SEVERAL long-serving members of Torch Youth Theatre are preparing to take their final bows with the company this summer, as they head off to university, college and new careers.

The Torch Theatre’s summer youth production, Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight, may be the last chance for audiences to see Callie-May, Neo, Dan, Zane and Caitlyn performing together as part of the young company.

The group have become familiar faces to Torch audiences through productions including the NT Connections plays Replica, Ravers and Sycamore Gap, as well as The Bangers and Chips Explosion and The Wind in the Willows.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager Youth and Community at the Torch, said he would be sad to see them go, but proud of what they had achieved.

He said: “We are incredibly proud of what these young people have achieved. They have blossomed into remarkable adults, ready to take on the next stage of their journey beyond our rehearsal room.

“They are confident, ambitious and creative individuals, and we have no doubt that wherever their paths lead, they will succeed.”

Callie-May, 18, who played the Chief Weasel in last year’s The Wind in the Willows, returns this summer as the equally villainous Queen Eleanor in Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight.

She has recently qualified as a Level 3 hairdresser, but hopes to work in theatre and film hair and make-up.

She said: “The friendships and connections I have with the group will be something I will forever look back on. It’s definitely shown me my love for design and creating, and within the past year it has shown me that I want a career within theatre.

“Tim has definitely been a major influence in my career and life path. He’s helped me find my dream path.”

Neo, 17, who will play Robin Hood, is heading to university to study forensic science, but says the stage will remain a huge part of his life.

He said: “Going to Aberystwyth to take part in the NT Connections programme has to be one of the best experiences.

“I want to continue doing drama as Torch Youth Theatre feels like family. It’s inclusive, fun, freeing, happy and interesting.”

Caitlyn hopes to study drama at college before eventually moving on to Cardiff Theatre, with the aim of working in television.

She said: “I get a real sense of joy from performing, so I know I want to continue with it and try to make a career as an actress.

“I really like the social element of it, and meeting new people.”

Zane, who plays Friar Tuck in Robin Hood and previously played Mrs Gunge in The Bangers and Chips Explosion, is heading to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to study Applied Theatre.

He said one of his favourite memories was playing Mrs Gunge, “the child-hating, grotesque, head dinner lady”.

He added: “During Milford Haven Carnival, I got to take part on Torch Theatre’s float, dressed as Mrs Gunge and wielding a meat cleaver.

“If I hadn’t gone to Torch Youth Theatre, I probably wouldn’t have even considered a career within the arts. The opportunity to perform in one of the only producing theatres in Pembrokeshire, and one of the few in Wales, has been a great experience.”

Dan, who will play Little John, has also appeared as Toad and Hairy Harry, and is currently auditioning for some of the country’s leading drama schools.

He said: “Being a Torch Youth Theatre member has inspired my career. It has encouraged me to pursue acting because I could see my skills improving.”

Dan said Robin Hood should not be missed, adding: “It’s written by Tim, who wrote The Bangers and Chips Explosion, which was an amazing production. We have a lot of experience in these shows now, so we know it will be the best it can be.”

Tim added: “It’s going to be quite an emotional set of shows, a series of lasts for these members of our cast.

“Some of these young people have been with the Torch for a long time. But what an amazing set of memories we are making for them, and the friendships they forge here will be some that we know they have for life, just like Robin Hood’s gang.”

Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight is supported by the Port of Milford Haven and the Ingles Charitable Trust.

Performances take place at the Torch Theatre on Monday, July 20, Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30pm.

Tickets are £10, or £8 concessions. Book via torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

ORGANISERS of a country music festival held in Carmarthen have thanked visitors for their support while admitting that parts of the event “did not go exactly as planned”.

This Ain’t Texas Festival took place at the United Counties Showground on Saturday (Jun 27), promising live country music, line dancing, American BBQ, street food, western-themed stalls and family-friendly entertainment.

The event was part of a UK-wide tour, with the Carmarthen date promoted as a Nashville-style day out for families and country music fans.

But after the event, a number of attendees took to social media to raise concerns about queues, parking, food options and the overall organisation of the day.

In a statement posted online, organisers said: “Thank you, Carmarthen. What a day.

“Firstly, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out and made this event so special. The support, energy, and positive feedback we’ve received across the country has been incredible, and we’re truly grateful for every single one of you.

“That said, we also know that not everything went exactly as planned. We’ve received some constructive feedback from attendees, and we want you to know that we’ve listened carefully.”

Some visitors said they had enjoyed the atmosphere, music and line dancing, while others said the event had fallen short of expectations.

One attendee said the day had been “very disappointing” after booking early-bird tickets and looking forward to the festival for months.

Another visitor said the bar queue was long, adding that they had queued for more than an hour, although they still felt the ticket price had been good value.

Others called for more food choice, including vegetarian options, and said parking and space on site would need to be reviewed if the event returned on a larger scale.

There was also praise for the local line dancing element, with one attendee saying it had “definitely added to the experience”.

The festival had been advertised as a one-day country and western-themed event, with live tribute acts, dancing, food, drink, stalls and activities.

Teams are being urged to get their carts ready as Fishguard Round Table brings back one of the town’s most popular community events

FISGHUARD is gearing up for one of its most colourful community events as the Fishguard Soapbox Derby returns on Saturday, June 27.

The event, organised by Fishguard Round Table, will get underway from midday and promises a day of speed, creativity, family fun and community spirit.

Teams are being encouraged to build their own soapbox carts and take part, with organisers hoping this year’s event will be the biggest and best yet.

The derby brings together racers, families, spectators and local supporters for a fun-filled day in the town, with prizes, food, stalls and entertainment also planned.

Organisers say the event is all about “speed, creativity and community”, giving teams the chance to show off their designs while spectators enjoy the action from the roadside.

The event poster promises “fun family action” and urges people to “race it, build it, watch it, love it”.

Fishguard Round Table, which supports community causes through its fundraising and events, is encouraging people to come along, support the racers and enjoy a full afternoon out.

Entries are currently open, with teams urged to get together and prepare their carts ahead of race day.