Review: Windband & Chamber Orchestra Concert, St TeiloÔÇÖs Church

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

CharlieApril 10, 2014April 10, 20141 Comment

Review: Major Tom, WMC

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

CharlieMarch 24, 2014March 24, 20142 Comments

Review: Wicked, Wales Millenium Centre

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

CharlieMarch 17, 2014March 19, 201422 Comments

Review: Russell Howard, Motorpoint Arena

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

CharlieMarch 17, 2014March 17, 20143 Comments

Drawn in Cardiff

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

CharlieMarch 12, 2014March 19, 20144 Comments

Morgan Arcade Studios

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

CharlieMarch 2, 201439 Comments

Into the Stream

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

CharlieFebruary 28, 2014February 28, 2014Leave a comment

Fallen Women, Falling Myths

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

CharlieFebruary 28, 2014146 Comments

Review: Buffalo Comedy, Buffalo Bar

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

CharlieFebruary 23, 2014Leave a comment

Book Review: ‘Why WasnÔÇÖt I Taught This At School?’ by Dave Reynolds

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

CharlieFebruary 20, 2014311 Comments

Review: La traviata, WMC

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

CharlieFebruary 18, 2014February 20, 20141,599 Comments

Review: Fiddler on the Roof – The New Theatre

Paul Michael Glaser, star of ÔÇÿ70s cop thriller ÔÇÿStarsky and HutchÔÇÖ, leads the talented cast of Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye which is on at the New Theatre until Saturday 8th February. Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, Fiddler tells the story of Tevye, the father of five daughters who attempts to preserve his family and Jewish traditions in the face of the Tsar … Continue reading Review: Fiddler on the Roof – The New Theatre

charliemockFebruary 17, 2014February 23, 20147 Comments

Festival of Diversity: How Culture Leads to Art

Every year, CardiffÔÇÖs Malaysian Students Society puts on an extravaganza of a show, called Festival of Diversity. MalaysocÔÇÖs FOD director Xue Ying Tan tells us how this meaningful occasion comes to be. Cr: Shermin.T Photography Malaysia, Truly Asia – thatÔÇÖs what they said about this kaleidoscopic country. This is the land of paradise ÔÇô a heartwarming country with the perfect tropical climate and abundance of … Continue reading Festival of Diversity: How Culture Leads to Art

CharlieFebruary 2, 20142 Comments

Review: Blue/Orange, Sherman Cymru

For such a colourfully titled show, Canoe TheatreÔÇÖs Blue/Orange is set in a blandly sterile consultation room, illuminated by fluorescent lights. The audience is placed in the round ÔÇô except itÔÇÖs not round, but quadrilateral, perhaps reflecting the rigidly technocratic themes of the story. The technocracy in this case is the British healthcare system, and its inherent problems in trying to cater for a large … Continue reading Review: Blue/Orange, Sherman Cymru

CharlieJanuary 25, 20142 Comments

Review: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Wales Millennium Centre

After a successful three year stint on the LondonÔÇÖs West End and a transfer to Broadway, Priscilla Queen of the DesertÔÇÖs next stop on its UK tour began in Cardiff on Tuesday. Jordan Nicholls goes to see what the glittery hubbub is all about. Based on the 1994 Australian film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, starring Terrence Stamp and Hugo Weaving, the … Continue reading Review: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Wales Millennium Centre

CharlieJanuary 14, 2014January 14, 20147 Comments

Review: Swan Lake, St DavidÔÇÖs Hall

The Russian National Ballet and Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns to Cardiff for another spectacular repertoire of classics ÔÇô The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and not to mention, the epitome of Romantic ballet with a longstanding history of some 135 years, Swan Lake. Performed to the fascinatingly engaging melodies of TchaikovskyÔÇÖs first ever ballet score, the melancholic adaptation of Swan Lake tells the tale of … Continue reading Review: Swan Lake, St DavidÔÇÖs Hall

CharlieJanuary 7, 2014January 7, 201410 Comments

Battle Time Breakdancing

A jam is a highlight in any b-boy or b-girlÔÇÖs diary. ItÔÇÖs an event for breakdancers to showcase their skills often with a live DJ and a big audience. Sophie Lodge tells us about Battle Time 3, a jam that recently took place in Newport. My expectations of a jam were what I had seen on terrible street dance films from the 2000s; bad 90s … Continue reading Battle Time Breakdancing

CharlieDecember 22, 20131 Comment

Review: Singin’ In The Rain, WMC

Reviewed by Matthew Lee Schneider Splashing legs sweep with forceful grace, weaving droplets of rain into curtains which drape across the audience. ┬áA relentlessly rotating rainbow of umbrella navels frolic up and down, left to right, round and round. ┬áTwirling, swirling, tapping, clapping, falling (in love), dancing, jumping, singing, yelling; this is SinginÔÇÖ in the Rain. ┬áArriving at the Millennium Centre by way of the … Continue reading Review: Singin’ In The Rain, WMC

CharlieDecember 11, 2013December 11, 2013Leave a comment

Review: Operatic Society Gala Concert

On the 30th November, Cardiff University Operatic Society performed their ÔÇÿOpera Through The AgesÔÇÖ Gala Concert, which took the audience through the entire history of opera in solos, ensembles and choruses. The diverse programme showed what an exciting line-up was laid out ahead. The evening began with a very confident start, with the blend of Lucy Hannam, Katharine Blackwell, Donald Montgomery, Conall Keaveney and Benjamin … Continue reading Review: Operatic Society Gala Concert

CharlieDecember 9, 2013December 9, 20133 Comments

Clod Ensemble: An Anatomie in Four Quarters

Making a piece of physical theatre is a complicated, lengthy process; Culture editors Amy Pay and Sum Sze Tam spoke to Tracy Gentles, the producer of upcoming physical theatre production An Anatomie in Four Quarters, to find out how such a complex work of art comes into being An Anatomie in Four Quarters is showing soon in the WMC. Can you tell us a little … Continue reading Clod Ensemble: An Anatomie in Four Quarters

CharlieDecember 2, 2013December 2, 2013Leave a comment