REVIEW: ‘The Last Laugh' at New Theatre, Cardiff Three of Britain's greatest comedians return to the stage in Cardiff this week in a play which manages to be nostalgic, moving, and hilariously funny. The Last Laugh imagines Tommy Cooper (Damian Williams), Eric Morecambe (Steve Royle), and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright), meeting backstage for one last performance. The three reflect on their careers, their personal lives, and the nature of comedy - exchanging quickfire gags a

In a special interview for Rhiwbina Info, award-winning local scriptwriter Carys Thomas tells us about her new TV sitcom pilot Misguided, based on her experiences growing up in Rhiwbina. As we reported in May, Misguided is available to stream on Channel4.com and YouTube. It follows former popular girl and full-time rebel Rhiannon, as she's forced to join a deeply uncool Guide group, with a cast including Lauren Morais, Nerys Amber Stocks, Meg Alexandra, Nia Gandhi, Sarah Hadl

Rhiwbina-based actor, writer, and comedian Steve Speirs will star in this year's pantomime at the New Theatre Cardiff, Beauty and the Beast, it was announced today (Tuesday 30 June). The Merthyr-born star, who lives in Rhiwbina village, will play Belle's father, Monsieur Marzipan. Perhaps best known for creating and starring in TV's The Tuckers, Steve is currently filming the BBC comedy Better Later, alongside Ruth Jones. He has also appeared in many hit series including Afte

REVIEW: ‘Thespians’ at New Theatre, Cardiff The talented team behind the multi award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong have produced their first musical, and it landed in Cardiff last night (Tuesday 23 June) to an enthusiastic reception at the New Theatre. Thespians, from Mischief, takes us to ancient Greece in 534BC, where a drought blights the land, and only a powerful new prayer can save the day. The evil tyrant (Rhys Taylor) commands a Eurovision-style prayer competition,

Greece is the word at the New Theatre next week. Ancient Greece to be specific. Mischief, the team behind the multi award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, rewrite ancient history with a new musical comedy, Thespians, which runs from Tuesday 23 June to Saturday 27. It's 534 BC - Thespis and his sister Poly live on the tiny island of Ikaria where nothing ever really happens, until the entire population (all five of them) are forced to go to Athens to compete in a deadly prayer

Two concerts are being held at Principality Stadium this month - Take That on 16 June and Metallica on 28 June. It means there will be a full road closure around the stadium from 3pm until midnight for each event. The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy for these concerts, so the advice is to plan ahead and avoid the likely congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride or public transport. For up-to-date traffic information on the motorway and trunk roads go to the Traff

Helen from Rhiwbina Events Team looks ahead to this summer's big weekend It’s nearly that time of year again. The Rhiwbina Summer Festival will be in Parc y Pentre, Rhiwbina. The dates to keep are 26 and 27 June 2026. Friday night is music night, and this year we have four artists for you to enjoy, The Rock Project, The Marc Davies Band, Ophelia’s Beard and I Love My Friends. It’s going to be a good one so bring your dancing shoes. Saturday is family fun day, and everyone is

REVIEW: ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at New Theatre, Cardiff The Rocky Horror Show is back in New Theatre for another bonkers week, and we were lucky enough to get tickets to opening night! I’m sure you’ve heard of The Rocky Horror Show, however before I saw the show, I wasn’t aware of the plot. So, to summarise, it follows Brad (played by James Bisp) and his fiancée Janet (Haley Flaherty ) out on a stormy night to visit an old college professor. The pair unfortunately get a flat

A locally made animated short film has released a new trailer this week. A Fish Out of Water, produced by our own Andy Weltch from a script he co-wrote with award-winning Rhiwbina-born and -raised Rob Lancey, is expected to hit the festival circuit this summer. The trailer is animated by the film's director, Matthew Creed, and features the voice talents of Robert Daws as the protagonist, Henry Godliman, hinting at the unforgettable experience which he encounters in a seemingl

REVIEW: ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ at New Theatre, Cardiff This week The New Theatre is hosting the amazing tour of The Boy at the Back of the Class until Saturday 16 May. The Boy at the Back of the Class, originally a book by Onjali Q. Raúf, winning both The Blue Peter and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2019, was adapted into a stage production by Nick Ahad and been directed by Monique Touko. They completed a successful two- week run at Theatre Rose and the

