Hela | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Patak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Hela, by the up-and-coming playwright Mari Izzard, is the closing segment in the Other RoomÔÇÖs Violence Series. It gives a glimpse into a dystopian world, and is the most violent indeed since it involves children. Its themes, visuals, characters and wordplay are certainly not for the faint-hearted. The two characters Hugh, played by Gwydion Rhys, and Erin, played … Continue reading Hela | Theatre Review

Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review

By Elly Savva ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà As somebody who was infatuated with Henrik IbsenÔÇÖs Dollshouse, I jumped on the opportunity to watch the Sherman TheatreÔÇÖs production of its darker sister play Hedda Gabler. Under the vision of Chelsea Walker, the production takes a new stylistic direction, leaving the audience dazzled and spellbound. It is not the type of performance that you can enjoy from the comfort of … Continue reading Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review

The Place I Call Home | Photography Exhibition Review

By Sarah Anne Griffiths ÔÇÿHomeÔÇÖ is a word which embodies many things: a sense of comfort and closure, protection within four walls; home is a place where you should feel most yourself, most at ease and free to express yourself without inhibitions. FfotogalleryÔÇÖs latest photography exhibition embodies these characteristics in a cross-cultural photographic exploration of what ÔÇÿhomeÔÇÖ is within and around various GCC countries as … Continue reading The Place I Call Home | Photography Exhibition Review

Photography Season 19-20 at the National Museum | Review

By Sarah Anne Griffiths The National MuseumÔÇÖs latest photography exhibition includes work curated by four of the most prestigious photographers within the photography world. Upon attending the press preview of the exhibition it became apparent that Cardiff, and Wales as a whole, is truly honoured to have such important photographic work on display in our capital city. One of the four photographers is August Sander. … Continue reading Photography Season 19-20 at the National Museum | Review

Frankenstein | Theatre Review

By Rhian Lock Ôÿà Ôÿà As a big fan of Gothic horror and theatre respectively, Rona MunroÔÇÖs theatrical reworking of Frankenstein was a show that I had been desperate to catch. Rather than leaving Mary Shelley – the author of Frankenstein – behind the pen, Munro transports her into the play itself, lending her the driving narrative. Eilidh Loan is zany as Shelley, manically whizzing … Continue reading Frankenstein | Theatre Review

Editing: How far is too far?

By Katherine Mallett The quest for THE ÔÇÿperfect pictureÔÇÖ seems to be infinite. A plethora of editing apps that offer countless filter options, lighting settings and blurring tools. It therefore comes as no surprise that we live in a society that breeds and even feeds self-image issues. The big question is: how far is too far? A deep dive into the app-store It doesnÔÇÖt take … Continue reading Editing: How far is too far?

Graphic Novel Review: Mozart in Paris

Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Mozart in Paris is a compelling graphic novel by French creator Frantz Duchazeau, recounting MozartÔÇÖs adventures in Paris. The 22-year-old Austrian composer notoriously sought refuge in the French capital after being disappointed by the scarce recognition he was getting in his hometown of Salzburg. Mozart travels to Paris with a bag full of hopes and dreams, which, however, are quickly shattered by … Continue reading Graphic Novel Review: Mozart in Paris

On Your Feet! | Theatre Review

By Charlie Sawyer and Natascha Ng Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Coming to Cardiff from Broadway, On Your Feet! brings the Latino passion and spirit of Gloria Estefan to the stage once again. This production follows the story of Estefan’s rise to fame. From her Cuban origins and the streets of Miami to finally capturing her world-wide success on the global stage.  The production centres in on … Continue reading On Your Feet! | Theatre Review

Grease | Theatre Review

by Andrea Drobna Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà First seen on stage in 1971, Grease the musical features a group of teenagers tackling their last year of high school, battling with issues surrounding bullying, adolescence, and sexuality. Set in 1959, the musical portrays the teen culture of the time where boys rocked greased back hair and leather jackets, and girls sported candy-floss hair and frilly dresses. The … Continue reading Grease | Theatre Review

