By Dolunay Dogahan A rather intriguing mix of a band consisting of guitar, percussion and the saxophone sets the mood for this intimate act of BizetÔÇÖs Carmen in the YMCA. Orchestrated by Stephen McNeff and played by the Cardiff University Operatic Society, the play rises above the expectations from an all student cast. If it wasnÔÇÖt for the unfortunate venue with the restrictively small stage … Continue reading Carmen | Review
Words by Ashley Boyle ÔÇ£An energetic and fun performance which traces the milestone moments of MotownÔÇØ Having already watched this stage production in London 2 years ago, I was beyond thrilled to be given the chance to review Motown the Musical here in Cardiff. Growing up, I was exposed to all of the great sounds of Motown at my grandmaÔÇÖs, making the genre among my … Continue reading Motown the Musical | Theatre Review
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Andrea Drobna First performed almost 20 years ago, Kaite OÔÇÖReillyÔÇÖs award-winning play Peeling is a revolutionary performance focused on womenÔÇÖs and disability rights. Through incorporating audio/visual cues as well as sign language throughout the production, the show had been made accessible to all audiences, outshining the production of many mainstream theatre performances. Recently, the play has been reworked by Taking Flight Theatre … Continue reading Peeling | Theatre Review
Words by Natalya Sareen-Kadach Contemporary, urban energy meets the melancholic tragedy that is Shakespeare’s ÔÇÿRomeo and JulietÔÇÖ in the RSCÔÇÖs latest interpretation at CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre. With a purposeful lack of preliminary research I took my seat with a completely open mind, a total tabula rasa. In honesty, my subconscious had expected a lavish set and extravagant scene changes, appropriately garish Edwardian costume and an … Continue reading Romeo and Juliet | Theatre Reivew
Words By Allison Renker Vasily Petrenko moves with an awkwardness that conceals genius. The Russian-born conductor, soon to take the helm as Musical Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, has dazzled audiences round the world and can now add the Welsh public to this group. This Wednesday, with his unique, unassuming conducting style Petrenko steered the Oslo Philharmonic through the streets of ShakespeareÔÇÖs … Continue reading Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra | Reivew
The silly-sensation also known as Billionaire boy is the hot new musical adapted from David WalliamsÔÇÖ smash hit book, and is gracing CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre from 26 February ÔÇô 2nd March. A global phenomenon in the childrenÔÇÖs literature universe, David Walliams boasts worldwide sales of over 19.5 million books in more than 53 languages. Even more impressively three of WalliamsÔÇÖ books have been awarded ChildrenÔÇÖs … Continue reading Billionaire Boy | Review
Katherine Waldock At the end of 2018, Instagram influencers across the world were accused of ÔÇÿblackfishingÔÇÖ, a term coined to describe white people who dress up and alter the way they look in order to┬á┬á┬áappear black. This includes wearing make-up, tanning, and even having surgery, such as lip fillers or bum implants. The conversation first started when a freelance writer, Wanna Thompson, tweeted about … Continue reading Blackfish. Blackface. What next?
