Entertainment

Rescue drama at sea as Torch Theatre unveils its most imaginative panto yet

Published

2 months ago

November 17, 2025

Rapunzel takes to the waves in a Pembrokeshire twist on a classic tale

REPORTS are coming in of a multi-agency rescue operation six miles off the coast of Milford Haven — led, of course, by indomitable local hairdresser Dame Belinda Beehive.

The mission? Nothing less than saving Neyland’s head-turning stunner, Rapunzel, who this year finds herself stranded at the top of a 200-foot lighthouse rather than a tower. The Herald understands that alongside appalling sea conditions, rescuers are also contending with an unidentifiable sea monster determined to make off with their belongings.

It can only mean one thing: pantomime season has arrived at the Torch Theatre.

The Milford Haven venue’s festive production of Rapunzel, running from December 6 to December 28, promises to be one of its most ambitious and imaginative pantomimes to date.

“Yes, it’s an interesting one,” laughs writer and artistic director Chelsey Gillard, the driving force behind this year’s show. “People are starting to look for different titles and slightly more unusual fairy tales. Following on from last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, I wanted something a bit more ‘princessy’ — but still very Pembrokeshire.”

Given the Torch’s clifftop location, Chelsey leaned straight into a maritime twist. “So instead of a tower, Rapunzel is stuck in a lighthouse somewhere off the coast of Milford Haven,” she says.

Rapunzel is played by Neyland’s Holly Mayhew, a recent graduate of Drama Studio London. Her long-lost mother — Dame Belinda Beehive — is brought to life by Lloyd Grayshon, while mischievous puffin Zephyr is played by Freya Dare. They are joined by the occasional shark, an assorted school of fish, and a host of friendly sea creatures played by members of the Torch Youth Theatre.

But while the setting may be new, Chelsey says the heart of pantomime remains firmly intact.

“It’s a slightly unusual story, but it’s still got all the essentials: a dame, slapstick routines, loads of songs, silly dances, and all the audience interaction that creates the magic of a pantomime. People’s expectations are huge — this is the main theatrical event of the year — so we have to pour everything into it.”

Chelsey admits that responsibility weighs heavily, but her love for panto keeps her motivated.

“I’ve always adored panto. As a child I’d look forward to it every year with my school or with my mum and dad. It was a huge thing for me — and I want our audiences to feel that same excitement.”

This year’s production also comes as something of a relief after Chelsey’s recent turn into darker territory with October’s gothic The Turn of the Screw.

“That was a much more serious piece,” she says. “So the thought of being silly for a few weeks is exactly what I need!”

Rehearsals are now entering their second week ahead of the first school performance on November 26. With just three weeks to pull everything together, Chelsey says she is supported by a formidable creative team, including designer Kevin Jenkins and workshop manager Sam Wordsworth.

“All the sets are built on site here at the Torch — which is really rare these days. Thanks to the team’s skill, the designs were finished back in May. A panto takes a good twelve months of planning before opening night.”

Even so, Chelsey admits to nerves during the first script read-through.

“You always wonder whether the jokes will land and if the cast will get your humour. And audiences here in Pembrokeshire are not shy about telling you what they think!”

But now that rehearsals are in full swing, she says the joy of the process has returned.

“I’m lucky to do a job I love so much. And once the show is up and running, I get to step back and enjoy what this brilliant cast has created.”

Rapunzel runs from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, December 28.
Tickets: £24.50 | £20 concessions | £78 family.
Relaxed performance: Saturday, December 13 at 2:00pm.
BSL interpreted performance: Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00pm (interpreter: Liz May).

For full details, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Entertainment

The littlest yak heads to Milford Haven this half term

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Award-nominated family show brings puppetry and music to the Torch Theatre

A FAMILY theatre production nominated for four OffWestEnd Awards is set to visit Milford Haven this half term when The Littlest Yak comes to the Torch Theatre.

Presented by LAStheatre, the show is a musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book and is aimed at audiences aged three and over. It combines puppetry, original songs and live performance to tell a story about confidence, growing up and self-acceptance.

The story follows Gertie, a young yak who is proud of her curly wool and sure-footed hooves but frustrated at being the smallest in the herd. Keen to grow up and be like the big yaks, Gertie soon learns that there are some things only she can do, in a message designed to encourage children to value their own strengths.

The production has received strong audience feedback during its UK tour, with reviewers praising the puppetry, music and visual design, as well as its appeal to both children and adults.

The Littlest Yak is produced by Liz Bate and performed by a cast including Megan Ashley, Isobel Horner, Charlie Limm and Eloise Richardson. The creative team includes writer and director Barra Collins, composer Joseph Hardy and designer Alison Alexander, who created the set, costumes and puppets.

The show is based on the book by children’s author Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley.

The Littlest Yak will be staged at the Torch Theatre on Saturday, February 21, with performances at 12.30pm and 3.00pm.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £12.50 for children. Further information is available via the Torch Theatre website or by contacting the box office on (01646) 695267.

Entertainment

Woolf Works to be screened at Torch Theatre

Published

4 days ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Olivier Award winning Royal Ballet triptych inspired by Virginia Woolf will be shown on Sunday 15 February at 5:00pm

THE ROYAL BALLET’S Woolf Works is coming to the Torch Theatre screen, giving local audiences the chance to experience one of the company’s most acclaimed modern productions.

The Observer and Broadway World have both awarded the production five stars, with the ballet widely praised for bringing Virginia Woolf’s writing to life through movement, music and striking design.

Created for The Royal Ballet in 2015, Woolf Works is an Olivier Award winning triptych that draws on themes from Mrs Dalloway, Orlando, The Waves and other Woolf works. Rather than following a traditional storyline, it reflects Woolf’s distinctive stream of consciousness style, exploring inner worlds and emotional reality in a series of powerful, connected pieces.

The production features designs by Moritz Junge, whose work spans major opera and ballet productions including Così fan tutte for Opera Australia, Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and Les Troyens, Aida and The Tempest at the Royal Opera. He also designed costumes for the London 2012 Paralympics opening ceremony and was an overall winner of the Linbury Prize for Stage Design.

Choreography is by Sir Wayne McGregor, who was appointed The Royal Ballet’s Resident Choreographer in 2006, becoming the first in the role to come from a contemporary dance background. His approach, supported by a leading creative team, helps shape a large scale work which avoids conventional narrative structures in favour of atmosphere, texture and emotional depth.

Woolf Works will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Sunday 15 February at 5:00pm.

Tickets are £20, £18 concessions and £9 for under 26s. For further information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Charity

Charity medium night to raise funds for Cancer Research Wales in Milford Haven

Published

6 days ago

January 12, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

International spiritualist medium to appear at rugby club event

A CHARITY evening with an international spiritualist medium is set to take place in Milford Haven later this month, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research Wales.

The event will be held on Friday (Jan 16) at Milford Haven Rugby Club, and will feature a live demonstration by Lee Mills, who is described by organisers as an internationally recognised spiritualist medium.

Organised in support of Cancer Research Wales, the evening aims to raise funds for cancer research carried out in Wales. Organisers have confirmed that all proceeds raised on the night will be donated to the charity.

Doors open at 6:30pm, with the event starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are priced at £12, and the evening is a ticket-only event.

Those wishing to attend are advised to book in advance. Tickets can be available by contacting Sara on 07817 677632.

Organisers said the event offers local residents the chance to enjoy an evening of entertainment while also supporting a Welsh charity dedicated to funding life-saving cancer research.