Category: Culture

Culture

Review: The Circus of Horrors, St David’s Hall

The Circus of Horrors,┬áWednesday 22nd March, St David’s Hall, Reviewer: Mel Lynch Despite forming in 1995 The Circus of HorrorsÔÇÖ first rose to celebrity status after performing on BritainÔÇÖs Got Talent in 2011. Initially I thought I had some idea about what to expect. However, upon seeing the shows promotional t-shirts which read ÔÇÿKeep calm or fuck offÔÇÖ I started to fear for what I … Continue reading Review: The Circus of Horrors, St David’s Hall

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Evita, New Theatre

Evita, Monday 20th March, New Theatre, Reviewer: Hannah Hopkins Evita has always, for me at least, been one of those musicals known for a few great songs whilst the rest of the plot has often faded into obscurity. Yet, this production completely changed my mind. The story is powerful and poignant, though the musical elements make it fun and all the more engaging. Following a … Continue reading Review: Evita, New Theatre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Seanmhair, The Other Room

Seanmhair, Thursday 16th March, The Other Room, Reviewer: Isabel Wright Pebbles would crack against my window in the pitch of the night IÔÇÖd lean out and say ÔÇô What do you want Tommy MacLeish you black eyed monster? And he says ÔÇô “You.” Hywel JohnÔÇÖs Seanmhair explores the life of Jenny, a strong willed Scottish woman, and her relationship to her husband, Tommy. Their connection … Continue reading Review: Seanmhair, The Other Room

Hannah Hopkins
Arts Reviews, Culture

Review: The Red Shoes, Wales Millennium Centre

The Red Shoes, Tuesday 14th March, Wales Millenium Centre, Reviewer: Gemma Gibson Matthew BourneÔÇÖs dance company, New Adventures, are renowned for their vast selection of ballets including Swan Lake, The Car Man, and Sleeping Beauty, and this week the Wales Millennium Centre has been graced by their latest touring masterpiece-┬á a magical, original adaptation of 1948ÔÇÖs fairytale sensation – The Red Shoes. Audiences are welcomed … Continue reading Review: The Red Shoes, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Gaslight, New Theatre

Gaslight,┬áTuesday 14th March, New Theatre,┬áReviewer: Hannah Hopkins A Victorian townhouse in London. Bella Manningham is slowly losing her mind. A picture goes missing from the piano, her watch disappears. There are mysterious noises coming from the out-of-bounds top floor and the gaslights above the fireplace are slowly dimmingÔǪ Patrick HamiltonÔÇÖs Gaslight was written in 1938. A pseudo-Victorian thriller, this adaption paints the disturbing┬áportrait of an … Continue reading Review: Gaslight, New Theatre

Hannah Hopkins
Arts Reviews, Culture

Review: Danza Contemporánea de Cuba, Wales Millennium Centre

Danza Contempor├ínea de Cuba, Tuesday 28th February, Wales Millennium Centre, Reviewer: Penelope Barnes The long-established and highly prestigious Danza Contempor├ínea De Cuba stopped in Cardiff this February, bringing with them a welcomed ray of Cuban sunshine to an otherwise wintery Welsh evening. A hot-ticket for any dance fan, the troupe boasts a blend of smooth American modernism and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, flecked with European ballet. However, … Continue reading Review: Danza Contempor├ínea de Cuba, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: The Wedding Singer, New Theatre

The Wedding Singer, Monday 27th February, New Theatre, Reviewer: Maria Mellor When the lights went down and the actors came out on stage, my initial reaction was confusion. Having seen the Adam Sandler film on which the play is based, I thought I had known what to expect but it was definitely not this. I felt like never before in my life had I seen … Continue reading Review: The Wedding Singer, New Theatre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Ones to watch: The Circus of Horrors, St David’s Hall

What? The Circus of Horrors Where? St David’s Hall When? Wednesday 22nd March 2017 The Circus of Horrors┬áis┬ácelebrating its 21st anniversary and is taking to the road with its latest incarnation ÔÇ£The Never-ending NightmareÔÇØ. The group can be found at St David’s Hall on the evening of Wednesday 22nd March. The spectacular features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre, brave & beautiful acts all woven into … Continue reading Ones to watch: The Circus of Horrors, St David’s Hall

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Dancing Bear Dancing Bear, RWCMD

Dancing Bear, Dancing Bear, Friday 24th February, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Reviewer: Alice Townsend. I wouldnÔÇÖt recommend going to see this performance if youÔÇÖre a prude. When you walk into the theatre thereÔÇÖs two fully naked men facing you on stage. Fortunately they warn you the performance contains nudity just before they put their clothes on. Dancing Bear, Dancing Bear┬áis a two … Continue reading Review: Dancing Bear Dancing Bear, RWCMD

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Fantastic Mr Fox, New Theatre

Fantastic Mr Fox, Tuesday 21st February, New Theatre, Reviewer: Ashley Boyle Any ÔÇÿhuman beanÔÇÖ who has ever had the pleasure of reading a Roald Dahl novel will know how energetic and engaging the stories are, be it in a chocolate factory, a monkey circus or Giant Country, and this adaptation of his much loved Fantastic Mr Fox story truly brings the pages to life. Fantastic … Continue reading Review: Fantastic Mr Fox, New Theatre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Pride and Prejudice, Wales Millennium Centre

