Review

Rhiwbina talk explores the mysteries of memory

REPORT: Friends of Rhiwbina Library author talk - Professor John Aggleton on 'Memory: Losing, Using, and Improving' Professor John Aggleton of Cardiff University joined the Friends of Rhiwbina Library, this week (Tuesday 9 December) to speak about the brain and memory; how we use it, lose it, and ways to improve it. A world expert in neuroscience , John’s research has expanded the scientific community's (and now the local Rhiwbina community's!) understanding of how memory i

6 days ago

Glitz, glam, and festive fun at New Theatre's panto

REVIEW: 'Sleeping Beauty' at The New Theatre Panto season is back and is in full swing at The New Theatre, with Sleeping Beauty ! We all know the story of Princess Aurora, who sadly lost both of her parents. She is raised by Nurse Nellie, and is protected by her, and the Spirit of Pantomine up until her 21st birthday when the evil Carabosse is plotting her revenge in order to get the throne. Luckily for Aurora, she has the help of Nurse Nellie, the Spirit of Pantomine, Muddle

Dec 10

Child-friendly show delivers songs, laughter, and fun

REVIEW: 'The Frog Prince' at Sherman Theatre The Frog Prince is currently playing at The Sherman Theatre, and we were lucky enough to go and have front row seats to one of the performances! It follows the story of a young princess, Biwti, and her father, the King, who both love Christmas. Like most families, they spend the day together celebrating and want the day, as well as everything else in life, to be “perfect”. During the planning of their special day, her father gifts

Dec 7

Alice Returns: The Sherman goes back to Wonderland for full-throttle festive fun

REVIEW: 'Alice: Return to Wonderland' at Sherman Theatre The seasonal festive cracker from the Sherman Theatre was much anticipated in our house after a couple of immensely pleasing December visits, and it once again exceeded all expectations. Billed as a spectacular and supremely silly adventure into Wonderland, the show is based on Lewis Carroll's 1871 novel, Through the Looking-Glass . But we are removed to a 1940s Cardiff via the direction and words of Sherman regular Han

Dec 3

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

Nov 26

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

Election coverage under the spotlight

REPORT: Friends of Rhiwbina Library author talk - Professor Richard Thomas on 'Reporting Elections: Rethinking the Logic of Campaign Coverage' Professor Richard Thomas joined the Friends of Rhiwbina Library this week (Tuesday 11 November) to give an engaging talk on how politics and general elections are covered by journalists and news organisations. A professor at Swansea University and head of its School of Culture and Communication, Richard has written extensively about bi

Nov 13

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

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