Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society unveils musical director Angharad Sanders as work begins on next big production

MILFORD HAVEN Amateur Operatic Society has announced the first member of the creative team for its 2027 production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Torch Theatre.

The society revealed this week that Angharad Sanders will join the production as Musical Director, as preparations begin for the much-loved Ian Fleming musical to arrive in Pembrokeshire in March 2027.

In a post shared on social media, the group said it was “absolutely thrilled” to unveil part of the production team for the show, describing Sanders as bringing “a wealth of knowledge from the West End to Pembrokeshire”.

The appointment comes after the society’s recent sell-out production of Evita, with members saying they were delighted to be working with her again.

The society added that rehearsals for the new show are due to begin in September, with Sanders expected to lead the cast musically as preparations gather pace over the coming months.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains one of the best-known family musicals, featuring songs that have delighted audiences for generations and a title role that is always a major draw for theatre-goers.

The announcement is likely to build excitement among local performers and audiences alike, with the Torch Theatre once again set to host a major amateur production on its stage.

Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society said details on how people can join the society and take part in the audition process will be released in due course.

There really is nothing like a dame — and there is certainly nothing quite like Pembrokeshire’s very own Lloyd Grayshon.

THE MUCH-LOVED local actor has been invited back to the Torch Theatre for this year’s festive pantomime, Puss in Boots, which comes with a Wild West twist this December.

Spirited, lively and always with a twinkle in his eye, Lloyd has become a firm favourite with Torch audiences through a string of memorable pantomime performances. Past roles have included Titania Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk and Dame Belinda Beehive in Rapunzel.

Lloyd said: “I’m absolutely delighted and very honoured to be invited back. I’m also very excited, as it’s not every day you get to dress up, wear wacky clothes and get such a great response from our lovely audience.”

Bold, brassy and full of charm, Lloyd’s larger-than-life dame performances have delighted audiences of all ages. With his mischievous grin, boundless energy and gift for comic timing, he has had theatre-goers rolling in the aisles and coming back for more.

“I’ve played many different roles at the Torch and in its pantomimes,” he said. “The first was the Genie in Aladdin, and again in 2019. My next pantomime role came in 2023 as Belle’s Father and understudy for the Dame in Beauty and the Beast. That was when I got my first chance to play the Dame, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Lloyd, who runs his own media company and lives in Hook, said playing Dame Belinda Beehive was one of the most enjoyable experiences of his career.

He added: “Playing Dame Belinda Beehive was one of the most fun experiences I have ever had on stage. Belinda was a big, bright, energetic beauty who had a keen eye for the opposite sex. Once she had you in her sights… look out!”

A father of two, Lloyd says the role of the Dame gives him the freedom to throw himself fully into the performance.

“I love the freedom it gives me to have fun with both the audience and the cast,” he said. “It’s great fun reacting in the moment to ever-changing situations. I really enjoy throwing myself around on stage and giving 100 per cent energy from start to finish.

“I just love making a connection with the audience. Some are up for it straight away and others need a little encouragement, but the more they give me, the more fun I have. It’s not to be feared — it’s a lot of fun.”

As Lloyd gets ready to step into Puss in Boots, audiences can expect original songs, hiss-terical humour and more local references than you can shake your tail at. In Wild West Wales, anything is possible. Can Puss help our heroes find fame and fur-tune? Audiences will have to pull on their dancing shoes and join the meow-sical extravaganza to find out.

Puss in Boots will be at the Torch Theatre from Saturday, December 5 to Saturday, January 2. A Relaxed Environment Performance will take place on December 19 at 2:00pm, while a BSL-interpreted performance will be held on Tuesday, December 22 at 6:00pm.

Tickets are available through the Torch Theatre website or from the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Hit documentary charting Wrexham AFC’s remarkable rise under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will continue as the club closes in on the Premier League

THE HIT football documentary Welcome to Wrexham has been renewed for a further three seasons, extending the story of the Welsh club’s extraordinary revival under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The series, which first aired in 2022, has followed Wrexham AFC’s transformation since the two actors bought the club for £2 million in February 2021. Since then, the team has secured three successive promotions, climbing from the National League to the Championship.

From the beginning, Reynolds and McElhenney made no secret of their ambition to take Wrexham all the way to the Premier League. With the club now just one division below the top flight, that goal is looking more realistic than ever.

Reynolds announced the latest renewal news to his huge Instagram following, telling fans that season five will premiere on May 14 and confirming that the programme has been commissioned for three more runs.

The documentary, produced by FX and available in the UK on Disney+, has proved a major success with audiences and critics alike. It has won 10 Emmy Awards as well as two Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

Wrexham’s rise has become one of the most talked-about stories in British football, with the documentary helping to bring global attention to the club and the city itself.

Last year, manager Phil Parkinson said the presence of Reynolds and McElhenney at the club had helped lift the whole atmosphere around the place, underlining the impact they have had both on and off the pitch.