On December 4th 1956, four musicians gathered for a recording at Sun Records in Memphis. This gathering has gone down in music history as one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. It has even become the subject of a smash hit musical called Million Dollar Quartet. For one million dollars, they must beContinue reading “Million Dollar Quartet – Venue Cymru”
Author Archives: Gareth Williams
Grantchester and The Rise of the TV Vicar
As Grantchester prepares to get underway with its third series on ITV, I felt it would be a good time to reflect on the recent surge in clerical figures appearing on our television screens. Whether in comedy, drama, or documentary, the rise of the TV vicar is very exciting on a personal level. But itContinue reading “Grantchester and The Rise of the TV Vicar”
The Good, The Bad, and The Nuns
As someone who has a keen interest in the portrayal of clerical characters on screen, it has been intriguing to note the gradual rise of nuns onto both the small and big screens in recent times. My most recent trip to the cinema got me thinking about this. It wasn’t something I was expecting fromContinue reading “The Good, The Bad, and The Nuns”
Scarlett Review – Theatr Clwyd
There is much to love in Scarlett. This one act play is short and sweet. Yet don’t think it lacks depth. It tackles issues of identity, family and death in a very humorous and conversational way. Part of its appeal lies in the relationships between the three generations of women onstage – protagonist Scarlett, herContinue reading “Scarlett Review – Theatr Clwyd”
Born to Kill – Disturbingly Promising Drama
Born to Kill is Channel 4’s new psychological thriller. And boy, is it a disturbing one too. The climax to this debut episode was shocking, so much so that I had to look away. And even then, I felt sick afterwards. But this goes to prove the emotional power of this drama. It is notContinue reading “Born to Kill – Disturbingly Promising Drama”
The Brian Matthew Story
The perfect voice for radio. This is said about a lot of people. For Brian Matthew though, it was never more true. The Radio 2 stalwart, who passed away recently at the age of 88, spoke in such a distinct tone. His was a lovely and smooth, a warm and friendly, voice. It is oneContinue reading “The Brian Matthew Story”
La Boheme – WNO
Having recently been introduced to Jonathan Larson’s musical Rent, I was really intrigued to see a performance of its original source material. La Boheme is currently being performed by the Welsh National Opera (WNO) as part of their ‘Love’s Poisoned Chalice’ season. Set here on the eve of the First World War, it is essentiallyContinue reading “La Boheme – WNO”
Junkyard: A New Musical – Theatr Clwyd
Please don’t misunderstand me when I say that Junkyard: A New Musical is a load of rubbish. It is by no means of poor quality, lacking in characterisation, or short on story. I am actually making reference to the dynamic and inventive set. It is made (almost entirely) of waste material: planks of wood, oldContinue reading “Junkyard: A New Musical – Theatr Clwyd”
The Replacement – BBC One
The BBC1 drama The Replacement can be summed up in three words: gripping and tense. Writer and Director Joe Ahearne has created a simmering pot of suspicion that makes for a fabulously enjoyable three hours of television. It weaves a fantastic web of intrigue and doubt as pregnant mum Ellen (played by Morven Christie) suspectsContinue reading “The Replacement – BBC One”
Hedda Gabler – National Theatre Live
There are some nice aesthetic touches in the National Theatre’s screening of Hedda Gabler. As Ruth Wilson, who plays the lead role, informs us in the interval, the set is a representation of Hedda’s brain. It is largely unfurnished – there is a piano, a sofa, a few pots filled with flowers, and an intercomContinue reading “Hedda Gabler – National Theatre Live”
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