AS the Torch Theatre prepares for its festive pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk this December, your help is very much needed. Somewhere in Cloudland, deep in the heart of the Giant’s castle is a very special room – filled with beautiful golden objects. These glittering objects are priceless, covered in the most spectacular patterns, and decorated with jewels.

However, these treasures don’t belong to the Giant they belong to everyone here on earth, and Jack wants them returned!

But what on earth are these objects, what shape are they, what are they made of? We need your young people to think about things that are precious to them and design a spectacular special object for Jack to rescue from the Giant!

“We were so delighted by last year’s wonderful ball gown design for Beauty and the Beast that we thought we’d set another challenge for young people across our county! So here it is – silly or sensible, we want to see all the ideas you have for a special object in the giant’s room – could it be a golden toilet brush? A diamond covered X-Box? Or is it an emerald hairdryer? It’s up to you to imagine…,” explained Tim Howe, Torch Theatre’s Senior Manager for Youth and Community.

Tim added: “The design pictures could be in any format. They could be made of a collage of images and textures, cutouts from magazines, strips of material, created on the computer or they could be hand drawn – let the young people’s imaginations run wild. And don’t forget to put a quick description of what your design is on the back, we don’t want any X-boxes being mistaken for toilet brushes!”

There are three age categories: Under 5s, 5 – 10 and 11 – 18. A winner will be chosen from each category, and an overall winner will see their design being made into an actual object in the pantomime. All the designs will be displayed in the Torch Theatre’s Joanna Field Gallery during December for all to see. 

The deadline for entries is Friday 4 October 2024.

All images should be on an A4 piece of paper and no bigger and include the following information on the back: the name of the designer, school / college they attend, a brief description of what their object is, and contact details for someone over 18.

Entries should be sent to: The Giant’s Treasure Room, Torch Theatre, St Peter’s Rd, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 2BU Alternatively, bring them to the Torch Theatre Box Office.

Only a few tickets remain for what promises to be an unforgettable evening as Flamingo Bingo returns to The Hangar in Milford Haven on 24th August. Gone are the days when bingo was solely the preserve of grandmas in quiet social clubs – this event is set to deliver an electrifying experience complete with smoke machines, music, and confetti cannons.

As attendees arrive at The Hangar, the air will be thick with anticipation. The venue will be filled with a diverse crowd, all eager to immerse themselves in the night’s festivities. With bingo books in hand, guests will grab reasonably priced drinks and head to their tables, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.

The games will follow the classic bingo format, consisting of five rounds, each offering two opportunities to win – either with a full line or the first full house. While the fast-paced nature of the game demands concentration, the entertainment never wavers, thanks to the intermittent dance breaks.

Armed with dabbers, attendees will be primed for a night of fun. The fast-paced action will quickly become a whirlwind of excitement, made even more memorable by the shower of confetti falling from the ceiling. Although keeping track may become challenging after a few drinks, the exhilarating experience will undoubtedly be worth it.

In stark contrast to the stereotypical image of quiet bingo halls, this event injects music into the game. Classic tunes like Mousse T’s “Horny” will blast through the venue, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. Each time the number 69 is called, the crowd will erupt into dance, bringing The Hangar alive with smiles and infectious energy.

Throughout the night, unexpected moments and false calls will add a delightful element of unpredictability to the proceedings. Attendees will have the chance to win quirky prizes, including a Henry Hoover. The marathon-like bingo experience is set to be a night to remember, filled with laughter, dancing, and the thrill of winning unique prizes – who wouldn’t want to take home a Henry Hoover late at night?

The Hangar in Milford Haven is poised to host a Flamingo Bingo event that will offer an electrifying and entertaining twist on the traditional game. Prepare yourself for an evening of music, dancing, and the opportunity to win some truly one-of-a-kind prizes.

Grab tickets here: https://fatso.ma/ZRV5

MANIC Street Preachers bass guitarist Nicky Wire is showing off his other artistic talents this autumn following the opening of his ‘My Little Empire’ exhibition at Narberth Museum.

The exhibition features 26 pieces, each showcasing Wire’s long-lasting love affair with the Polaroid camera.

Nicky, who has a home in Tenby, has been collecting mementos in the form of Polaroids for the past 30 years. Some he’s snapped himself, while others he’s sourced from photographers during promo sessions or whenever the four-piece band from Blackwood in south Wales were on tour.

In previous interviews, Wire explained that his Polaroid habit stems back to his childhood, when his parents allowed him and his older brother, Patrick, to take photographs during birthdays, holidays and Christmas celebrations.

The current exhibition features 26 new works and includes works depicting Richard Burton, RS Thomas, Jean Paul Basquiat, Albert Camus, Marilyn Monroe, and Derek Jarman, among others. There are also several self-portraits in the collection.

Polaroid images are once again gaining in popularity. Not only are they instantly visible in physical print, but they are also very difficult to fake, As a result, many businesses continue to use them for accident investigation purposes. Polaroid photographs also have a distinct, nostalgic look with their soft, muted colours and an imperfect quality that stands in contrast to the clinical perfection of some contemporary digital images.

The exhibition is being organised and guest-curated by Mark Lewis who previously worked with Nicky on his 2018 exhibition in Tenby.

“The exhibition came about after I contacted Nicky to say that one of his pictures was being used in the Dylan Thomas exhibition at Narberth Museum,” explained Nicky.

“He said he’d always liked Narberth and would love to show his work there and so we chatted, and arranged it to open between tour dates.

“I’m really delighted that Nicky chose to work with me again, to curate his second solo art exhibition, after the success of his first ever solo exhibition curated by me in 2018.

“His support for small independent museums in Wales is fantastic and really helps to raise their profile.”

Nicky Wire’s ‘My Little Empire’ exhibition runs until December 13.