Words by Anna Whitfield Growing up in our current political climate, I constantly see that the world can be a very for ┬ápeople who donÔÇÖt fit into societiesÔÇÖ concept of what is ÔÇÿacceptableÔÇÖ. Naturally, human beings are scared of things that are ÔÇÿdifferentÔÇÖ. Recently, people are attempting to put forward a message through art and performance, to educate us on accepting others. Rotterdam is a … Continue reading Rotterdam | Theatre Review
If you do nothing else this month go see Dirty Dancing at the New theatre, it is genuinely sublime. Quick paced choreography twinned with an emotionally charged narrative results in an unmissable performance, which is quite simply a pleasure to watch. Set in the vibrant summer of the 1960ÔÇÖs Dirty Dancing tells the story of two lovers pulled apart by class, but brought together through … Continue reading Dirty Dancing | Theatre Review
Words by Rhiannon Humphreys The launch night for Hunter From FremonteÔÇÖs debut EP ÔÇÿPINKÔÇÖ in the Moon club started promisingly with Tobias Robertson, a singer-songwriter of outstanding talent. Robertson performed several songs from his upcoming EP, building his set up from the hauntingly sad ÔÇÿBlack DoorÔÇÖ to more uplifting tunes, such as ÔÇÿForward, EverydayÔÇÖ. As the venue filled, RobertsonÔÇÖs intimate set, which really showcased his … Continue reading Hunter From Fremonte | PINK – EP Launch Review
Words by Saoirse O’Connor I spent my Saturdays through Sixth Form volunteering in an old country manor once owned by Queen VictoriaÔÇÖs favourite prime minster. The (bright yellow) bedroom was lined with gifts from the Queen to her prime minster including many, many pictures of her children each topped with its own golden crown. One of these was a portrait of Princess Beatrice, a woman … Continue reading Victoria | Ballet Review
Words by Martha Hughes As a long-time follower of the Ru PaulÔÇÖs Drag Race brand, the prospect of attending Werq the World at Cardiff Millennium Centre was an exciting one. This tour has been a global success, and with Cardiff being the last stop on this rotation, the cast was clearly looking to impress for one last time. Hosted by Season 10ÔÇÖs Asia OÔÇÖ Hara, … Continue reading Werq the World | Review
Words by Andrea Drobna Performed on an intimate stage in CardiffÔÇÖs Millennium Centre, Class was set in a singular primary school classroom, all the scenes carried out by only three actors. With a surprising mix of both flashforward and flashback scenes throughout the performance, the show tackled issues faced by both parents and their children growing up in troubled families living in a poor area … Continue reading Class | Theatre Review
By Rachel Nurse Based on a true story of the one and only Calendar Girls- Gary Barlow and Tim FirthÔÇÖs award-winning production brings us a wonderful musical comedy. Most of the audience would have been familiar with the back story of the women from Yorkshire WomenÔÇÖs Institute whoÔÇÖs the tale has been in the public eye since 1999. These fantastic women wanted to release an … Continue reading Calendar Girls | Theatre Review
Words by Rachel Nurse Let the sunshine in Cardiff: live through the late 60ÔÇÖs with Hair the musical A product of the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution, Hair is the rock musical to see. After a sell-out run in London Hair is touring the UK on a voyage to bring back love and peace. For some the musical will be nostalgia, for others a revelation, … Continue reading Hair | Theatre Review
By Dolunay Dogahan A rather intriguing mix of a band consisting of guitar, percussion and the saxophone sets the mood for this intimate act of BizetÔÇÖs Carmen in the YMCA. Orchestrated by Stephen McNeff and played by the Cardiff University Operatic Society, the play rises above the expectations from an all student cast. If it wasnÔÇÖt for the unfortunate venue with the restrictively small stage … Continue reading Carmen | Review
Words by Ashley Boyle ÔÇ£An energetic and fun performance which traces the milestone moments of MotownÔÇØ Having already watched this stage production in London 2 years ago, I was beyond thrilled to be given the chance to review Motown the Musical here in Cardiff. Growing up, I was exposed to all of the great sounds of Motown at my grandmaÔÇÖs, making the genre among my … Continue reading Motown the Musical | Theatre Review
