Entertainment
A ‘beauty’ of a show at the Torch!
IT’S that time of year again … Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, is delighted to bring you its festive pantomime Beauty and The Beast this Christmas. A tale as old as pantomime with a twist in the tail, the story is inspired by the classic French fairy tale.
This ‘beauty’ of a show, written and directed by Artistic Director Chelsey Gillard, features an extraordinarily talented cast, loads of audience participation and brand-new songs that are sure to have you singing along and splitting your sides with laughter.
And talking of cast members …. Would you like to know who appears in our panto? Shout louder! Was that a yeah?! This week the Torch Theatre shares with you its amazing, glittering, spectacular cast members who will take your family on a wonderful fun adventure.
First up is Amelia Ryan who plays Crystal the Butler. Having trained at the University of Wales Trinity St David’s and the California State University Fullerton, she has, since graduating, worked with the Torch Theatre on an R&D project ‘Nest.’ She has also appeared in the Money Monster student finance Wales commercial, Public Health Wales advertisement and has voiced for Funky Pigeon and Hodge Bank. This will be Amelia’s third Christmas at the Torch and she is “so pleased to be back once again.”
Next up is Ceri Ashe as the Evil Fairy Shadowmist, a Pembrokeshire born actor and writer with her own theatre company Popty Ping Productions. Her on screen credits include Niamh in the Pilot of Class, Ros in Gwaith/Cartref – Series 6 for Fiction Factory / S4C and Claire in Ridley Scott Associates’ Pull Up Pilot. Ceri also plays the Detective in the Feature Film Scam.
Our next introduction is Ceri Mears. Originally from Llanelli, Ceri plays the part of the Good Fairy Gertrude, our Dame. He trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and drama and has appeared on Stella, CBBC’s The 4 O’Clock Club, Being Human and BBC’s Torchwood opposite John Barrowman to name but a few. He has also featured in various commercials including Vodaphone, Network Rail and Pot Noodle and is a dab hand on the guitar, bass guitar and drums.
Fluent Welsh speaker, actress Leilah Hughes is a mezzo soprano and her skills include ballet and modern dance. Leilah plays Belle. She has appeared on Pobol y Cwm and Gwaith Cartref on S4C as well as appearing in Truth and Dare with Theatr Clwyd and Anthem for the Wales Millennium Centre.
Our next actor needs no introduction – Pembrokeshire’s Samuel Freeman plays the Beast. Samuel was born and raised in Milford Haven and attended the Torch Youth Theatre as a child. The actor, musician and composer recently appeared on stage at the Torch in the Jabberwocky and Other Nonsense (Calf 2 Cow).
Samuel said: “So naturally, I am ecstatic to be working at the Torch again this Christmas in Beauty and the Beast. It promises to be full of all the laughter, music, and fun you expect from panto and more! I heard the beast is quite dashing under all that fur and makeup too…”
Joining the Torch as our Swing – an understudy for the roles of Belle, Evil Fairy, Butler and Belle’s Father (as Mother) is local actor Freya Dare. Freya is a community dance/drama artist in Pembrokeshire and runs her own Theatre Company Forest Fairies and Friends Theatre. Her television and film credits include Baker Boys (BBC), Red Haven (feature film), TUI commercial, BT commercial and OXO commercial. She is looking forward to being a part of the Torch Theatre Pantomime this year.
And last but not least is again another native of Pembrokeshire Lloyd Grayshon who plays Belle’s Father. An actor and film creator he is no stranger to being on the Torch stage. You may have seen him in a few Torch productions; A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Mappa Mundi/Torch Theatre production) Aladdin (Torch Theatre) and Brief Encounter (Torch Theatre). Lloyd was also delighted when asked to be the Musical Director/Band leader in the Torch Theatre production of One Man Two Governors. He said: “I’m extremely pleased to be returning to the Torch again this Christmas and can’t wait to work with Chelsey for the first time.”
Beauty and the Beast will magically make its way to the Torch Theatre stage from Friday 15 December to Sunday 31 December. Relaxed Environment Performance – Saturday 16th December @ 2pm and BSL Interpreted Performance – Tuesday 19th December @ 6pm.
Note: Torch members get 25% off up to four tickets purchased for Beauty and the Beast.
Usual tickets are £22.50 | £19.00 CONS | £70.00 FAMILY. Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office at the Torch Theatre on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

Entertainment
Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod
HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.
Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.
She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.
Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.
Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.
