Sherman CymruÔÇÖs first production with Rachel OÔÇÖRiordan at the helm presents a rough and edgy adaptation of a Shakespearean classic. This October saw the opening of Sherman Cymru’s production of Romeo and Juliet; Rachel OÔÇÖRiordanÔÇÖs first as Artistic Director. The concept of ‘street Shakespeare’ is not new, as many adaptations (including Baz Luhrmann’s well-loved film) have used an urban setting to portray the story of … Continue reading Review: Romeo and Juliet
Agent 160 is a writer-led all female theatre company. Taking their name from Aphra Benn, a female playwright/spy (Agent 160 was her codename). We spoke to Lisa Parry, one of the founders and playwrights of Agent 160. Lisa was driven to set up Agent 160 after a conference led by the Sphinx Theatre Company in 2010 revealed the shocking statistic that only 17% of all … Continue reading Agent 160- Interview with Lisa Parry
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to watch the rehearsals for Sherman CymruÔÇÖs upcoming performance of Romeo and Juliet. A select few young critics and reviewers were invited to view the rehearsal process and even we had the opportunity chat with director Rachel OÔÇÖRiordan afterwards. After arriving and exchanging a few introductions, we sat down to watch the cast rehearse … Continue reading An Afternoon at Sherman Cymru
The comedy scene in Cardiff is growing in leaps and bounds, and the cityÔÇÿs got quite a few places to thank for the rise of this new trend. One of themÔÇÖs the legendary Glee Club… Everyone who lives in Cardiff has their own hidden gem, a venue that is special to you and undervalued by others. Mine is the Glee Club. It may not be … Continue reading Twenty Years of Glee!
Culture editors Jasmine Freeman and Elouise Hobbs bring you ten of CardiffÔÇÖs cultural treasures you wish you knew about. Go unearth them! I want to do something different Ever fancied watching an opera? Well, the Welsh National Opera offers 50 ┬ú5 tickets in the top three price bands for Under 30s for every performance. What’s more, for some performances there are free Pre-Performance Talks that … Continue reading Hidden Gems for the Curious Student
It was comedyÔÇÖs answer to the Led Zeppelin reunion. Michael Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones announced in November that, despite the death of Graham Chapman in 1989, Monty Python would be reuniting for a show at LondonÔÇÖs O2 Arena. Selling out the venue in less than a minute to British comedy fans and shameful ticket touts alike, demand for the … Continue reading Review: The Monty Python Show, O2 Arena (London)
This year, a group of Cardiff students┬á set out to photograph hundreds of ordinary people in Cardiff to emphasize the importance of the locals in creating a city-wide identity. Quench Culture editor Amy Pay interviewed James Cuddy, one of the project’s members, to find out about whether they achieved their goal of creating art from everyday faces. James Cuddy, You Are Cardiff – – – … Continue reading Interview ÔÇô James Cuddy, You Are Cardiff
DC Comics puts out a load of great comics, but it can be really hard to figure out which ones fit your tastes or feature the heroes you care to read about. But donÔÇÖt worry about that, weÔÇÖve got you covered. Check out the following list of our favourite DC books to learn what the stories are about, why theyÔÇÖre worth reading, and where to … Continue reading So You Want To Read a DC Comic …
Last week the Broadway Dance Society performed their annual showcase, featuring popular musicals like Wicked, Mamma Mia, Billy Elliott, and The Lord of the Rings. Vaiva Seskeviciute reviews the studentsÔÇÖ powerful performance Broadway Dance Society performed ÔÇ£Curtain CallÔÇØ last Saturday at The Gate Arts Centre where viewers could enjoy tap, jazz, ballet, Irish, American high-kick and contemporary dance. During the two-hour show the audience was … Continue reading Review: Curtain Call (by Broadway Dance Society), The Gate
Culture editor Sum Sze Tam ventured into a stained-glass church for an evening of atmospheric music that veered from the brassy, to rousing, to the absolutely beautiful Perhaps the most impactful thing about this concert, before it even began, was the venue. Set in St TeiloÔÇÖs church on Woodville Road, the audience are seated on pews in between the pillars of the church interior. YouÔÇÖre … Continue reading Review: Windband & Chamber Orchestra Concert, St TeiloÔÇÖs Church
