Arts and entertainment

New book 'lifts the lid' on local history

A new book by a local author aims to 'lift the lid' on the history of Whitchurch - a North Cardiff suburb which has been the site of conflict, agriculture, and heavy industry over the centuries. One Man's Whitchurch - A Step Back in Time by Terry Chard is published this weekend (30 November), and it covers parts of Rhiwbina too, as they used to be in Whitchurch parish. Terry said the book "acts as a reminder of how much history and heritage has been lost and not just lost,

5 hours ago

High quality version of a Christie classic

REVIEW: 'Death on the Nile' at New Theatre, Cardiff A new production of an Agatha Christie classic has arrived in Cardiff, offering the chance to leave chilly South Wales for a luxurious cruise under the Egyptian sun. Death on the Nile opened to a packed house at the New Theatre last night (Tuesday 25 November), and the audience was not disappointed. This is another high quality Christie adaptation from the team that gave us Murder on the Orient Express earlier this year. W

2 days ago

North Cardiff young performers take centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall

Young performers from North Cardiff were among those representing the South-East Wales Youth Orchestra and Choir, who took centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall. Brought together by Cardiff and Vale Music Education, the ensemble included 92 pupils from across the two local authorities. The North Cardiff schools involved were Whitchurch High School, Llanishen High School, The Bishop of Llandaff, Cardiff High School, Radyr Comprehensive, and Ysgol Gymraeg Glantaf. The wider Sou

Nov 21

Dazzling new take on a classic musical

REVIEW: 'Fiddler on the Roof' at New Theatre, Cardiff A packed audience responded with a standing ovation for the opening performance of the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof 's Cardiff run last night (Tuesday). After a sold-out season at the Barbican in London, this Olivier Award-winning production is now nearing the end of a hugely successful UK and Ireland tour. And what a treat it is. The show, which won the Oliviers for Best Musical Revival, Best Set Design, and Best S

Nov 19

Cardiff theatre preview: Musicals, classic and new

The UK tour of the Olivier award-winning production of classic musical Fiddler on the Roof arrives at Cardiff's New Theatre next week (18-22 November). The show, which won the Oliviers for Best Musical Revival, Best Set Design, and Best Sound Design, stars Matthew Woodyatt as Tevye, Jodie Jacobs as Golde, and Olivier Award nominee Beverley Klein as Yente. WIdely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time, it features much-loved songs including If I Were A Rich Man

Nov 11

Laughs and shocks in a dark new crime comedy

REVIEW: 'Murder at Midnight' at New Theatre, Cardiff It's New Year's Eve in the fancy Kent home of one-eyed gangster, pig farmer, and Robbie Williams fanatic, Jonny 'The Cyclops' Drinkwater. Jonny (played by TV and stage favourite Jason Durr) also owns seven angry Rottweilers and can get angry himself. When he does, those who get in his way may find themselves murdered, chopped up, and fed to the pigs. So, when he arrives home unexpectedly, just as his girlfriend (Katie McGly

Nov 5

Rhiwbina Library started it all

Rhiwbina-based artist and designer David Hopkins , recalls some of the experiences and events and that have influenced and contributed towards the artworks that he now produces and sells, which put a different perspective on familiar subjects. Do you sometimes reflect how you got to where you are now? Was there a plan? Or did it just happen? In my case, I think it just happened, but now I’m not so sure. It appears that I’m revisiting what I started doing almost a lifetime ago

Nov 3

New play confronts the untamed damage of male trauma

REVIEW: 'No Man's Land' at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff The title of No Man's Land - whose press night we attended last night (Wednesday 15 October) - suggests an unflinching theatrical journey through modern masculinity, and that is what's delivered. It also suggests necessary psychological detachment or abandon in the face of pure horror, of wartime battlefields and 'going over the top' to face an enemy, a state of unknowable terrifying existential limbo. The theme of conflict

Oct 16

SnowShow is a slowmo, surreal spectacle

REVIEW: 'Slava's SnowShow' at New Theatre, Cardiff Unique, bizarre, surreal, fantastic, joyful, spectacular, unforgettable. It's hard to find the right adjectives for Slava’s SnowShow , but all of those apply - and more. This multi award-winning show, which debuted in Moscow more than 30 years ago, and reached international audiences at the 1996 Edinburgh Festival, is back touring the UK, and we were at tonight's (Wednesday 15 October) opening of its Cardiff run. Slava’s Snow

Oct 15