrequited love, and is handed her true origins as … Continue reading Review: Verdi’s Nabucco, St. David’s Hall

Hannah HopkinsOctober 20, 2016October 20, 2016

Review: Ghost, New Theatre

Everyone knows Ghost as a classic. The iconic 1990 film not only catapulted Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze even further into the public eye, where theyÔÇÖve long enjoyed a reputation as among the industryÔÇÖs biggest talents, but arguably also set the pace for romantic movies for years to come. So understandably, the announcement of it being adapted into a musical, touring UK theatres from launching … Continue reading Review: Ghost, New Theatre

Hannah HopkinsOctober 18, 2016

Cardiff- a Creative City

This year Cardiff has witnessed the celebration of 100 years of our favourite childrenÔÇÖs author, Roald Dahl. The city has been transformed into a fantastical world full of giant peaches and exciting exhibitions for all. Some of these have included the ÔÇ£Quentin Blake: Inside StoriesÔÇØ exhibition in the National Museum, which features until the 20th November, CardiffÔÇÖs ÔÇ£City of the UnexpectedÔÇØ in September and ÔÇ£The … Continue reading Cardiff- a Creative City

Hannah HopkinsOctober 16, 2016

Review: Mamma Mia!, Wales Millennium Centre

ÔÇ£We would like to warn those with nervous disposition that platform boots and white lycra will feature in this productionÔÇØ. And feature it did- in the form of tap-tastic flippers and electric costumes that had us green with envy and hoping for these fabulous bat sleeves and bright bottoms to be acceptable trends for the next spring/summer season. Post PSA and excited giggles from the … Continue reading Review: Mamma Mia!, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah HopkinsOctober 16, 2016October 16, 2016

Cardiff University Music Society’s Flash Mob

Unsurprisingly, I was intrigued when an email appeared in the Quench Culture inbox from Cardiff University Music Society detailing a flash mob set to take place in Cardiff City centre last Saturday. Of course, the first of October made its presence known by blessing us with a surprisingly chillier temperature and on-and-off rain all day, but I headed over to the Cardiff Central Library undeterred … Continue reading Cardiff University Music Society’s Flash Mob

Hannah HopkinsOctober 3, 2016October 3, 2016