Cinderella – Venue Cymru ***

You are invited into a world of pure imagination for Venue Cymru’s 2018 pantomime. Cinderella is an enchanting effort from both cast and crew. Whilst never completely whisking us away to another world, it nevertheless casts a few magical spells that will delight young and old alike. Carly Burns plays a bubbly and bright Cinderella.Continue reading “Cinderella – Venue Cymru ***”

Awful Auntie – Venue Cymru

For anyone who enjoyed Gangsta Granny, Awful Auntie is a decent follow-up adaptation of David Walliams’ popular series of children’s books. The premise of the show is pretty simple. Stella (Georgina Leonidas) wakes up to find that her parents have disappeared. According to her Aunt Alberta (Timothy Speyer), they have died in a car crash.Continue reading “Awful Auntie – Venue Cymru”

Shrek: The Musical – Venue Cymru

If you can’t wait for the start of pantomime season, then I would highly recommend a visit to see Shrek: The Musical. We may not be getting a happy ending to a summer of high temperatures and searing heat. But the return of rain is perhaps the perfect magical ingredient to tempt you indoors forContinue reading “Shrek: The Musical – Venue Cymru”

Fame: The Musical – Venue Cymru

I really wanted to hate Fame: The Musical. I really did. But the predecessor to High School Musical and Glee just wouldn’t let me. I started off slouching in my seat and watching through gritted teeth. But by the end I was stood up and clapping along to the encore. What makes it so addictiveContinue reading “Fame: The Musical – Venue Cymru”

Americana Night @ The Llangollen Fringe

It may be stripped down and laid bare compared to its international predecessor, the Eisteddfod, but the Llangollen Fringe has much to offer. After the big guns of Alfie Boe, Kaiser Chiefs and Van Morrison took to the stage at the Pavilion in front of hundreds last week, this week sees a host of muchContinue reading “Americana Night @ The Llangollen Fringe”

20th Century Boy – Venue Cymru

When I first attended a musical based on the life of a famous musician, the recreation of their live performances was exciting, engaging, and electrifying. Complete with supercharged lighting, atmospheric smoke, and the sound cranked up to ear-shattering decibels, it was almost as good as seeing the real thing. But now, although still impressive, theContinue reading “20th Century Boy – Venue Cymru”

The Shires – Accidentally On Purpose Tour

The Shires were welcomed back with thunderous applause and rapturous whooping on their second visit to North Wales this week. After a sold-out debut as part of the My Universe tour 18 months ago, the country duo returned to Venue Cymru with a bigger, bolder and brasher set as part of their Accidentally on PurposeContinue reading “The Shires – Accidentally On Purpose Tour”

Hairspray – Venue Cymru

Before the curtain even goes up on Hairspray, you know that you’re in for a good time. The colourful lights, the upbeat music, the buzz of audience chatter. And when Good Morning Baltimore kicks in and the curtain flings up, the party well and truly begins. For this opening number, the stage is full ofContinue reading “Hairspray – Venue Cymru”

Geoff Evans – Paper Planes

I’m stepping rather close to home this week in recommending a listen to a North Wales-based singer-songwriter. His name is Geoff Evans and he has just released his new EP Paper Planes. For someone who is still a relative unknown outside of his immediate locality, this four-track collection could be the one that takes himContinue reading “Geoff Evans – Paper Planes”

The Weir – Mercury Theatre @ Theatr Clwyd

Whilst on holiday in Ireland a couple of years ago, a visit to the low-lying valley of Glendalough found us walking through the stone ruins of a monastery. On this particular day, the mist had come down. There was rain in the air. For a popular tourist destination, there were few people around. It wasContinue reading “The Weir – Mercury Theatre @ Theatr Clwyd”