Tag: theatre

Culture

Review | Mark Thomas ÔÇô Check Up: Our NHS at 70 review

By Maisie Marston ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Setting the scene, a projection of the view from Mark ThomasÔÇÖ rehearsal room rolls, showing Lisson Grove Health Centre in its seemingly slow operation. When Thomas takes the stage, youÔÇÖre shocked into consciousness. He paints a picture of pre-1948 Britain where his grandmother would put aside money for healthcare, having to choose which family memberÔÇÖs illness warranted emptying the pot. As … Continue reading Review | Mark Thomas ÔÇô Check Up: Our NHS at 70 review

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Culture

Billionaire Boy | Review

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

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Culture

Benidorm Live | Theatre Review

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

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Culture

Review | A Bedside Story

By┬áBeatrice Leuschner The Healthcare Drama Society did not disappoint with their new production ÔÇ£A Bedside StoryÔÇØ ÔÇô a parody adaption of the musical ÔÇ£West Side StoryÔÇØ. It is the societyÔÇÖs first musical and second production, following up last yearÔÇÖs ÔÇ£And Then There Were NoneÔÇØ. The new show was performed three nights (14th-16th of February) at the YMCA Theatre in Cardiff, all of which were sold … Continue reading Review | A Bedside Story

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Culture

Jersey Boys | 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

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Culture

Beauty and the Beast | Theatre Review

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà By Abby Wilson Beauty and the Beast Hits New Theatre, Cardiff with a Bang! Are you ready for this yearÔÇÖs panto? Oh no youÔÇÖre not? Oh yes you are! An all-time favourite Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, featuring some of our most-loved famous faces comes to the New Theatre, Cardiff, for the holiday season. Packed full of laughter and music, with happiness and … Continue reading Beauty and the Beast | Theatre Review

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Culture

Matilda | Theatre Review

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

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Culture

Wonderland: the new Act One Panto takes Pulse | 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

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Culture

Frankenstein | Review / Director Interview

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Molly Govus Sitting in the Chapter Arts Theatre, I was immediately taken back to my GCSE drama days. The black wooden set blocks, the itchy fabric chairs and the smell of what I can only describe as an old school room. It was nostalgic to say the least, but there was something different about this set up to what I have previously … Continue reading Frankenstein | Review / Director Interview

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Culture

The Nightingales | Theatre Review

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Words by Phoebe Blandford The Nightingales sees the return of Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, who brilliantly depicts a bubbly yet complex protagonist, Maggie. Sadly though beyond this, there is not much else to praise in the production; it all seems too familiar, which although comforting, it feels too recycled. It is centred around an A cappella choir group who practise weekly in … Continue reading The Nightingales | Theatre Review

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Culture

Review | Bullish

By Manavi Mehrotra ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà The Performances for the Curious, now in second season, celebrates contemporary theatre and fascinating music, comedy, and cabaret performances. This is the second production by Milk Presents, after their debut at the London ÔÇÿcome as you areÔÇÖ festival with Joan, a critically acclaimed smashing hit. The play: Bullish is currently on tour and in Cardiff till the 24th of November. Bullish … Continue reading Review | Bullish

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Culture

The Island | Review

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

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Culture

Murder for Two | 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

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Culture

RAF Centenary Concert | Review

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

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Culture

Lord of the Flies | 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

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Culture

2023 | Theatre 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

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Culture

War and Peace | Review

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

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Culture

Rain Man | Review

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

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Culture

Summer Holiday | Review

Rachel Nurse ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Summer Holiday is Ray-Quinn in ticket sales Based on the 1963 hit film, Summer Holiday is a heart-warming and quintessential musical, boosted by the talent of Ray Quinn. Swinging London was known the world over, with vogue, music and sex at the foreground of a cultural revolution. Don, played by X Factor and Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn, who is a … Continue reading Summer Holiday | Review

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