Tag: theatre

Culture

Broadway to West End: Are Classical Musicals Disappearing?

With the recent premiere of Wicked skyrocketing the West End world levels beyond London, the gravity defying movie isn’t the first to turn classical musicals into cinema. At the turn of the decade, Hamilton became an on-screen hit. Newer and undoubtedly granted a bigger budget, Matilda also became a movie masterpiece in 2022. This evolution of theatre is not only comparative to cinema. Broadway is being reinvented, and the stage is … Continue reading Broadway to West End: Are Classical Musicals Disappearing?

boburt
Literature, Live Reviews

Review: A Christmas Carol At The Sherman Theatre

Charles Dickens is renowned for shaping our Christmas experience, so when I went to watch A Christmas Carol, I had high expectations. The show appealing to everyone, brings the festive magic to life with it’s charming humour. Debuting back in 2021, it has now returned and become a performance worth watching repeatedly. Staged at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and adapted by Gary Owen, this … Continue reading Review: A Christmas Carol At The Sherman Theatre

Contributing Writer
Culture

That’ll Be The Day: So this is Christmas Review

I was incredibly fortunate to be invited to watch That’ll Be The Day: Christmas Special. The show itself has been running since 1986 and has only grown in popularity since. The performance takes you on a journey through the mid-20th century with famous Christmas songs from several iconic eras. Oddly enough I had no prior knowledge of the show before, and I decided that it would best to … Continue reading That’ll Be The Day: So this is Christmas Review

Contributing Writer
Culture

Behind the magic: an Interview with Oliver Tabor

Distinguished magician and producer, Oliver Tabor is celebrated for his captivating performances and innovative contributions to the world of magic. His flagship production, West End Magic, is London’s longest-running magic show. This theatrical spectacle combines mesmerising illusions, comedy and a diverse lineup of talented performers. From being president of the IBM British Ring or FISM Champion, in this interview, he shares insights into his journey … Continue reading Behind the magic: an Interview with Oliver Tabor

Charlotte Hardie-Watts
Features, Live Reviews

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

evedavies
Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s ‘Met By Moonlight’

Words by Francesca Ionescu Met By Moonlight is the Healthcare Drama SocietyÔÇÖs first production of the 2022/23 season. As I walk into The Gate theatre, the pamphlet sets out the story as a ÔÇÿQueer, musical retelling of ShakespeareÔÇÖs ÔÇÿA Midnight NightÔÇÖs DreamÔÇÖ. As the room starts to fill, I take in the set, the orchestra at the back setting up instruments, lights flickering on and … Continue reading Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s ‘Met By Moonlight’

Contributing Writer
Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Review: The Verdict at the New Theatre

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending Middle Ground Theatre CompanyÔÇÖs The Verdict at The New Theatre. For the opening night of its UK tour, the theatre filled the theatre to see how this interpretation of Barry ReedÔÇÖs courtroom drama would come to life. The audience was of an older demographic – nostalgic of the 1982 film adaptation starring Paul Newman, no doubt. The … Continue reading Review: The Verdict at the New Theatre

sophierevell
Features, Live Reviews, uncategorized

Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Sherman Theatre

18th October 2022 Joe Murphy puts a modern, relatable spin on a classic tale, and celebrates the magic of the Welsh Language in his adaptation of ShakespeareÔÇÖs A Midsummer NightÔÇÖs Dream. A story of mischief, trickery, and love triangles, ShakespeareÔÇÖs iconic play follows Hermia, Lysanna and Demetrius caught up in a love triangle, complicated further by the fairiesÔÇÖ playful love spellsÔǪ and a donkey!  A … Continue reading Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Sherman Theatre

sophierevell
Features, Live Reviews

Review: An Inspector Calls at The New Theatre

18th October 2022 Words by Omo Ifabua Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of seeing Stephen DaldryÔÇÖs An Inspector Calls at the New Theatre. Having studied JB PriestleyÔÇÖs original play at school 5 years ago and watching both film adaptations, I was definitely excited to see how this version would live up to my expectations. This was my first ever theatre trip in Cardiff and … Continue reading Review: An Inspector Calls at The New Theatre

Contributing Writer
Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Act One’s ‘Twisted’

