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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
La┬áCage Aux Folles,┬áTuesday 31st January, New Theatre. Reviewer:┬áStephany Damyanova ÔÇ£Hey, World, I am what I am!ÔÇØ La Cage aux Folles is many things, but above all itÔÇÖs a spectacular celebration of love in all its forms. ItÔÇÖs a meticulously crafted masterpiece that radiates affection in every detail, every story, every song. It tells no lies and hides no truths, giving the audience a taste of … Continue reading Review: La Cage Aux Folles, New Theatre
La boh├¿me,┬áSaturday 28th January, Wales Millennium Centre. Reviewer:┬áMel Lynch Admittedly, before this week I had never properly visited the Millennium Centre nor attended a live Opera. However, upon experiencing both I am elated to say I was pleasantly surprised on all accounts. From my personal point of view, I was taken aback by how invested I had become in the love story of Mimi and … Continue reading Review: La boh├¿me, Wales Millennium Centre
A Regular Little Houdini,┬áFriday 27th January, Chapter Arts Centre. Reviewer: Ellie Philpotts The art of theatre can be a tricky one to master. For many of us, just the concept of performing would be enough to break out into a cold sweat (then maybe into song once we overcame any initial stage fright). And thatÔÇÖs without everything else that goes into it ÔÇô design, choreography, … Continue reading Review: A Regular Little Houdini, Chapter Arts Centre
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games,┬áSaturday 28th January, St DavidÔÇÖs Hall. Reviewer:┬áHannah Hopkins Admittedly, as an audience member I was completely new to the Lord of the Dance phenomenon, and I wouldnÔÇÖt have thought it would be anything I would ever be invested in. However, seeing Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games last night proved to me more than ever that taking yourself out of … Continue reading Review: Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, St David’s Hall
A Regular Little Houdini,┬áFriday 27th January, Chapter Arts Centre. Reviewer:┬áHannah Hopkins A Regular Little Houdini encapsulates perfectly the art and power of storytelling. The performance of A Regular Little Houdini followed the official launch of the Welsh Theatre Awards at Chapter Arts Centre. The one-man play set in Newport is a vibrant coming of age story about the son of a dockworker, who wishes to … Continue reading Review: A Regular Little Houdini, Chapter Arts
By Becca Moody (Photography by Giles Smith) Scheduled dates for stand up comedian Josie LongÔÇÖs tour dates at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff have been moved from February to May. You may have heard of Josie Long from her recent Radio 4 sitcom, Romance and Adventure, which she wrote and starred in, as well as from appearances on 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown … Continue reading Preview: Josie Long, Clwb Ifor Bach
