Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s The Addams Family at The Gate

The Addams Family have been having a bit of a moment recently, with the release of NetflixÔÇÖs Wednesday placing the iconically sardonic family front and centre onto the cultural stage once again. ThatÔÇÖs why I was particularly excited to hear it when CardiffÔÇÖs very own Healthcare Drama Society announced The Addams Family as their Spring musical.  Still a relatively new society, itÔÇÖs becoming increasingly apparent … Continue reading Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s The Addams Family at The Gate

Review: Act One Variety Night: A Night of Nostalgia

words by Eve Davies In aid of Ty HafanÔÇÖs ChildrenÔÇÖs Hospice, on Sunday 19 February, Act One held its annual Variety Night. Having attended a couple of Act One shows previously, I was delighted to be invited along to review their matinee performance of Variety Night ÔÇô and it certainly didnÔÇÖt disappoint.  Act One presented ÔÇÿA Night of NostalgiaÔÇÖ to match their chosen charity this … Continue reading Review: Act One Variety Night: A Night of Nostalgia

ÔÇ¿A Case for In The Heights (2021)

2021 was a mixed bag for movie musicals, from the critically acclaimed and award-winning West Side Story, to the pilloried disappointment that was Dear Evan Hansen. However, agonizingly, Jon M. ChuÔÇÖs cinematic adaptation of In The Heights, the stage version by Lin-Manuel Miranda, flew pretty under the radar, despite seemingly being appreciatedon the whole ÔÇô garnering an even 94% on Rotten Tomatoes for both the … Continue reading ÔÇ¿A Case for In The Heights (2021)

Review: West Side Story (2021)

By Zainab Javed Issues of gentrification, class, race, love, family, and violence interwoven with glorious dance and song routines ÔÇô it might seem a lot for one film to accommodate, yet Steven Spielberg, alongside screenwriter Tony Kushner and cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, in his revision of West Side Story, manages to pull this incredible feat. The 74-year-old director masterfully weaves the myriad of threads together into … Continue reading Review: West Side Story (2021)

Review: Over The Moon (Netflix)

by Soyal Khedkar ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà + half  Over the Moon is a musical adventure film filled with fuzzy family moments and positive spirit. Based on the legend of Chang’e- the Chinese goddess of the Moon- a little girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) puts all her love and passion into building a rocket ship to meet Chang’e (Phillipa Soo).  The story starts out with a rather … Continue reading Review: Over The Moon (Netflix)

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

Jesus Christ Superstar | Theatre Review

By Gintare Safigulinaite Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The production of Jesus Christ Superstar by Everyman Theatre and The Musical Company that debuted last night at the Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival was a fantastic, ground-breaking show. The 2000-year-old moving story of the last days in the life of Jesus Christ was brought to life in a rock masterpiece without a single dialogue; just songs, one … Continue reading Jesus Christ Superstar | Theatre Review

A love letter to my favourite musical artist: Myles Kennedy

by Ashley Sterio Like many people in the early 2000ÔÇÖs, I was a huge fan of wrestling. Specifically, WWEÔÇÖs ruthless aggression era. IÔÇÖd tune in to every Smackdown and Raw showing I could, and if I was lucky IÔÇÖd watch the odd pay per view event. My favourite wrestler was Edge, his entrance theme ÔÇÿMetalingusÔÇÖ never failed to get me excited with its blistering drum … Continue reading A love letter to my favourite musical artist: Myles Kennedy

REVIEW: Fame, Millennium Centre

By Andrea Drobna ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Following the lives of students at a New York performing arts high school, the 1980s film Fame tackled heavy issues such as eating disorders, sexuality and the pressure of life in the spotlight. After initially receiving mixed reviews, the film was highly praised and quickly earnt two Academy Awards (Best Original Song and Best Original Score) as well as a Golden … Continue reading REVIEW: Fame, Millennium Centre

Sunset Boulevard review: soaring melodies and exquisite acting

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà by Esther Morris As an avid musical theatre fan, it is not an easy thing for me to admit that I was not all too familiar with Sunset Boulevard before seeing the touring production at the Wales Millennium Centre; however, I certainly left with the soaring melodies stuck in my head and the feeling that I could have happily watched it again the following … Continue reading Sunset Boulevard review: soaring melodies and exquisite acting

Flashdance review: living the 80’s at the New Theatre

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Hannah Marie Stait 06/02/2018, New Theatre If you have a love for 80ÔÇÖs pop and having a good time, you definitely donÔÇÖt want to miss the UK tour of Flashdance which is currently sending good feelings around the New Theatre this week! The 1983 movie was a huge hit in the 80ÔÇÖs and is considered a classic to the old-time movie lovers of … Continue reading Flashdance review: living the 80’s at the New Theatre

The Band review: An inequivocable success!

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Maxwell Modell Wales Millennium Centre, 9th January 2018 A Take That musical! Why has no one ever thought of that before? After all, jukebox musicals are all the rage at the moment, from Abba to Queen to Michael Jackson to The Beatles, everyoneÔÇÖs got one and Take That are practically a British institution, so it was only right they got their shot with … Continue reading The Band review: An inequivocable success!

REVIEW: “Legally Blonde – The Musical” at the New Theatre

by Andrea Gaini I must have seen Legally Blonde ÔÇô The Musical at least one hundred times now, but I can never get tired of it. The beautiful story of Elle Woods that moves all the way from California to Boston (and gets into Harvard Law!), to follow the man she loves, has conquered my heart when I saw the fabulous Laura Bell Bundy rocking … Continue reading REVIEW: “Legally Blonde – The Musical” at the New Theatre

REVIEW: “Blood Brothers” at the New Theatre

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå by Andrea Gaini Seeing a show for the first time is very difficult. Musicals, in particular, because sometimes it takes a little bit of time to familiarise yourself with the music and the constant change from acting to singing. Last night at the New Theatre in Cardiff was my first time ever seeing Blood Brothers, the tear-jerking story of two brothers separated at birth, … Continue reading REVIEW: “Blood Brothers” at the New Theatre

Review: Evita, New Theatre

Evita, Monday 20th March, New Theatre, Reviewer: Hannah Hopkins Evita has always, for me at least, been one of those musicals known for a few great songs whilst the rest of the plot has often faded into obscurity. Yet, this production completely changed my mind. The story is powerful and poignant, though the musical elements make it fun and all the more engaging. Following a … Continue reading Review: Evita, New Theatre

Review: The Rocky Horror Show, New Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show, Monday 21st November, The Other Room. Reviewer: Rachel Nurse The Rocky Horror Show is one of the most iconic musical theatre shows, performed each year around the globe and is seen by thousands, maybe even millions. Yet, it still never fails to amuse me and it was an outstanding show by all the cast members at the New Theatre on Monday. … Continue reading Review: The Rocky Horror Show, New Theatre