Caption:
Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
Entertainment
Harbour Fest to bring music, food and maritime magic to Milford Waterfront
Free family festival will celebrate Milford Haven’s seafaring history and coastal community
MILFORD WATERFRONT will burst into life on Saturday, June 27, as the first Harbour Fest sails into town for a day of music, food, family fun and maritime celebration.
The free event will run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Mackerel Quay and across the waterfront, bringing together local traders, live entertainment, coastal organisations and independent businesses for a packed day beside the water.
Organisers say the festival will celebrate everything that makes Milford Haven special, from its seafaring history and working harbour to its growing reputation as a destination for food, shopping, culture and family days out.
Visitors will be able to browse stalls from local makers and producers, enjoy street food and live performances, and explore a Marine Zone featuring organisations involved in sea safety, marine conservation and coastal life.
The Marine Zone will include Seagrass Network Cymru / Project Seagrass, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, NCI Wooltack Point, Rudders Marine Training, RNLI Milford Haven and RNLI Angle Lifeboat.
RNLI Angle Lifeboat is expected to be based on the Mackerel Stage, while the Sea Cadets will be giving rope-tying displays at Milford Haven Museum, where craft activities will also be taking place.
Live entertainment will run throughout the day, with performances from Tom & Abz, Will Scott, Ryan Bristow, Milford Haven Town Band, Kyle Kirkhouse and ShantyJacs Sea Shanties.
Businesses across the waterfront are also joining in. All Pets Vet Care will hold a family-friendly open day with a bouncy castle, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Aurora Artisan Crafts will host vocal performances, Biffy’s Bar & Restaurant will feature solo acoustic music from Laurence Lewis, and Martha’s Vineyard will offer seafood street food with live music from Ryan Bristow and Steve Bartram.
At Tŷ Milford Waterfront’s outdoor plaza there will be face painting, children’s activities, pop-up artists and an afternoon DJ set, while Phoenix Bowl and Pirate Pete’s Adventure Play will have inflatables and glitter tattoos outside.
The Waterfront Gallery will host introduction to felt-making workshops with textile artist Carole Fletcher, giving participants the chance to create a woollen felt flower pin brooch or phone/glasses case. The workshops start at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm and cost £5 per person.
A wide range of traders will also be attending, including 5th Flock Spirits Co, Cinnamon Grove Distillery, Cwm Deri Wines & Liqueurs, Ferncraft, Get Loaded, J.J. Pottery, Major Nuts, Orange Garden Design, Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm, Pembrokeshire Gold, Pembrokeshire Lottery, Plumstone Welshcakes and SlateArtSJ.
With music drifting across the marina, food stalls lining the waterfront and lifeboats, sea safety teams and coastal groups adding a strong maritime flavour, Harbour Fest is expected to bring a lively summer atmosphere to one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known waterside destinations.
Organisers say the event is suitable for families, friends and visitors of all ages, with plenty to see and do throughout the day.
Photo caption: Harbour Fest will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, June 27 (Pic: Milford Waterfront).
Entertainment
Filming begins on new Welsh BBC comedy starring Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs
A HEARTWARMING new Welsh BBC comedy co-written by Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs has started filming in South Wales.
Better Later, a six-part series for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC One Wales, will explore the unexpected joys of an unlikely friendship.
The comedy stars Jones and Speirs as two people who meet at a knee trauma clinic. Retired teacher Clive, played by Speirs, is 60, widowed and facing a new chapter in life. Shelley Anne, played by Jones, is a 55-year-old environmental health officer going through a bitter divorce.
The series is being filmed in and around South Wales, including the Brecon Beacons, and is set in the fictional village of Brynfach.
Ruth Jones said: “In a funny way this show has been 35 years in the making, which is when I first met Steve. It’s not that we’re slow writers, it’s just that we’ve been up to other things. It’s fantastic to be back in front of the camera with him again.”
Steve Speirs said: “Our first time acting together for quite a long time. Ruth makes me laugh more than anyone and I’m a terrible giggler. This could be a long shoot.”
Better Later has been commissioned by BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Comedy and is being made by Tidy Productions in association with BBC Studios Comedy, with support from Creative Wales.
The series was commissioned by Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning at BBC Cymru Wales, and Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC. The commissioning editors are Emma Lawson and Paul Forde.
Executive producers are Sarah Fraser for Tidy Productions and Josh Cole for BBC Studios Comedy. The producer is Owen Bell and the director is Simon Massey.
Transmission details will be announced in due course.
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