by Andrea Gaini ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Speechless, amazed, astonished, shocked, stunned ÔÇô in a word: Wicked. IÔÇÖve seen enough musicals to fill my room of colourful programmes, but somehow, IÔÇÖve always managed to miss Wicked. Once, it was because of a cancelled show, then a flight, and so it started to seem as if a spell had been cast upon me. Last night, despite Elphaba saying that … Continue reading Review | Wicked
By Kathleen Walker ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà It might seem a little early to mention the Nativity story, but itÔÇÖs the start of November so what better time to return to the tradition of the birth of the Messiah? ThatÔÇÖs what Patrick Barlow brings in his creation The Messiah, currently at the New Theatre before continuing on tour, eventually settling in the West End for the festive season. … Continue reading Review | The Messiah
By Gwenddolen Woebking Halloween originated from Celtic harvest festivals such as Samhain, which celebrating the end of the summer cycle at the end of October. Evil spirits were said to be scared away by people dressing up as scary entities and the gods were simultaneously honoured by the lighting of bonfires. Around 732 A.D Pope Gregory iii extended the previously by Pope Boniface IV in … Continue reading The Origins of Halloween!
Photo by┬áLeximphoto┬áon┬áUnsplash Words by Anthony Stonestreet Almost anything can be a horror story. It can be the monster lurking in the deep end of the pool, the gremlin crouching in the wardrobe. Or, it can be that one cash machine on Salisbury Road, that silent figure standing at the first floor window. Horrors constantly surround us, if we care to seek them out. That is, … Continue reading Novels That Scared You Sh*tless
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Manjeevan Kaur Athol FugardÔÇÖs The Island captures a bold image of apartheid in South Africa. The intricate relationship between John (Joe Shire) and Winston (Wela Mbusi) reinforces the perseverance of the human spirit in an impossible situation. Two political prisoners and vocal citizens for change find their personal freedom taken away. The result is profound strength and unity in the face of … Continue reading The Island | Review
By Emily Stanton ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà The clue is in the title when it comes to this murder mystery comedy musical. Two actors smartly play all 14 characters in the two hours of Joe Kinosian and Kellen BlairÔÇÖs Murder for Two. The story is a classic whodunnit about a famous author, Arthur Witney, whoÔÇÖs murdered at his surprise birthday party. Although set in a small American town, … Continue reading Murder for Two | Review
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Doing a degree that requires weekly reams of readings, IÔÇÖm ashamed to say has resulted in the recent realisation that itÔÇÖs been months, if not years, since IÔÇÖve read a book simply for pleasure. In order to remedy this, I decided to pick up Hackney Child, a true story depicting the harrowing life of nine-year-old Hope Daniels. The central themes of … Continue reading Review: Hackney Child
By Kathleen Walker ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Eighteen years ago, a choir was by formed by a group of friends joining together to sing for after-dinner entertainment. ItÔÇÖs a story which could be repeated around campuses and local communities across the country. Just take a look at our Student UnionÔÇÖs current list of societies bursting with energy and talent. But ten years ago, Tim Rhys-Evans (MBE) helped his … Continue reading Review | Only Men Aloud Decade Gala Concert
By Alys Jones Chippy Lane Productions is a London-based Welsh company which promotes Welsh and Wales-based theatre talent to audiences in and beyond Wales. It was founded in 2016 by Cardiff-born actor, writer and producer, Rebecca Jade Hammond who was recently spotlighted as one of the ÔÇÿ100 Women of WalesÔÇÖ 2018 by Wales Arts Review. This award draws attention to women who are inspiring the … Continue reading Review | Chippy Lane Podcast
By Abbie Rands ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà From the moment we enter the auditorium to a stage illuminated by soft blue lighting and filled with chairs from edge to edge, I can tell this is going to be something special. There is a sense of both excitement and reverence which marks this out as being a one-of-a-kind performance. There was a wonderful sense of respect and community as … Continue reading RAF Centenary Concert | Review
By Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Pack up your troubles and step into a vibrant and emotive centenary celebration of the First World War.┬á At the St DavidÔÇÖs Hall, the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra met once again to perform the suites and music of some of the most influential Composers of the First World War. Conducted by Michael Bell (MBE), this dramatic production took the audience on a … Continue reading Composers of the First World War: A Commemoration | Review
Featured Image Credit:┬áSam Taylor ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Lottie Ennis Lord of the Flies is a classic story depicting the brutal savagery committed by some castaway children and I was incredibly excited to see this daring production of Lord of the Flies, as the book by William Golding is one of my favourites. Directed by Emma Jordan, this is a female adaptation of a traditionally all male … Continue reading Lord of the Flies | Review
By Juliet Hall ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver is best known for his role as lead presenter on BBCÔÇÖs Coast, the long running documentary series which travels BritainÔÇÖs coastline uncovering the stories and secrets of this island nation. Thanks to his popularity on Coast, Oliver has launched a successful writing career and is the author of several books focusing on the culture and history … Continue reading Review | Neil OliverÔÇÖs ÔÇÿThe Story of the British Isles in 100 PlacesÔÇÖ
By: Andrea Drobna ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Founded in 1974, Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo (Trocks, for short) have toured all over the world, showing people a very different side of ballet than most are used to. The all-male ballet troupe has broken the stereotype that only women can dance on pointe, challenging these assumptions by using elements of humor and intentional mistakes to lighten the otherwise … Continue reading Review | Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà As a first time visitor to Chapter Arts I arrived optimistic about the quality of production I was set to view. For nearly half a decade Chapter has had the reputation as CardiffÔÇÖs cultural hub, facilitating new talent and showcasing the best of both Welsh and international creativity in their multi-artform space. Apart from knowing it would be a small cast … Continue reading 2023 | Theatre Review
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Jasmine Snow David Bowie may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on through the Bowie Experience, a breathtaking concert featuring all of BowieÔÇÖs greatest hits from Space Oddity to Black Star. Laurence KnightÔÇÖs tribute act started back in 1997 at the end of his college music course. Today he is touring the entirety of the UK, performing with intricate attention … Continue reading Theatre Review: The Bowie Experience
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Sofia Brizio La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini is one of the most famous and arguably most enjoyable pieces of Italian opera. This ÔÇÿdrama giocosoÔÇÖ in two acts presents an unconventional version of the classic Cinderella story: a tale where the glass slipper is replaced by a bracelet; the Fairy Godmother is a philosopher; and an evil stepfather substitutes the traditional stepmother. Extremely unusual … Continue reading Review | RossiniÔÇÖs Cinderella
By Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Touring over 35 locations across the UK and Ireland in September and October, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour has splashed back onto the shores of Cardiff! Showcasing some of the worldÔÇÖs best Ocean Films, ÔÇ£from above and below the surfaceÔÇØ the audience at the St DavidÔÇÖs Hall were treated to an evening filled with seven stunning and emotional ocean themed … Continue reading Ocean Film Festival 2018 | Review
By┬áBethany Griffiths The nights are drawing in and Pumpkin Spiced Lattes are back. It can only mean one thingÔǪ autumn is here at last. And what better way to settle into the autumn season than with a cosy read to accompany you on a rainy Sunday afternoon? After a long week of lectures and traipsing around Cardiff in the rain thereÔÇÖs nothing I like more … Continue reading Rainy Day Reads
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà This Autumn, the Welsh National Opera has a taken over our beloved Millennium centre, so naturally it would be rude not to check out their latest offerings. Last weekend I was lucky enough to do just that and by the final curtain I was left surprised, captivated and honestly a bit knackered. Among audiences, La Traviata is one of the most … Continue reading La Traviata | Opera Review