Pride and Prejudice,┬áTuesday 21st February, Wales Millennium Centre, Reivewer: Hannah Hopkins Simon ReadeÔÇÖs stage adaptation of Jane AustenÔÇÖs Pride and Prejudice is a fabulous, heart-warming and unpretentious performance. Shortened and compacted only out of necessity for the stage, the style remains┬áclose to that of the original novel and all the key moments are retained. There is a lot of ground to cover with the play, … Continue reading Review: Pride and Prejudice, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: A Lost Place, Cardiff University School of Music

A Lost Place,┬áSunday 19th February, Cardiff University School of Music, Reviewer: Mel Lynch Described in the productions synopsis as ÔÇÿa new musical which provides no answers, just more questionsÔÇÖ, on reflection, I have to agree. Both composed and directed by Callum Spooner, A lost Place is a new musical that I had the opportunity to experience at CardiffÔÇÖs UniversityÔÇÖs very own School of Music. The … Continue reading Review: A Lost Place, Cardiff University School of Music

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Le Vin herb├®, Wales Millennium Centre

Le Vin herb├®, Thursday 16th February, Wales Millennium Centre, Reviewer: Hannah Hopkins Le Vin herb├® is my introduction to opera and Polly GrahamÔÇÖs staging for the Welsh National Opera is an understated and contemporary affair with all the intricacies that I expected from the genre. Le Vin herb├® tells the tale of Iseult the Fair, Princess of Ireland, is taken by sea to marry King … Continue reading Review: Le Vin herb├®, Wales Millennium Centre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra’s St Valentine’s Day Special, St David’s Hall

Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra’s St Valentine’s Day Special, St Davids Hall, Tuesday 14th February, Reviewer: Dan Heard I must confess, I’m not usually one for watching an orchestra perform. While I admire the skill and dedication required to arrange a performance like this, it was never something I thought I’d enjoy, let alone willingly go and see. My attitude changed significantly on Valentine’s Night though, as … Continue reading Review: Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra’s St Valentine’s Day Special, St David’s Hall

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Interview: Carl Donnelly

Edinburgh Fringe favourite┬áCarl DonnellyÔÇÖs style of comedy has landed him nominations for the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2013 and for Best Newcomer in 2009 and The Guardian have even referred to him as an “observational genius”. ┬áHannah Hopkins and Becca Moody got the chance to interview him just before he embarks on the UK tour of his eighth show ‘Bad Man Tings’.┬á   Are panel … Continue reading Interview: Carl Donnelly

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Dreamboats and Petticoats, New Theatre

Dreamboats and Petticoats is the fifties and sixties inspired musical that features popular rock-and-roll hits and a whole lot of singing and dancing ensembles. It tells the story of teenager Bobby’s love of music, his partaking in a songwriting competition and his experience with love and relationships. The set and design for the performance was incredible and very full on. The set and props stayed … Continue reading Review: Dreamboats and Petticoats, New Theatre

bethangirdlermaslen
Arts Reviews, Culture

Review: Sinners Club, The Other Room

Sinners Club, Thursday 9th February, The Other Room, Reviewer: Bob Wigin Not a play but a piece of ÔÇÿGig theatreÔÇÖ, Sinners Club loosely portrays the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain. Lucy Rivers of theatre company Gabblebabble and her musical accompaniment The Bad Mothers play at recording an album while the audience sit around the edges of The Other … Continue reading Review: Sinners Club, The Other Room

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Madam Butterfly, Wales Millennium Centre

Madam Butterfly is the powerful opera by Giacomo Puccini which depicts the story of Cio-Cio-San or ‘Madam Butterfly’ who partakes in an arranged marriage with Lieutenant Pinkerton. The marriage is one of convenience for Pinkerton but Butterfly falls in love with him and the marriage and Butterfly’s story ends in tragedy. The set and design for the opera was intricate but simple at the same … Continue reading Review: Madam Butterfly, Wales Millennium Centre

bethangirdlermaslen
Culture

Review: The Verdict, New Theatre

The Verdict,┬áTuesday 7th February, New Theatre. Reviewer:┬áSarah Harris Ever been part of a jury? Well, this is your chance. The Verdict at CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre is based on the 1982 Sidney Lumet film. Set in America, the play follows the story of Frank Galvin, played by Clive Mantle, a former lawyer and newly-turned alcoholic who’s life is in despair until he takes on a lawsuit … Continue reading Review: The Verdict, New Theatre

Hannah Hopkins
Culture

Review: Tiff Stevenson, The Riverfront, Newport

Tiff Stevenson, The Riverfront, Newport, Reviewer: Daniel Heard Tiff Stevenson might not be a household name on the comedy circuit, but make no mistake, she deserves to be. You might have seen her on spits on ÔÇ£Russell HowardÔÇÖs Good NewsÔÇØ or ÔÇ£Live at the ApolloÔÇØ, but if you get the chance to see her in her element, take it. Drawing on a lot of real … Continue reading Review: Tiff Stevenson, The Riverfront, Newport

Hannah Hopkins