ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Mel Lynch Based on the book by the infamous Roald Dahl, Matilda the Musical has arrived at the Millennium centre with an explosive bang of magical mischief. The transition from book to stage wasnÔÇÖt as smooth as many may think, where it took seven years to be completed ÔÇô significantly longer than it took to write the book. Over the years the … Continue reading Matilda | 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
By Gwenddolen Woebking Halloween originated from Celtic harvest festivals such as Samhain, which celebrating the end of the summer cycle at the end of October. Evil spirits were said to be scared away by people dressing up as scary entities and the gods were simultaneously honoured by the lighting of bonfires. Around 732 A.D Pope Gregory iii extended the previously by Pope Boniface IV in … Continue reading The Origins of Halloween!
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Manjeevan Kaur Athol FugardÔÇÖs The Island captures a bold image of apartheid in South Africa. The intricate relationship between John (Joe Shire) and Winston (Wela Mbusi) reinforces the perseverance of the human spirit in an impossible situation. Two political prisoners and vocal citizens for change find their personal freedom taken away. The result is profound strength and unity in the face of … Continue reading The Island | Review
By Emily Stanton ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà The clue is in the title when it comes to this murder mystery comedy musical. Two actors smartly play all 14 characters in the two hours of Joe Kinosian and Kellen BlairÔÇÖs Murder for Two. The story is a classic whodunnit about a famous author, Arthur Witney, whoÔÇÖs murdered at his surprise birthday party. Although set in a small American town, … Continue reading Murder for Two | Review
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Doing a degree that requires weekly reams of readings, IÔÇÖm ashamed to say has resulted in the recent realisation that itÔÇÖs been months, if not years, since IÔÇÖve read a book simply for pleasure. In order to remedy this, I decided to pick up Hackney Child, a true story depicting the harrowing life of nine-year-old Hope Daniels. The central themes of … Continue reading Review: Hackney Child
By Kathleen Walker ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Eighteen years ago, a choir was by formed by a group of friends joining together to sing for after-dinner entertainment. ItÔÇÖs a story which could be repeated around campuses and local communities across the country. Just take a look at our Student UnionÔÇÖs current list of societies bursting with energy and talent. But ten years ago, Tim Rhys-Evans (MBE) helped his … Continue reading Review | Only Men Aloud Decade Gala Concert
By Abbie Rands ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà From the moment we enter the auditorium to a stage illuminated by soft blue lighting and filled with chairs from edge to edge, I can tell this is going to be something special. There is a sense of both excitement and reverence which marks this out as being a one-of-a-kind performance. There was a wonderful sense of respect and community as … Continue reading RAF Centenary Concert | Review
By Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Pack up your troubles and step into a vibrant and emotive centenary celebration of the First World War.┬á At the St DavidÔÇÖs Hall, the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra met once again to perform the suites and music of some of the most influential Composers of the First World War. Conducted by Michael Bell (MBE), this dramatic production took the audience on a … Continue reading Composers of the First World War: A Commemoration | Review
Featured Image Credit:┬áSam Taylor ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Lottie Ennis Lord of the Flies is a classic story depicting the brutal savagery committed by some castaway children and I was incredibly excited to see this daring production of Lord of the Flies, as the book by William Golding is one of my favourites. Directed by Emma Jordan, this is a female adaptation of a traditionally all male … Continue reading Lord of the Flies | Review
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà As a first time visitor to Chapter Arts I arrived optimistic about the quality of production I was set to view. For nearly half a decade Chapter has had the reputation as CardiffÔÇÖs cultural hub, facilitating new talent and showcasing the best of both Welsh and international creativity in their multi-artform space. Apart from knowing it would be a small cast … Continue reading 2023 | Theatre Review
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Sofia Brizio La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini is one of the most famous and arguably most enjoyable pieces of Italian opera. This ÔÇÿdrama giocosoÔÇÖ in two acts presents an unconventional version of the classic Cinderella story: a tale where the glass slipper is replaced by a bracelet; the Fairy Godmother is a philosopher; and an evil stepfather substitutes the traditional stepmother. Extremely unusual … Continue reading Review | RossiniÔÇÖs Cinderella
By Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Touring over 35 locations across the UK and Ireland in September and October, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour has splashed back onto the shores of Cardiff! Showcasing some of the worldÔÇÖs best Ocean Films, ÔÇ£from above and below the surfaceÔÇØ the audience at the St DavidÔÇÖs Hall were treated to an evening filled with seven stunning and emotional ocean themed … Continue reading Ocean Film Festival 2018 | Review
By Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà This Autumn, the Welsh National Opera has a taken over our beloved Millennium centre, so naturally it would be rude not to check out their latest offerings. Last weekend I was lucky enough to do just that and by the final curtain I was left surprised, captivated and honestly a bit knackered. Among audiences, La Traviata is one of the most … Continue reading La Traviata | Opera Review
By Mel Lynch Title: The Little Book of Adulting Author: Quentin Parker Price: ┬ú6.99 Upon initially inspecting the title, IÔÇÖll be honest in admitting I audibly scoffed. Despite best intentions often mini self help books of this variety can come across as a tad patronising, serving ÔÇÿtop tipsÔÇÖ with a side of condescension. However, to my delight, The Little book of Adulting proved to provide … Continue reading Review: The Little Book of Adulting / The Little Book of Politics
By Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿà David PountneyÔÇÖs new production of Mendelson and Prokofievs Operatic version of War and Peace is certainly interesting. Honestly, even in reflection I simply cannot decide which genre it appeared most like: an opera, a farce or a pantomime. Certainly, the attempt to condense this tombe into a successful three-hour opera was a truly admirable challenge. A challenge that, I feel, the … Continue reading War and Peace | Review
By Isobel Cosford As summer falls to an abrupt end with the sun becoming lower it can be difficult to carry on with reading season, however Kathryn StockettÔÇÖs best-selling fictional novel ÔÇÿThe HelpÔÇÖ is a perfect place to start as the nights begin to last longer, with a long read of 524 pages of truly enlightening historical fiction. The Help focuses on a group of … Continue reading Review: The Help
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 Mel Lynch ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Bringing the highest grossing film of 1988 to the stage is no easy job, but with the direction of Jonathon O’Boyle it was managed pretty fantastically. In 1988, Hoffman and CruiseÔÇÖs iconic portrayal of the Babbitt brothers, earned the film four Oscars, including the esteemed honour of best actor in a leading role. Therefore, going into the theatre I was intrigued … Continue reading Rain Man | Review
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
