FORMER Haverfordwest RFC and Scarlets prop Holly Mayhew has traded the muddy rugby pitch for the bright lights of the Torch Theatre, taking on the lead role in this year’s festive pantomime, Rapunzel, in Milford Haven.

Holly, who has just completed her BA professional acting course at Drama Studio London, is returning to familiar ground. She began her performing journey at the Torch Youth Theatre before progressing to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Young Actors Studio. This production will be her first professional pantomime role.

“I’m actually quite similar to Rapunzel,” Holly said. “She’s got a mind of her own — she’s bouncy, bubbly, and definitely not the traditional princess people expect. When I got the email offering me the part, I couldn’t believe it. Chesley Gillard, our Artistic Director, has created such a fun and refreshing version of the story, and I think audiences will really fall in love with her.”

In this Pembrokeshire retelling, Rapunzel is tucked away in a lighthouse overlooking the coast, waiting for her life to begin. Holly says families can expect a lively mix of songs, slapstick, silliness, and plenty of audience participation.

“We want everyone to be loud — especially when we ask them to boo and hiss,” she added. “I can’t wait to see the little faces in the audience light up. That’s what Christmas theatre is all about.”

Rapunzel runs at the Torch Theatre from Saturday 6 December to Sunday 28 December.
Tickets cost £24.50, with concessions at £20 and a family ticket at £78.
A Relaxed Environment performance takes place on Saturday 13 December at 2:00pm, and a BSL-interpreted performance (Liz May) will be held on Tuesday 16 December at 6:00pm.

Rapunzel takes to the waves in a Pembrokeshire twist on a classic tale

REPORTS are coming in of a multi-agency rescue operation six miles off the coast of Milford Haven — led, of course, by indomitable local hairdresser Dame Belinda Beehive.

The mission? Nothing less than saving Neyland’s head-turning stunner, Rapunzel, who this year finds herself stranded at the top of a 200-foot lighthouse rather than a tower. The Herald understands that alongside appalling sea conditions, rescuers are also contending with an unidentifiable sea monster determined to make off with their belongings.

It can only mean one thing: pantomime season has arrived at the Torch Theatre.

The Milford Haven venue’s festive production of Rapunzel, running from December 6 to December 28, promises to be one of its most ambitious and imaginative pantomimes to date.

“Yes, it’s an interesting one,” laughs writer and artistic director Chelsey Gillard, the driving force behind this year’s show. “People are starting to look for different titles and slightly more unusual fairy tales. Following on from last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, I wanted something a bit more ‘princessy’ — but still very Pembrokeshire.”

Given the Torch’s clifftop location, Chelsey leaned straight into a maritime twist. “So instead of a tower, Rapunzel is stuck in a lighthouse somewhere off the coast of Milford Haven,” she says.

Rapunzel is played by Neyland’s Holly Mayhew, a recent graduate of Drama Studio London. Her long-lost mother — Dame Belinda Beehive — is brought to life by Lloyd Grayshon, while mischievous puffin Zephyr is played by Freya Dare. They are joined by the occasional shark, an assorted school of fish, and a host of friendly sea creatures played by members of the Torch Youth Theatre.

But while the setting may be new, Chelsey says the heart of pantomime remains firmly intact.

“It’s a slightly unusual story, but it’s still got all the essentials: a dame, slapstick routines, loads of songs, silly dances, and all the audience interaction that creates the magic of a pantomime. People’s expectations are huge — this is the main theatrical event of the year — so we have to pour everything into it.”

Chelsey admits that responsibility weighs heavily, but her love for panto keeps her motivated.

“I’ve always adored panto. As a child I’d look forward to it every year with my school or with my mum and dad. It was a huge thing for me — and I want our audiences to feel that same excitement.”

This year’s production also comes as something of a relief after Chelsey’s recent turn into darker territory with October’s gothic The Turn of the Screw.

“That was a much more serious piece,” she says. “So the thought of being silly for a few weeks is exactly what I need!”

Rehearsals are now entering their second week ahead of the first school performance on November 26. With just three weeks to pull everything together, Chelsey says she is supported by a formidable creative team, including designer Kevin Jenkins and workshop manager Sam Wordsworth.

“All the sets are built on site here at the Torch — which is really rare these days. Thanks to the team’s skill, the designs were finished back in May. A panto takes a good twelve months of planning before opening night.”

Even so, Chelsey admits to nerves during the first script read-through.

“You always wonder whether the jokes will land and if the cast will get your humour. And audiences here in Pembrokeshire are not shy about telling you what they think!”

But now that rehearsals are in full swing, she says the joy of the process has returned.

“I’m lucky to do a job I love so much. And once the show is up and running, I get to step back and enjoy what this brilliant cast has created.”

Rapunzel runs from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, December 28.
Tickets: £24.50 | £20 concessions | £78 family.
Relaxed performance: Saturday, December 13 at 2:00pm.
BSL interpreted performance: Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00pm (interpreter: Liz May).

For full details, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

A POPULAR psychic and wellbeing fayre is set to return to Tenby next month, bringing a full day of readings, healing, crafts and Christmas magic to the town centre.

The event, hosted by QueenBee Events, will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the De Valence Pavilion on Upper Frog Street.

Mind, body and soul

Organisers say the fayre is designed to offer “enlightenment for the mind, body and soul”, with a wide range of stalls and services on offer throughout the day. Visitors can expect mediumship readings, tarot readings, reiki, spiritual healing, and an assortment of local craft stalls.

A spokesperson for the event said the day aims to provide “a welcoming space for reflection, guidance and festive wellbeing” as the Christmas season approaches.

Festive fun for families

Younger visitors will also have an added attraction, with Santa’s Grotto running alongside the fayre for £2 per child. Admission to the main event costs £1.

The popular annual gathering has become a fixture of Tenby’s December calendar, drawing residents and visitors keen to explore spiritual and holistic practices.

Further information is available by emailing: [email protected].