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”
Author Archives: Gareth Williams
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”
Skylight – Theatr Clwyd
There is a moment in Skylight, David Hare’s award-winning 1995 play, where businessman Tom talks about religion and spirituality. He declares his admiration for the former due to its rules and expectations of behaviour. He dismisses the latter as wishee-washee and unreasonable. This observation tells us a lot about his character. It is the reason,Continue reading “Skylight – Theatr Clwyd”
Sunny Afternoon -Venue Cymru
What do an axe, chandelier, cricket bat, and suit of armour have in common? Answer: they all appear in a particularly trippy scene in Sunny Afternoon. The hit musical, depicting the rise of The Kinks, is not all crazy antics and wild buffoonery though. The story of one of Britain’s most influential bands has plentyContinue reading “Sunny Afternoon -Venue Cymru”
Broadchurch – Back to its best
In this age of fake news and alternative facts, I have decided that I’m going to pedal one of my own: Broadchurch has returned to ITV after four years with a second series. Yes, DI’s David Tennant and Olivia Colman are respectively donning their beard and anorak again to solve another crime in the smallContinue reading “Broadchurch – Back to its best”
Desmond Carrington – All Time Great
Having passed away on the same day that this show was already scheduled to be broadcast, Desmond Carrington: All Time Great turned out to be a timely and fitting tribute to a truly great broadcaster. After a long battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, the presenter of The Music Goes Round on Radio 2 forContinue reading “Desmond Carrington – All Time Great”
The rising cost of music tickets
I took a phone call the other day from a person wanting to purchase tickets for Aled Jones’ Cathedral Tour. When I announced that we weren’t selling them directly, but that we were simply the venue, he got quite annoyed about having to go through Ticketmaster as an only option. This wasn’t because he didn’tContinue reading “The rising cost of music tickets”
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