COLOURFUL choristers filled Pembroke Castle with festive spirit during its Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 30.

Dressed in an array of Christmas jumpers, ties, and Santa hats, the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir delighted visitors with a programme of 12 songs, complemented by leading several beloved carols.

Musical Director Juliet Rossiter conducted the choir, ensuring their performance ran smoothly. Accompanying them for the second time was the Rev William Lambert, the choir’s new accompanist who has quickly become a valued addition.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, two members of Cor Meibion De Cymru joined the choir on stage for a rousing rendition of American Trilogy, marking a memorable conclusion to their set.

As 2024 draws to a close, the choir plans to bring joy to three local residential homes before taking a well-earned break. Practices will resume in January, and new members are warmly encouraged to join.

Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays at 7:00pm at St Teilo’s Church Hall, Pembroke Dock. Interested singers can contact Choir Secretary Dave Powell on 07572 080401.

PICTURED: Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir on stage at Pembroke Castle’s Christmas Fayre. (Picture: P&DMVC)

PEMBROKESHIRE composer, writer and director, James Williams, has worked on every Torch Theatre festive show for the past 25 years. His first show at the Torch in Milford Haven was Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates back in 1998 and since then James has been lucky enough to work with several artistic directors and actors along the way.

This Christmas, James, an Associate Director of the Torch, has composed music for the Torch Theatre’s festive pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk as well as Little Red Riding Hood for the Sherman Theatre, written A Christmas Wish for Simply Theatre, Geneva and written and directed Snow White and the Seven Elves for Bluestone Wales.

“Composing for the Torch Theatre this year has been an absolute joy, with a lot of silliness. The script is just fantastic, and the songs are catchy, full of earworms that will stick in your head. We have some incredible singers, and the music is just banging, challenging, popping and a lot of fun with audience participation where people will feel part of the action. The ‘five a day song’ is definitely one you’ll remember,” chuckled James.

But having composed for so many festive pantos here in Pembrokeshire, from where does James get his inspiration?

“It all starts with the script, and I make sure that the songs are relevant to the actions on stage. I try to imagine what it would be like to be in that world and if I can get the character clear in my head, it all comes easily. It’s the words that are harder I find and it can be quite challenging,” explained James who moved to the Carew area from Cardiff just before lockdown.  

Over the years, James has worked for several other companies including NTW, WNO, Hijinx, Triongl, Give It A Name and Theatre Royal Plymouth. He’s the composer of the musical The Jolly Folly of Polly the Scottish Trolley Dolly and The Sheep Chronicles in collaboration with playwright Lesley Ross. He is director of the award-winning circus show Flown for Pirates of the Carabina and has directed the MAMT Showcase for RWCMD since the course inception in 2011.

With only five more years of enjoyment before James reaches a huge milestone of composing for the Christmas shows here at the Torch Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk remains one of his favourites.

Jack and the Beanstalk can be seen at the Torch Theatre from Fri 13 – Sun 29 Dec 2024 with matinee and evening performances. Ticket prices: £23.50 | £19.50 Cons | £75.00 Family. Relaxed Environment Performance on Saturday 14 December at 2pm. BSL Performance – Tuesday 17 December at 6pm.

To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

Are you a ballet fan? Are you enchanted by the story of Cinderella? Then look no
further than The Royal Ballet: Cinderella, broadcast live here at the Torch Theatre,
Milford Haven this December. The evergreen story of magic, charm, love, courage
and kindness will transport you into an ethereal world where a sprinkling of fairy dust
makes dreams come true.
This enchanting ballet by the Royal Ballet’s Founder Choreographer Fredrick Ashton
is a theatrical experience for all the family this Christmas and one that everyone
loves. Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella’s life is
dreary and dull. Everything changes when she helps a mysterious woman out…With
a little bit of magic, she is transported into an ethereal new world – one where fairies
bring the gifts of the seasons, where pumpkins turn into carriages, and where true
love awaits.
Awarded five stars by The Financial Times and The Stage, the production has also
received rave reviews by the Express, The Times and the Evening Standard and is a
festive treat not to be missed.
The Royal Ballet: Cinderella will be broadcast live at the Torch Theatre on
Tuesday 10 December at 7.15pm. Tickets are: Full: £20. Concession: £18 and U26:
£9.
To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on 01646
695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.