7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Caerleon's Arts Festival celebrates its 23rd year in 2025
The festival runs form July 3 to July 13.
Actor Joe Rooney, who played Father Damian in the priest parody, will present a Father Ted celebration at St Cadoc's Church on Monday, July 7.
William Byrne, one of the festival's organisers, says the festival can only grow and help boost culture in south Wales. The festival is now in its 23rd year.
Father Ted, a much-loved comedy show is famous for lampooning priests and the Catholic Church.
A callow youth, Fr Damian is something of a parody of the Catholic patron saint of Lepers. Rather than avoiding life outside of holy orders, Fr Damian is a fashion-obsessed, shallow and naïve young man who has delusions of coolness. Father Ted was one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s.
Other attractions at the festival include From Page to Stage, with various performers reprising musicals that were inspired by literature. The celebrations will include performances from Westside Story, My Fair Lady and Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera. The musical tributes will also be held at St Cadoc's Church.
West Side Story is based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Les Miserable is based on Victor Hugo's book of the same name, My Fair Lady is based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and Phantom of the Opera is based on Gaston Leroux's novel of the same name.
There will be all genres of music from jazz and rock to male voice choirs. There will also be comedy, musicals and chats with local authors. Male voice choir and Shakespeare performances will be held at the Amphitheatre. Other venues include local pubs such as The Hanbury Arms.
Events and ticketing information can be found at Caerleon Festival or From Page to Stage - Caerleon Festival