A one-woman, one-dog show has come like a whirlwind into Cardiff, and itÔÇÖs a story of celebrity culture and the consequences of putting yourself in the public eye, all wrapped up with plenty of sparkling, simple humour Major Tom is an original one-woman show created and performed by Victoria Melody, detailing her and her bassett houndÔÇÖs (the title character) adventures in beauty pageants and dog … Continue reading Review: Major Tom, WMC
WickedÔÇÖs fourth stop on its UK-wide tour flew into CardiffÔÇÖs Wales Millennium Centre on March 12th and will remain there until 26th April. Jordan Nicholls went to see whether this production defied gravity or not Based on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Wicked traces ultimately how Glinda earns her title of Glinda the … Continue reading Review: Wicked, Wales Millenium Centre
Russell HowardÔÇÖs career has gone from strength to strength. Starting off as the geeky guy with a lazy eye from Mock The Week, he gained huge success with his own show: Russell HowardÔÇÖs Good News. Yet, it is as a stand-up comedian where he is most at home. Wonderbox is his first tour for three years and he returns with an increased popularity, having his … Continue reading Review: Russell Howard, Motorpoint Arena
Now that Morgan Arcade Studios has closed down, its artists have been forced to relocate. However, just because the artists are lacking a place to create their art doesnÔÇÖt mean we canÔÇÖt give them a home on our pages. Freddie Rochez showcases the former Morgan Arcade illustrators who continue to work in Cardiff. Be inspired by their creativity! Julien Decaudin Julien Decaudin is originally from … Continue reading Drawn in Cardiff
As one of CardiffÔÇÖs biggest hubs for freelance artists closes, Culture editor Amy Pay documents┬áMorgan Arcade StudiosÔÇÖ short history and questions the future for creatives in Cardiff Next time you walk through town, let your eyes drift. Take in the structure of the buildings, look up to see what occupies the floors above the shops and observe our city properly. Until the beginning of this … Continue reading Morgan Arcade Studios
There’s been a recent trend in broadcasting theatre, either live or recorded, on the internet or in cinemas. But people have been debating about whether this encourages people and shows, or discourages them and just allows them to stay at home. Jasmine Freeman tells us both sides of the story. The latest trend of streaming live theatre is breaking down the barriers between the masses … Continue reading Into the Stream
With the beginning of the Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs new season; ÔÇÿFallen WomenÔÇÖ, in Wales Millennium Centre next week, the subject of operaÔÇÖs place in the young adultÔÇÖs life is questioned. Jordan Nicholls takes us through some of the myths that have popped up around opera, and why theyÔÇÖre false. Many young adults are culturally curious, and enjoy activities such as trips to the museum and … Continue reading Fallen Women, Falling Myths
A brand new, and very well-publicised comedy night has come to Buffalo Bar. Sitting right on the doorstep of Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs student populous, Buffalo comedy promised to bring a professional comedy night with value for money, and it has already delivered with its first instalment. The room feels like home for stand-up comedy; its capacity balances intimacy and gathering perfectly, and the acoustics make every … Continue reading Review: Buffalo Comedy, Buffalo Bar
Although there is a focus on monetary success, Why WasnÔÇÖt I Taught This At School? aims to bring an all-round feeling of success which stretches from career to personal life. The central idea is that change is possible, but only if it comes from within; that thinking like a winner leads to acting like a winner, leads to being a winner. Reynolds adopts a Nurture … Continue reading Book Review: ‘Why WasnÔÇÖt I Taught This At School?’ by Dave Reynolds
Culture are on a mission to debunk the myths that make opera seem boring and unapproachable. Vaiva Seskeviciute reviews the dramatic story of La traviata, where the courtesan ViolettaÔÇÖs rise and tragic fall is spellbindingly presented through dance, music and song. Images courtesy of┬áRoger Donovan A string orchestra, and the mysterious walk of Alfredo opened the scene of La traviata, VerdiÔÇÖs most famous opera. The … Continue reading Review: La traviata, WMC