The pilot for a Rhiwbina writer's new TV sitcom is due to be launched this week. Misguided, scripted by Carys Thomas, will be available to stream on Channel4.com and YouTube on Thursday (14 May). Get your popcorn ready - a sitcom by Rhiwbina's Carys Thomas streams this week Carys, who grew up on Lon y Deri and went to Whitchurch High School, is a former winner of the BAFTA Rocliffe award for aspiring writers. The British Comedy Guide reports that Misguided is set around teena

REVIEW: 'Under Milk Wood' at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff To begin at the beginning... It is a spring full-moon night in the city of Cardiff as we visit a spring moonless night in the small town of Llareggub. It is the middle of the night and the residents of the town are sleeping. Not soundly though. Dylan Thomas opens the front door of their homes to us and straight into their dreams, disturbed and restless. The sky is dark on this moonless and starless night, and the buildings

REVIEW: 'Friends: The Musical Parody' at The New Theatre The highly acclaimed musical tribute to one of the most popular TV shows of all time ends its UK tour in Cardiff this week. We were at the New Theatre last night for the opening of its week-long run here. And what fun it was! Friends: The Musical Parody manages to shoehorn many of the most memorable moments from the show's 10 seasons into a two-hour production. So, expect to be reacquainted with Marcel the monkey, Joey'

A locally written screenplay has been named in the official selection at a film festival in the USA. The script for A Fish Out of Water by our Andy Weltch and award-winning Rhiwbina-born-and-raised Robert Lancey has made the cut at the Georgia Shorts Film Festival. It's now among those those to be considered for honours at the festival in Atlanta in June. The festival is a theatrical screening event for independent short films of all genres. It focuses on films from Georgia a

A musical comedy based on the much-loved TV series Friends arrives at the New Theatre later this month (27 April - 2 May). Friends! The Musical Parody is inspired by memorable moments from all ten seasons of the show, with an original musical score. So, expect to see Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe as they navigate life, love, and friendship in 1990s New York City. Also, 'Pivot!' More information and tickets here. 🎭 A stage version of one of the great crime

REVIEW: ' Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift' at The New Theatre There's a piece of theatrical history taking place at the New Theatre this week - the first stage production of the long-running and hugely popular TV crime favourite Midsomer Murders . The Killings at Badger's Drift was the very first episode of this ITV staple, based on Caroline Graham's 1987 novel and reaching the screen a decade or so later, it now finds its way to the stage in a very entertai

Local club profile Rhiwbina Camera Club (RCC) was established in the village in 1958, and is now in its 68th year. One member's research shows it is the second oldest club in Rhiwbina, after the Recreation Club and, it is believed, it is one of the oldest photography clubs in Wales. All photographers are welcomed, regardless of experience or equipment used - just a shared interest in photography is needed. Some members are complete beginners, while others are highly exper

REVIEW: The Ballad of Johnny and June at The New Theatre This week, The New Theatre is presenting The Ballad of Johnny and June which portrays the love story between the legendary Johnny Cash, and his loving wife June Carter Cash. We were invited to last night's (Tuesday 10 March) opening night. The story is told through the eyes of John Carter Cash, the pair's beloved son, played by Ryan O’Donnell, who tells the tale of his parents' love story, mentioning the highs and lows

The Ballad of Johnny & June , which comes to the New Theatre, Cardiff next week (10-14 March) tells the rollercoaster story of country music power-couple, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. American musical theatre star Christopher Ryan Grant, who played Cash in the US and Canada, brings his acclaimed portrayal to the UK stage for this tour, with Christina Bianco as the multiple Grammy winner June . Packed with hits including I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hey Porter, Jacks

REPORT: Friends of Rhiwbina Library talk - Stories of the Stars: an evening storytelling event for grown-ups W hat did our ancestors see when they looked up? How did they make meaning of the constellations above them, the night skies, and the shapes of light that pinpricked the darkness? In celebration of Wales Dark Skies Week, award-winning storyteller Tamar Williams presented legends of the stars on a wet and windy evening at Rhiwbina Library (Friday 20 February), delvi