Words by Abby Wilson This week weÔÇÖre off to sunny Spain ÔÇô for the production of Benidorm Live at CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre! Calling all Benidorm fans! ITVÔÇÖs award-winning comedy sitcom is celebrating over a decade of hilarity, bringing sunshine and smiles to Cardiff New TheatreÔÇÖs Stage. For a week only, Monday 18th ÔÇô Saturday 23rd February, you wonÔÇÖt want to miss your favourite staff and … Continue reading Benidorm Live | Theatre Review
Words by Mel Lynch Winner of 57 major awards, over the years Jersey Boys has gained an enviable reputation which has no qualms in selling out seats worldwide. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons infamous songs defy generational differences to be beloved by all the family, and Jersey Boys portrays this admirably. Historically musicals are often adapted from books or films, yet Jersey Boys is … Continue reading Jersey Boys | Theatre Review
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿåÔÿå Words by Andrea Gaini Every year, Christmas only starts to feel real after the usual Act One Panto in Pulse has taken place. So, here I am now, realising that itÔÇÖs finally this time of the year again. Pantos are never really about Christmas, but more of a nice salty piece of banter to escape the sickly sweetness of mulled wine and candy canes. … Continue reading Wonderland: the new Act One Panto takes Pulse | Theatre Review
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Abbie Rands John Badham, director of the Saturday Night Fever film, once said he never would have believed that people would still be talking about it years later. Honestly, I canÔÇÖt quite believe it either, but I sure am glad we are. As something so obviously a product of its time, complete with casual sexism and American idealism centred on money, women and … Continue reading Review | Saturday Night Fever
Internationally focused arts organisation Artes Mundi has arrived at National Museum Cardiff once again, opening it’s doors to the public from 26.10.18 – 24.02.19 for its 8th edition. The biennial exhibition showcases contemporary visual artists, whose work is centred around what it truly means to exist today from an economic, social and political view point. This year features a diverse cohort of artists, displaying a … Continue reading Artes Mundi | Exhibition Review
By Abi Dudbridge WEIRD AND WONDERFUL EVENTS IN OCTOBER Summer is officially over, which means the season of hot chocolates, falling leaves and Halloween is upon us. The start of the Autumn semester is the perfect time to immerse yourself in Cardiff culture, as deadline season has yet to engulf our lives. With shorter days and dropping temperatures, thankfully, these unmissable events are here to … Continue reading Weird and Wonderful Events this Autumn
By Georgia Evans The sense of pride, accomplishment and patriotism amongst the audience was overpowering as the auditorium at St DavidÔÇÖs hall began to fill to the sound of Tenovus Cancer Care ChoirÔÇÖs rendition of Mr Blue Skies. Over the past seventeen years, the ItÔÇÖs My Shout training scheme has brought out the best talent South Wales has to offer in the television and film … Continue reading It’s My Shout | Review
By Angharad May As human beings, we seem to be intrinsically drawn to structure and routine; this is no different when it comes to food and drink rituals which vary remarkably around the globe. Under the umbrella of seven continents, 195 countries, a plethora of cuisines and countless cultures, family meals look worlds apart from place to place. Are you ready for a whistle-stop-tour of … Continue reading From Slurping to Burping: Family Meals Around the World
By Rachel Nurse ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà You Win Again: Celebrating the Music of the Bee Gees is a must-see for hardcore Bee Gees fans and for those who enjoy a good old boogie. No matter how deep your love is for the Bee Gees, if you love a good sing-along, dance and impersonation you will love this concert. In this stress-free and casual show, we were told … Continue reading Review: You Win Again
By Abbie Rands ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Arriving at the Millenium Centre, there could be no doubt of the buzz surrounding this play. The excitement was tangible and the moment the first note sounded, I was swept away. The use of song to open the show was genius, as was the use of music and sound throughout. Far from an all-singing, all-dancing Broadway-esque performance, the music was subtle, … Continue reading Review: War Horse, Millennium Centre
by Maxwell Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Novo Amor The night opened with Welsh singer-songwriter Novo Amor (ails of Ali Lacey), who skilfully provided a beautiful performance built on the foundation of vocal harmony and gorgeous, airy, guitar tones. His quietly emotional delivery added weight to the atmospheric music to create a mesmerising sonic experience. Ali Lacey himself was self admittedly nervous being a Cardiff based musician who … Continue reading Susanne Sundf├©r + Novo Amor review at the Festival of Voice
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà by Molly Wyatt Act One have pulled it out the bag yet again with their incredibly produced show of Little Voice. Written in the 1990ÔÇÖs, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright was a huge success with a film that followed to be just as popular, so it goes without saying that the amateur production, directed by Emma Lewis had a … Continue reading REVIEW: Little Voice; Big Success
Here is the first participant in Quench’s Short Story Contest; a story presenting colourful and imaginative details. Enjoy! Birds of a Feather┬áby Megan Carro-Le May Birds chant their morning song as a warm honey-coloured ray of sunlight warms the room. Slowly, Melody opens her eyes, peeking up from under the duvet. She stretches, yawns and smiles. Today is her birthday. She hops out of bed … Continue reading CREATIVE CONTEST: “Birds of a feather” by Megan Carro-Le May