Graphic Novel Review: Isadora

By Vittoria Zerbini Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Isadora, written by Julie Birmant and illustrated by Cl├®ment Oubrerie, is a graphic novel depicting the life and scandals of the ÔÇÿMother of Modern DanceÔÇÖ Isadora Duncan (published by SelfMadeHero, paperback, 144 pages). Isadora was born in America and by the age of 22 she became an acclaimed dancer throughout Europe. Her fame was due to the visceral, free-flowing … Continue reading Graphic Novel Review: Isadora

Rigoletto at the Millennium Centre: WNO embraces the #MeToo movement in iconic new setting of VerdiÔÇÖs masterpiece | Review

by Andrea Gaini Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Welsh National Opera is well-known for bold and often politically active productions, and this yearÔÇÖs Autumn Season is especially rich of sensational themes with both Carmen and Rigoletto carrying powerful messages. James MacDonaldÔÇÖs adaptation of Rigoletto to the KennedyÔÇÖs era embraces the core ideologies and beliefs shared by the #MeToo movement in retelling the story of the … Continue reading Rigoletto at the Millennium Centre: WNO embraces the #MeToo movement in iconic new setting of VerdiÔÇÖs masterpiece | Review

Review | The Cunning Little Vixen

By Neus Forner ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà The Cunning Little Vixen is a Czech opera by Leo┼í Jan├í─ìek that follows the story of Vixen Sharp-Ears as she figures out life in the forest. We see her being captured by the forester, learning about feminist independence, falling in love and having many little vixens, and dying in the hands of another forester. This three-act opera is extremely entertaining. From … Continue reading Review | The Cunning Little Vixen

The Story | Theatre Review

By Rhiannon Humphreys Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Story is a psychological thriller by young Welsh playwright Tess Berry-Head, inspired by her time doing humanitarian work with refugees from AssadÔÇÖs jails and Libyan prisons. It has a two-person live cast ÔÇô X (played by Siwan Morris, known for her role as Angie in Skins) and V (played by Hannah McPake) ÔÇô but also uses four screens … Continue reading The Story | Theatre Review

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra (International Concert Series 2019/20) | Review

By Sofia Brizio Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The International Concert Series opened last night at St DavidÔÇÖs Hall with an unforgettable performance by the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Expectations were high as the program featured great names (such as Peter Donhoe on the piano) and a vast repertoire, from Tchaikovsky to Rachmaninov and Kachaturian. Not only were these expectations met, but conductor Yuri Simonov went above … Continue reading Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra (International Concert Series 2019/20) | Review

The Mousetrap | Theatre Review

By Katie May Huxtable Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà ┬áNO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW. For me to reveal the ins and outs of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is classed as the equivalent of treachery in the performing arts industry and, from my knowledge, slip-ups have somehow been avoided. After running for over 60 years ÔÇô and earning the title of the continuous longest-running … Continue reading The Mousetrap | Theatre Review

It Will Come Later | Review

By Luisa De la Concha Montes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The collective behind this performance, the International Contemporary Dance Collective (iCoDaCo) was founded in Sweden in 2012. The concept behind it is quite innovative; through the medium of contemporary dance, international artists come together each year to create a new narrative that serves as a symbolic representation of cultural exchange in our globalized world. Quench … Continue reading It Will Come Later | Review

The Iris Prize Film Festival Returns to Cardiff for Another Year of LGBTQ+ Films

By Tabitha Jukes The wonderful world of the Iris Prize six-day film Festival returns to Cardiff on the 8th-13th October 2019. Celebrating her 13th birthday, Iris, like the great cinematic genre, is truly coming of age, bigger, brighter and badder than ever before. This year has seen the Iris Prize, which was founded in the Capitol in 2007, grow in both size and excellence. With … Continue reading The Iris Prize Film Festival Returns to Cardiff for Another Year of LGBTQ+ Films