Bellini’s final masterpiece receives its first new Metropolitan Opera production in nearly 50 years, featuring a world-class cast and a dramatic English Civil War setting

FOR soaring melodies, spellbinding coloratura and virtuosic vocal fireworks, I Puritani has few equals. Opera lovers in Pembrokeshire are in for a treat this January when the Metropolitan Opera’s spectacular new production is broadcast live to the Torch Theatre.

This highly anticipated performance marks the first new Met staging of Vincenzo Bellini’s final masterpiece in nearly 50 years. The production is directed by Charles Edwards, who makes his company directorial debut after many acclaimed successes as a set designer, and has already generated excitement ahead of its worldwide cinema broadcast.

Presented in three acts, I Puritani is set in England around 1650, during the turmoil of the English Civil War. The drama unfolds in Plymouth, a Puritan stronghold under threat of siege from Royalist forces. As distant voices announce the wedding day of Elvira, daughter of the fortress commander Gualtiero, political and personal tensions begin to collide.

Riccardo, Elvira’s rejected suitor, laments that the woman promised to him loves another man – Arturo, a supporter of the Stuart cause. Refusing to force his daughter into an unwanted marriage, Gualtiero leaves Riccardo heartbroken. Elvira, meanwhile, confides in her uncle Giorgio that she would rather die than marry Riccardo. Giorgio reassures her that he has persuaded her father to allow her to marry Arturo, despite his Royalist loyalties.

As wedding celebrations begin, Arturo arrives at the castle and is reunited with Elvira. He soon discovers that Queen Enrichetta, widow of King Charles, is imprisoned there and awaiting trial in London. Alone with the queen, Arturo makes a fateful decision to help her escape – even at the risk of his own life – setting in motion a dramatic chain of events driven by love, loyalty and betrayal.

The Metropolitan Opera has assembled a world-class cast for the opera’s demanding principal roles, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Soprano Lisette Oropesa stars as Elvira, alongside tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Arturo. Baritone Artur Ruciński appears as Riccardo, while bass-baritone Christian Van Horn plays Elvira’s compassionate uncle, Giorgio.

Sung in Italian with English subtitles, I Puritani, composed by Vincenzo Bellini with a libretto by Carlo Pepoli, is a thrilling blend of romance, political intrigue and bel canto brilliance.

I Puritani will be broadcast live from the Met Opera to the Torch Theatre on Saturday 10 January at 6:00pm.

Tickets: Full £20 / Concessions £18 / Under 26s £9
Booking: www.torchtheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 01646 695267

VAIN, enthusiastic, dramatic and utterly loveable, Prince Nathaniel of Neyland is set to steal hearts on the Torch Theatre stage this festive season in Rapunzel.

Played by the charismatic Harry Lynn, the flamboyant prince is the sort of pantomime hero audiences can’t help but cheer on, even when he is wildly out of his depth. From the moment he steps on stage, Prince Nathaniel is determined to help Rapunzel at every possible turn – even if bravery doesn’t always come naturally.

Describing the role as “wonderfully silly, enthusiastic, and a big-hearted comedic hero,” Harry says Prince Nathaniel is “the epitome of royal bravery,” striking his dramatic “Prince Pose” whenever the moment allows.

“But in reality, he’s often nervous, dramatic, and hilariously out of his depth,” Harry explained. “He’s pampered, easily flustered, and very vain about his hair – to the point where a haircut at Belinda’s salon becomes a full-on event. Beneath all the bravado, though, he’s loyal, caring, and absolutely determined to do the right thing, especially when Rapunzel needs him.”

Harry, who trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, believes audiences will quickly fall for the prince’s perfectly imperfect charm.

“He’s confident but clueless, brave but squeamish, and always trying his best,” he said. “And when it really counts, he genuinely steps up. Whether he fully saves the day… well, this is a pantomime, so every hero needs a little help. Let’s just say he plays an integral part in Rapunzel’s fairytale ending.”

A familiar face to panto fans, Harry has just completed a run as Hunk/Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and says the festive season is his favourite time of year to perform.

“Panto season is pure joy – loud audiences, lots of laughter, plenty of improvisation, and that special festive atmosphere where anything can happen,” he said. “It’s a theatre experience like no other and the perfect way to celebrate Christmas.”

Prince Nathaniel, however, rarely has a quiet moment on stage. He is chased, sprayed, gunged, electrocuted, bashed in the face, tangled in a complicated ladder sequence – and faints, falls, panics, poses and hides behind Belinda whenever fear takes over.

“It’s a lot,” Harry laughed. “The challenge is keeping the comedy big and bold while still maintaining his charm. Having the Prince arrive in full regal mode, only to be sprayed in the face and gunged by Belinda, is peak panto chaos – huge fun to perform and, hopefully, even more fun to watch.”

Rapunzel – the hair-raising adventure runs at the Torch Theatre from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, December 28. A Relaxed Environment performance takes place on Saturday, December 13 at 2:00pm, with a BSL-interpreted performance on Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00pm.

Tickets are priced at £24.50, £20.00 concessions, or £78.00 for a family ticket. For more information or to book, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

PERIWINKLE the sea sprite is mischievous, big-hearted and the guardian of the
Cleddau who loves exploring the Pembrokeshire coast and the loveable character
can’t wait to meet you all this December as Rapunzel comes alive on the Torch
Theatre stage.

From Broad Haven and Little Haven, to Druidstone, Newgale and St
David’s, Periwinkle has magical powers and abilities, can harness the armour and
strength of a crab, or the speed and agility of a fish!

Eifion ap Cadno, who plays Periwinkle, hails from Bangor in north Wales. He trained
in Acting and Contemporary Theatre at East 15 Acting School before heading out to
perform with theatre companies across the UK, Germany and Austria. This will be
his first ever pantomime appearance, and he can’t wait to entertain Pembrokeshire
audiences.

“I’m very much looking forward to taking part as everything about it is so positive.
The original script is mad, the cast members are so generous and supportive,
everyone involved is just so talented and a joy to work with. Moving from rehearsals
in the studio to the main stage and seeing all the design and technical elements
come together has been so magical. I feel very privileged to be a part of such a
brilliant team and production,” said Eifion.

Audiences will love Periwinkle’s fabulous look, all clad in netting, seaweed, shells
and coral, with enormous hair that is very blue. Periwinkle can move like a jellyfish,
sometimes a crab, sometimes a fish, or anything sea-dwelling and can be very silly
at times.

“Periwinkle has a rather fantastic and elaborate appearance, to put it mildly. Gettinginto costume, applying all my make-up and putting on the wig (it’s not my real hair,
sorry to disappoint), is definitely a big part of getting into character. The designer and
wardrobe team have done such an amazing job of bringing Periwinkle to life – I find
that once I’m all dolled up, most of the work has already been done!”

The magical and mischievous Periwinkle has been a favourite with school children
during the school pantomime sessions and the audience support has put Eifion at
ease.

“The truth is, nothing can quite prepare you for the stage – it’s such a different
experience finally having all those children sat watching you! And they’ve not sat
quietly so far, they’ve really got involved. Periwinkle, wants to be best friends with
the audience and get them to help fight the mean witch Mother Gothel and this has
meant a lot of audience interaction!”

Rapunzel, the hair-raising adventure can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage now
until Sunday 28 December. Relaxed Environment Performance Saturday 13
December at 2pm and BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday 16 December at
6pm. Ticket price: £24.50 | £20.00 Cons | £78.00 Family. For further information visit
the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on
(01646) 695267.