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Entertainment

Torch Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast ‘smashes box office records’

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OH, what a panto! Oh, what a result! Torch Theatre’s 2023 pantomime Beauty and the Beast has broken Box Office records with over 6450 people coming to see it! With a new Artistic Director at the helm, its thrills and spills, giggles and gaffs are in safe hands.

Even with the cost-of-living crisis and people tightening their purse strings, the pantomime saw over 35 schools and community groups, local families as well as visitors to the county attend the family show – a pantomime that saw plenty of audience interaction and introduced more Welsh language content.

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to see Beauty and the Beast. We were overwhelmed with the number of people who came along to boo and cheer,” explained Chelsey Gillard, Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director.

Chelsey is delighted with the support from all those who attended: “It’s been such a privilege to share some festive magic at the end of a difficult year for so many. It was my first time writing and directing a panto and I can’t thank the incredible creative team and cast enough for their amazing work.

“It’s been a challenge at times, but ‘the show must go on’ meaning some of you were lucky enough to see Swing (understudy) Freya Dare step in as the Evil Fairy, Belle or even Belle’s Father! And for one very special day Lloyd Grayshon, who usually played Belle’s Father, slipped into a fabulous frock and entertained us all as the Fairy Godmother.”

This year’s pantomime included several local actors including Lloyd Grayshon from Haverfordwest and Samuel Freeman from Milford Haven.

Chelsey concluded: “It has been a pleasure to work with so many talented people from Pembrokeshire and south west Wales and to celebrate creativity across the county with our design a dress competition. I’m already looking forward to more silliness, songs and smiles in next year’s panto, Jack and the Beanstalk!”

Early bird ticket offers for the 2024 pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk are already on sale at the Torch Theatre’s Box Office until the end of January this year. Grab your tickets while you can!

Entertainment

Theatre company in mourning for costume queen matriarch, Linda Ogilvie-Davies

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Pembrokeshire theatre company FADDS has dropped the curtain on its annual post-Christmas pantomime following the death of costume matriarch Linda Ogilvie-Davies who died at Withybush Hospital on December 6.

The FADDS production company planned to open Aladdin later this month, however the production has now been postponed, as a mark of respect to Linda.

A native of Chicago, she moved to London where she worked for Jasper Conran as well as being a buyer for Harvey Nichols.

Following her move to Fishguard, she got involved with FADDS and spent the next 20 years creating costumes for all of the company’s shows.  She volunteered at the theatre as well as at the local animal welfare shop and every Christmas, she allowed the town’s Christmas tree to be plugged into her electric supply.

“Linda would help everybody and quietly waved her magic wand, helping so many people without even realising it,” said theatre member, Sharon Jenkins.

“She really was a matriarch of the FADDS theatre group.”

This was endorsed by FADDS director, Jana Davidson.

“Not only was she our costume queen but she was also our matriarch, mentor, supporter and, most importantly our friend,” she said.

“She had a way of connecting with everyone, whatever background or age and was adored by the youth.  Her no nonsense, firm but fair attitude was met with the highest respect from everyone, and she was adored by us all.

“She leaves an immeasurable hole in our FADDS family, but we know she will shine down on us always, and her legacies will continue.”

Aladdin will be the company’s 30th pantomime at Theatr Gwaun.  For information on when it will now be performed, visit FADDS Production Company on Facebook.

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Entertainment

Body slamming entertainment at the Torch Theatre!

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FROM Port Talbot to Llanelli and Porthcawl to Lampeter, the Superstars of Welsh Wrestling are on the road around the country and are getting ready to rumble! They’ll  bring their live body slamming family entertainment show to the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, for a one-night extravaganza that you won’t want to miss! 

Since its establishment in 2005, Welsh Wrestling has cemented its status as the number one wrestling promotion in Wales, running top quality wrestling shows all over the country in some of the most prestigious venues and theatres. Throughout each year the Superstars of Welsh Wrestling perform in front of several thousand fans, guaranteeing each paying customer of all ages a fun, action-packed, family night out. 

Witness the wrestling extravaganza at the Torch that’s guaranteed to get children (and adults) screaming and cheering for their favourite wrestler and making memories that last a lifetime. Pop down to the Torch and witness the glamour and chaos in this showcase of entertainment and athleticism in a memorable family night out.

The Welsh Wrestling Facebook page has information on its Wales tour with positive feedback from several audience members with one being quoted as saying:

“What a fantastic night. My two grandsons loved every minute of the show. A great show designed with families in mind. I will highly recommend this to all friends and family. Thanks for a great evening!”

Welsh Wrestling will be live at the Torch Theatre wrestling ring on Sunday 23 February at 5pm. Ticket prices: Family: £45. Adult: £15. Child: £12. For tickets phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

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Entertainment

How to choose your first computer setup 

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Choosing the right computer setup can be incredibly tricky. To help you make an informed decision, here are a few things to consider when choosing a computer setup.

Usage

Different devices offer various benefits. So, when determining which device to select, the first thing to think about is its primary function. 

Work

If you’re purchasing a computer primarily for work purposes, a device that is capable of running multiple applications concurrently whilst retaining speed and ease of use would be beneficial. If you travel for work, you also need to consider portability. 

Creative activities

If you need a computer for more creative endeavours such as video editing, music production, or graphic design, you should look at devices that can cope with the demands of editing and production software. Search for devices with a powerful CPU (central processing unit), plenty of RAM (random access memory), and significant storage capacity. 

Gaming

If gaming is your main concern, opting for something with high-performance graphics, generous RAM, fast processors, and adequate cooling capabilities would be favourable. However, if your gaming habits consist of something lighter, such as playing simple online casino games or web browser games, these additions are less essential. 

General use

If you will primarily be using your computer to facilitate day-to-day activities such as online shopping, basic streaming services, and generally browsing the web, then something simple and easy to use might be a better fit. 

Type of device: Laptop vs desktop

Laptops and desktops both have their pros and cons, but one will generally be more suitable than the other, depending on your requirements. 

Desktops 

Typically, desktop devices offer enhanced performance, more durability, better customisation, and are easier to upgrade in comparison to laptops. However, they do require more space and can be more expensive to purchase upfront. 

Laptops

Laptops on the other hand, are much more convenient, providing complete portability. They’re also generally lower in price than desktop PCs. However, laptops are limited when it comes to upgrades and may need to be replaced sooner than a desktop. 

Which is best? 

If you need something portable and convenient and aren’t using it for activities which require more power, a laptop may be a more suitable option. If you need something with more power and are looking for durability and longevity, a desktop PC might be more appropriate. 

Budget

Budget also plays a significant role in choosing your computer setup. Before making a decision, consider whether you want to spend a little more on a long-term setup or opt for something that is slightly more affordable upfront but can potentially be upgraded later down the line. 

Where to purchase a laptop or PC

There are plenty of dedicated computer shops in Wales that can lend you a hand in making the right decision for your needs. Alternatively, if you want to keep costs down, consider shopping for deals or looking for second hand devices on a site such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. 

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