By Sophie Revell Act One has spoiled us this year with a wide variety of performances, and this May they returned to Pulse Nightclub for their take on Twisted the Musical, produced by Euan Prout and directed by Sian Howells. Twisted was created by the ÔÇÿfunÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿfantasticalÔÇÖ StarKid Productions, an American theatre company and brainpower behind a variety of comedies and parody musicals including … Continue reading Act One’s ‘Twisted’

Contributing Writer
Culture

Saving The Arts of Germany

by Dill Tootill Covid-19 has seen the world hold its collective breath with the confusion of the present and concern for how the future will be shaped. Countries have taken vastly different measures in tackling the crisis: from the laissez faire features of BrazilÔÇÖs lack of intervention, to AmericaÔÇÖs anxiety ride of resistance towards offering any substantial help to workers. Yet, as Europe progresses in … Continue reading Saving The Arts of Germany

Contributing Writer
Culture

#SaveTheArts

By Caitlin Parr Though a ┬ú1.5 billion emergency support package has been made available to arts, culture and heritage venues following the #SaveTheArtsUK campaign, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has publicly stated that this sum will not be enough to protect all arts venues and creative spaces from closure or severe economic detriment.┬á With the grant aiming to support these venues that so many rely on … Continue reading #SaveTheArts

Contributing Writer
Culture

The Hothouse | Theatre review

By Saoirse O’Connor Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà There is a moment towards the end of The HothouseÔÇÖs first act where it feels like youÔÇÖve suddenly started watching a different play. Moments previously the audience were rolling in the aisles and with the flicker of a red light (and some well-placed electrodes) they sat transfixed as a man writhed in agony mere centimetres away. It is … Continue reading The Hothouse | Theatre review

Contributing Writer
Culture

An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

By Lewis Empson Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà J. B. PriestlyÔÇÖs staple of the whodunnit genre is as pertinent as ever within todayÔÇÖs society. Watching it unfurl on stage with social commentary still as relevant as its debut in 1945 is an engaging and thought-provoking experience. We are first introduced to a dirty, dimly lit street inhabited with impoverished children, contrasted with the decadent home of … Continue reading An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

Contributing Writer
Culture

Into the Woods | Theatre Review

By Rachel Nurse Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Brothers Grimm hit the YMCA stage with an epic fairy tale about wishes, a witch and the wicked choices we make brought to life by Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Act One society. Laura Martin directs the well-loved musical ÔÇÿInto the WoodsÔÇÖ where a witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales … Continue reading Into the Woods | Theatre Review

Contributing Writer
Culture

Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

By Tabitha Jukes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà As part of The OtherRoomÔÇÖs eight-week Spring Fringe programme, which champions native and non-native alternative theatre, and showcases innovative performance in Cardiff. I was able to enjoy CB4ÔÇÖs debut show Back to Berlin. The show does exactly what the grassroots and developing Cardiff- based theatre company intends: presenting theatrical storytelling, with a difference. It is informative, entertaining and … Continue reading Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

Contributing Writer
Culture

Ghost Stories | Theatre Review

By Molly Govus Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà NO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW Jeremy Dyson and Andy NymanÔÇÖs production of ÔÇÿGhost StoriesÔÇÖ has been touring around the globe since February 2010, but this in no way means the performance has lost its fear factor. With a running time of 80 minutes and no interval, before I even sat down in my seat I … Continue reading Ghost Stories | Theatre Review

mollygovus
Culture

The Book of Medicine | Theatre Review

By Maja Metera Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Book of Medicine is a musical written, directed and performed by Cardiff Healthcare Drama Society. It follows two medical students at Cardiff University ÔÇô Alexandra and Harrison ÔÇô through their academic and social journey. It is loosely based on The Book of Mormon, the Tony Award winner which is considered one of the funniest musicals of all times. … Continue reading The Book of Medicine | Theatre Review

Sofia Brizio
Culture

A Murder Is Announced | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Pathak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà NO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW There was a time when people would wait patiently, with unwavering curiosity, for the next murder mystery by Agatha Christie. Although that time has passed, the novels still generate similar interest, making them popular even today. As a result of this interest, even decades later, the novels are being adapted … Continue reading A Murder Is Announced | Theatre Review

Sofia Brizio