When I was told that I was going to see a musical about depression, self harm, anorexia and a girl whoÔÇÖd been sectioned, honestly I feared the worst. Musicals are usually so fun and whimsical that I thought it would be impossible to display the emotional depth required for such a topic. Boy was I wrong. Battle Scars: A New Musical, written and directed by … Continue reading Review: Battle Scars: A New Musical, YMCA Theatre
BizetÔÇÖs gracefully hypnotic, four act opera, Carmen, hit the stage of St DavidÔÇÖs Hall this week and its success was evidently exemplified by the roaring applause upon the final curtain of the performance. The opera revealed a spectacular degree of d├®cor with an all- inclusive account of highly qualified opera stars, multitudes of colorful clothing and just to top it off, a real donkey walking … Continue reading Review: Bizet Carmen, St David’s Hall.
The proof of a good story, whether in film, television or theatre is always the way you feel about the characters come the finale. There have been endless occasions in which protagonists have met their fatal and dramatic deaths, with directors hoping for a weeping audience to mourn the tragedy, only to be met by the realization that no one in the audience really cares. … Continue reading Review: The Glenn Miller Story, New Theatre
After all these years, judging from the buzzing, dancing-in-your-seat atmosphere of the auditorium, Grease certainly is still the one that we want. The nationÔÇÖs favourite musical has hit the stage of The New Theatre, with Orbit Theatre Company bringing us all the classic hits itÔÇÖs famous for- the ones that we all undeniably know the lyrics and all the moves to. Opening the show, the … Continue reading Review: Grease, New Theatre.
Here at Quench Culture we love a good offering of home-grown talent, and perhaps thereÔÇÖs no better than┬á’Parallel Lines’. Cardiff-based playwright Katherine Chandler created ‘Parallel Lines’ in 2012, and the following year it ran for fourteen nights at Chapter (arguably our cityÔÇÖs best venue for independent art and drama). Since then, popular demand has meant itÔÇÖs been re-adapted by Dirty Protest, an award-winning Welsh theatre … Continue reading Review: Parallel Lines, Chapter Arts
As Winter draws to a close, we look back over the past year which saw some wonderful commemorative events to mark the centenary of WWI. December 2014 bore witness to artistic and cultural events in West Flanders which commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the Christmas Truce during the First World War and Quench Culture attended┬áto see the events in all their glory. In December … Continue reading Centenary Of The Christmas Truce
The first issue of BUTT was published in 2001, but it wasnÔÇÖt until 2006 when the BUTT BOOK was published and became a bestseller that the magazine solidified it place in public psyche. Now, they have returned with a new hardback instalment to the series, FOREVER BUTT. This bold book, not out of place on the shelves of an urban independent bookshop or urban outfitters … Continue reading Book Review: FOREVER BUTT
The great British public love a good curry, so much so that chicken tikka masala was BritainÔÇÖs favourite dish in 2011. But, in reality, how authentic is our much loved adoptive cuisine? Amandeep Turna unveils the curry culture clash sheÔÇÖs experienced since moving to Cardiff. Before coming to University I never would have thought that curry could be a subjective topicÔǪ Oh how wrong I … Continue reading Curry Culture Clash
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
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
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