Words by Max Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà YouÔÇÖve gotta make a livinÔÇÖ somehow, so you may as well make it takinÔÇÖ your kit off, it seems to be working for the cast of The Full Monty. Based on the Oscar-winning (yes, you read that right) feel-good classic, you know what youÔÇÖre going to get, a good old cheeky bit of fun. But, in fact The Fully Monty … Continue reading The Full Monty | Theatre Review
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Andrea Drobna First performed almost 20 years ago, Kaite OÔÇÖReillyÔÇÖs award-winning play Peeling is a revolutionary performance focused on womenÔÇÖs and disability rights. Through incorporating audio/visual cues as well as sign language throughout the production, the show had been made accessible to all audiences, outshining the production of many mainstream theatre performances. Recently, the play has been reworked by Taking Flight Theatre … Continue reading Peeling | Theatre Review
Words by Natalya Sareen-Kadach Contemporary, urban energy meets the melancholic tragedy that is Shakespeare’s ÔÇÿRomeo and JulietÔÇÖ in the RSCÔÇÖs latest interpretation at CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre. With a purposeful lack of preliminary research I took my seat with a completely open mind, a total tabula rasa. In honesty, my subconscious had expected a lavish set and extravagant scene changes, appropriately garish Edwardian costume and an … Continue reading Romeo and Juliet | Theatre Reivew
Words By Allison Renker Vasily Petrenko moves with an awkwardness that conceals genius. The Russian-born conductor, soon to take the helm as Musical Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, has dazzled audiences round the world and can now add the Welsh public to this group. This Wednesday, with his unique, unassuming conducting style Petrenko steered the Oslo Philharmonic through the streets of ShakespeareÔÇÖs … Continue reading Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra | Reivew
Words by Christopher Colbourn Guant├ínamo Kid tells the story of Mohammed El-Gharani, one of the youngest inmates detained at Guant├ínamo Bay by the US government in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. A Saudi national arrested outside a mosque in Pakistan at the age of 14, El-Gharani spent eight years of his life detained without charge or trial, first by Pakistan and then by the … Continue reading Graphic Novel Review: Guantan├ímo Kid
The silly-sensation also known as Billionaire boy is the hot new musical adapted from David WalliamsÔÇÖ smash hit book, and is gracing CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre from 26 February ÔÇô 2nd March. A global phenomenon in the childrenÔÇÖs literature universe, David Walliams boasts worldwide sales of over 19.5 million books in more than 53 languages. Even more impressively three of WalliamsÔÇÖ books have been awarded ChildrenÔÇÖs … Continue reading Billionaire Boy | Review
Words by Abby Wilson This week weÔÇÖre off to sunny Spain ÔÇô for the production of Benidorm Live at CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre! Calling all Benidorm fans! ITVÔÇÖs award-winning comedy sitcom is celebrating over a decade of hilarity, bringing sunshine and smiles to Cardiff New TheatreÔÇÖs Stage. For a week only, Monday 18th ÔÇô Saturday 23rd February, you wonÔÇÖt want to miss your favourite staff and … Continue reading Benidorm Live | Theatre Review
Words by Rachel Nurse First and foremost, I did not know what to expect from BLUE. Every time I see a performance from Chapter I enjoy every second as each member of the production, cast and creative team embody their imagination to the fullest to accomplish an outstanding piece. BLUE is about loneliness, identity and family. In a house a few miles away from CarmarthenshireÔÇÖs … Continue reading Blue | Theatre Review
Words by Zhang Mengyang-Eva Where time stood still Amak Mahmoodian is an artist born in Shiraz and lives in Bristol, UK. Her work questions western notion of identity, expressing personal stories that are related to wider social issues from Middle East and Asia to the West. Amak has won multiple global awards in photography and from 2004, She has held many exhibitions in the UK, … Continue reading Lua Ribiera & Amak Mahmoodian | Art Preview
Words by Mel Lynch Winner of 57 major awards, over the years Jersey Boys has gained an enviable reputation which has no qualms in selling out seats worldwide. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons infamous songs defy generational differences to be beloved by all the family, and Jersey Boys portrays this admirably. Historically musicals are often adapted from books or films, yet Jersey Boys is … Continue reading Jersey Boys | Theatre Review
