Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival opened in style with Sondheim’s classic Into the Woods last night. It is a visually spectacular production which makes brilliant use of the fittingly wood-filled backdrop. And the large and impressive cast taking on one of musical theatre’s most challenging scores. Into the Woods is Sondheim’s twist on fairy tales. FromContinueContinue reading “Into the Woods- Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival”

Continuing the outdoor theatre theme from the last post, it’s time for Taking Flight theatre’s annual outdoor Shakespeare production. Starting in the lovely Thompson’s Park in Cardiff and going on to some of Wales’ most beautiful parks and castle grounds (oh and even one in Bristol this year!) the annual Taking Flight Shakespeare tour wouldContinueContinue reading “Romeo and Juliet-Taking Flight Theatre”

Let’s get one thing out of the way: the play is aptly named. Coming in at around 3 hours 25 minutes it’s a classic marathon of a play. And actually I loved it for that.I’m all for a short play. The phrase ’90 minutes straight through’ often fills me with delight. Years as an usherContinueContinue reading “Long Day’s Journey Into Night- Bristol Old Vic”

Let\’s get one thing out of the way: the play is aptly named. Coming in at around 3 hours 25 minutes it\’s a classic marathon of a play. And actually I loved it for that.I\’m all for a short play. The phrase \’90 minutes straight through\’ often fills me with delight. Years as an usherContinueContinue reading “Long Day\'s Journey Into Night- Bristol Old Vic”

Note: I saw this performance on the first preview, so there may be changes before the opening night, and this review keeps in mind that the first preview is not always the ‘finished product’. Only the Brave is a landmark production for Wales Millennium Centre. For the past 10 years it has been a leading touringContinueContinue reading “Only the Brave- Wales Millennium Centre”

I may be a disgrace to my people, I know nothing about Tom Jones. Despite having worked in Pontypridd for a year and living two doors down from a Tom Jones impersonator, what I know about Tom Jones is well, limited. In that sense it was great to hear some of the ‘real’ story behindContinueContinue reading “Tom the Tom Jones Musical”

There is something to be said for some good old fashioned storytelling in theatre. The kind that sits an audience and does simply that; tells a story. While I love theatre that plays with form, stylistic theatre and sometimes even big flashy theatre, I think we sometimes forget that what we’re after is a story.ContinueContinue reading “Review: St Nicholas (The Other Room, Cardiff)”

Footloose is the best 80s dance film. Better than Dirty Dancing. There. I’ve said it. I stand by it. I love an 80s dance film in general (except Dirty Dancing, I really hate that film) but Footloose is unashamedly my favourite. Added to that an early 00’s pop favourite in Gareth Gates and Footloose isContinueContinue reading “Footloose (Tour)”

It was time to Meet Fred last night. The latest offering from Hijinx Theatre, Fred is a puppet, except he doesn’t know that at first. He soon does though, much to his shock. What follows is a clever, touching and at times hilarious look at life and the obstacles it throws at us (literally atContinueContinue reading “Meet Fred: Review”

I spent my Monday afternoon interviewing a small puppet with a lot of personality. Everyone, meet Fred:Fred’s new show, apty called Meet Fred, is touring with Hijinx theatre company (scroll down for more information)Fred. (Photograph Johnathan Dunn)Fred is a unique character, but with a story which is universal. As director Ben Pettit-Wade says during myContinueContinue reading “Meet Fred-Hijnx Theatre”