Birds of prey and cannon fire at Laugharne Castle headline west Wales programme

FAMILIES across Pembrokeshire and beyond are in for a treat this May half term, as heritage body Cadw launches a packed calendar of family-friendly events at historic sites throughout Wales.

Running from Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2, the events aim to bring Welsh history vividly to life through immersive workshops, live reenactments, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Among the highlights in west Wales is a Naval Living History Weekend at Laugharne Castle on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Visitors can meet the Welsh sailors of Nelson’s Navy, with interactive displays and cannon firing at midday each day.

Also at Laugharne Castle, Birds of Prey will swoop into action across the bank holiday weekend, with expert falconers offering flying displays and educational talks on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Cadw’s Head, Gwilym Hughes, said the events were designed to entertain and educate:
“Our lively schedule of events across May half term will hopefully inspire pride in Welsh heritage, spark curiosity and offer fun for all ages. It’s an opportunity for families to get out and learn about the rich history that makes Wales so unique.”

More than 20 events are planned across Wales during the school break. Cadw membership provides free entry to all events and unlimited access to 132 historic sites across the country. Children go free with any adult membership.

Other Cadw sites, including Valle Crucis Abbey, Castell Cilgerran, and Bryn Celli Ddu burial chamber, will be open for guided tours during the summer.

For the full schedule of events, visit: https://cadw.gov.wales

A POWERFUL and heartfelt new stage production exploring the impact of Banksy’s surprise mural in Port Talbot is set to appear at the Torch Theatre this month.

Port Talbot’s Gotta Banksy is a Sherman Theatre and Theatr3 co-production that celebrates street art, people power, and the enduring spirit of communities under pressure. The play delves into the story behind the mysterious appearance of Banksy’s Season’s Greetings mural in December 2018, which was painted on the garage of a local steelworker and sparked international media attention.

Six years later, with Port Talbot once again making headlines—this time for the closure of its iconic blast furnaces—the play revisits the town through the voices of its people. The script, created by writers and Theatr3 Artistic Directors Paul Jenkins and Tracy Harris, is built from over 100 hours of interviews with local residents conducted over six years. These authentic accounts are fed live to the cast via earpieces, creating a unique and moving theatrical experience.

Director Paul Jenkins said: “This is the first time the story of a Banksy’s impact on a community has been told on stage. The voices we’ve captured reflect anger, resilience, and a great deal of humour. It’s been an extraordinary process.”

Julia Barry, Chief Executive of Sherman Theatre, added: “This is truly a South Wales story with global resonance. Port Talbot’s artistic and industrial heritage makes this tale one that deserves to be heard.”

The cast includes Jalisa Andrews, Matthew Bulgo, Holly Carpenter, Ioan Hefin, Simon Nehan, and Kerry Joy Stewart.

Port Talbot’s Gotta Banksy will be performed at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 20 May at 7:30pm. Tickets are £22, with concessions at £20 and under-26s at £15. For further details, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

A BRAND-NEW production of Wagner’s Die Walküre, presented by The Royal Opera and Ballet, will be screened live at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, this May as part of the venue’s acclaimed cinema season.

Directed by visionary opera director Barrie Kosky and conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano, this dark and emotionally charged staging forms the second chapter of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, following Das Rheingold which premiered in 2023.

Sung in German with English subtitles, Die Walküre immerses audiences in a mythological world of gods and mortals, forbidden love, and tragic destiny. On a stormy night, two strangers are drawn together by fate, igniting a love so powerful it could destroy worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, Wotan (Christopher Maltman) faces off against his defiant daughter, Brünnhilde (Elisabet Strid), in a struggle that threatens to tear apart the heavens.

The production promises to be a visual spectacle, with haunting set designs by Rufus Didwiszus, evocative costumes by Victoria Behr, and atmospheric lighting from Alessandro Carletti.

Writing for The Guardian, critic Erica Jeal praised the production’s bold staging: “Victoria Behr’s costumes suggest a non-specific here and now, although Siegmund’s blue top and yellow hoodie hint at Ukraine. Rufus Didwiszus’s sets are dark and bleak… the feral Valkyries collect charred corpses which disintegrate into ash. Finally, every Walküre needs a good Magic Fire at the end – and this one doesn’t disappoint.” The production was awarded four stars.

The live screening of Die Walküre takes place at 2:00pm on Sunday 18 May at the Torch Theatre. Tickets are priced at £20 (£18 concessions) and £9 for under 26s.

For more information or to book, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.