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South Wales Guardian
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Swansea Grand announces new star for 2025 panto Aladdin
The Welsh actress will join Joe Pasquale and Kev Johns in this year's production of Aladdin. Running from December 6,to January 4, Ms Cartwright will play the role of Spirit of the Ring. The north Wales native is an accomplished musical theatre performer, having been the first-ever recipient of the prestigious Catherine Zeta-Jones scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has played the leading lady in the UK tour of Come What May and was the principal vocalist in Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance. She said: "I'm over the moon to be back at Swansea Grand for this year's panto. "Nothing beats performing in front of a home crowd – the laughs, the energy, the Welsh warmth… it's pure magic!" Aladdin, which is produced by award-winning Imagine Theatre, will feature another dazzling digital set using LED screens with animated scenes and mesmerising effects. The show is set to include "hilarious slapstick, plenty of audience interaction, and marvellous musical numbers". The production company said: "Aladdin is a spectacular family adventure, and the Christmas treat you don't want to miss." Tickets for the show are on sale now. For more information visit the Swansea Grand's website.
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stevie Wonder wows huge crowd with hit-filled performance in Cardiff as he closes Blackweir Live gigs
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Away from all the controversies about the use of Blackweir in Cardiff for gigs, on Wednesday night I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been one of the tens of thousands to be standing in a park I love, in the my home city, listening to the absolute icon that is Stevie Wonder playing some of his classics just metres away from me. He is a global superstar with more accolades my word count will allow me to list, and he was right here on my doorstep, and what a night it was. The sun was shining, the venue was packed and he performed hit after hit after hit. Earlier in the week, as I was cooking dinner I'd asked Alexa to "play Stevie Wonder". For the next hour, every single song that came on was a classic, and seeing most of them live a few days later? Well, that's bucket list stuff. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The 75-year-old performed for more than two hours - coming on stage just after 8pm, ending around 10pm, telling the crowd he "had to". Given half the chance, I reckon he'd have carried on, because I can't remember a gig I've seen where the artist was so clearly enjoying every minute. Coming on stage, guided by two of his children, he explained this night was all along the theme of Love, Light & Song - and drew attention to the importance of his outfit choice, a diamante studded jacket - with Martin Luther King on one side and Gandhi on the other. (Image: John Myers) He opened with Love's in Need of Love Today - a sentiment he explained was as important today as it was when released in 1976 and closed with As in between? Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours; Sir Duke and You Are My Sunshine, were highlights. He was presented, mid-show, with an honorary fellowship of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and gave an impassioned speech about his life with sight loss. He told the crowd, "the truth is, shortly after my birth I became blind. That was a blessing because it allowed me to see the world in a vision of trust, see people in the spirit of them, not how they look, not what colour they are, but their spirits". The audience sang, boogied, swayed, and it was amazing to see the variety of ages of people there. Those who have been around for some if not all his career which started in 1962, right through to those much younger who have presumably fallen for the soul singer later in his career. He was joined on stage by his son, and support act Corinne Bailey Rae, they were the only relative breaks he took in the whole set. An impressive feat in a performance that was soulful, full of spirit and little short of beautiful. This was the last of the gigs at Blackweir, although the row over the use of the public land for gigs rumbles on, but the reviews I'd heard beforehand that it was a well organised event were true when it came to getting in, but I would say if they return, I think there's some work to do on the logistics. Downloading tickets has been a problem throughout the series as people struggled to get signal. The area we were in was packed, with huge bar queues, and our plan to eat was scuppered when we saw the massive queues there too. (Image: John Myers) Getting out was a slow affair, with relatively narrow lanes for pedestrians to exit. But even then, you can't say it ruined a night that is one which I'll never forget. A friend said to me as we left 'it was once in a lifetime, wasn't it?" and I can't disagree.
Cambrian News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cambrian News
Rhosygilwen to host 'The Merry Widow' with Welsh talent
Directing this high-energy production is Fleur Snow, a Llandysul-born artist trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, whose bold and witty direction breathes new life into Franz Lehár's classic operetta. With lyrics sung in English and peppered with cleverly adapted Welsh lines, this unique version brings a joyful local twist to the timeless tale of love, intrigue, and mistaken identity.
Western Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
The Merry Widow opera coming to Pembrokeshire estate
Pembrokeshire's Rhosygilwen estate will host The Merry Widow on July 11 and 12. The opera will be performed by a 30-strong cast of professionally trained singers, all with local roots. Catrin Aur, trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and now residing in Ceredigion, will take the lead role, blending vocal talent with comedic charm. The production is directed by Llandysul-born Fleur Snow, trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Her direction adds a fresh perspective to Franz Lehár's operetta, with lyrics sung in English and interspersed with adapted Welsh lines. The production, supported by a 10-piece live orchestra, will take place in Neuadd y Dderwen (The Oak Hall). The venue is known for its acoustics and rustic charm. Audience members can also enjoy a picnic interval in Rhosygilwen's formal gardens. The Merry Widow promises an evening of laughter, romance, and music, set in the picturesque West Wales setting. For those interested in attending, tickets are available through the Rhosygilwen website.
Pembrokeshire Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
SPAN Arts presents: An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge
A contemporary dance-theatre experience by Deborah Light SPAN ARTS is proud to present Deborah Light — acclaimed choreographer, movement director, and mother — in her first solo show, An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge. This bold and visceral work of contemporary dance-theatre delves into the complexities of motherhood through three seemingly unrelated objects. With a distinctive blend of clinical precision, raw vulnerability, feminist fury, and wicked humour, Deborah unpacks the symbolic connections between a mother, a bear, and a fridge. In doing so, she lays bare personal truths and the societal pressures that weigh on the female body, in a powerful critique of patriarchal systems. Known for her collaborative work across dance, theatre, film, and site-based performance, Deborah is also co-director of Light/Ladd/Emberton and lectures in movement at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This new solo show is supported by Arts Council Wales, Chapter, NDCWales, YMa, SPAN Arts, and Taking Flight. The performance will take place at Canolfan Hermon on Thursday, May 16 at 7:00pm. After the show, audiences are invited to stay for an informal post-show conversation with Deborah over tea and cake, to reflect on the themes of the piece. Please note: The show is recommended for ages 14+ and contains references to death, motherhood/matrescence, surgery, violence against women, gender-based inequality, ageing, climate change, and may include strong language. Event Details Date: Thursday, 16 May 2025 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Canolfan Hermon, Hermon, Glogue, SA36 0DT Tickets: £12.00 (full price) / £8.00 (concessions) Box Office: or call 01834 869323 Access: Free companion/carer tickets are available. Please call 01834 869323 to arrange. Refreshments and snacks will be available at the venue.
