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Entertainment

Royal Ballet and Opera Cinema Season at the Torch Theatre

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WITH beloved classics including Cinderella, The Nutcracker and Turandot and new opera productions of The Tales of Hoffmann and Die Walküre, Royal Ballet and Opera fans will be delighted with the array of cinema screenings here at the Torch Theatre during 2024 and 2025.

Bringing the thrill of world-class theatre to our cinema screen here in Pembrokeshire and offering audiences a view from the best seat in the house, the exciting programme shares the joy of live performance, and the beauty of world-class art,

Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, said: “This Season we’re thrilled to share three dynamic Company classics with our cinema audiences: the riotously inventive Alices Adventures in Wonderland by Christopher Wheeldon; Frederick Ashton’s magical fairytale Cinderella; and Kenneth MacMillan’s searing dramatic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Christopher Wheeldon’s Ballet to Broadway will be another opportunity to watch the versatility and energy of our dancers up close, and for Christmas we have a special 40th anniversary screening of The Nutcracker which is sure to delight. We can’t wait to share these cinema moments with you.”

Director of Opera, The Royal Opera, Oliver Mears, added: “Opera is perhaps the most visceral and emotionally-charged artform, and I am so glad that our cinema audiences will be able to experience our work with us, particularly with three live opera broadcasts. With an extraordinary group of cast and creatives behind each show, it is going to be fantastic.”

The opera season is already in full swing and on Tuesday 22 October you can see Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, followed by the family friendly Wolf Witch Giant Fairy on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November. Going into December, be amazed by the spectacular showing of Cinderella on the 10 December with a firm Christmas favourite of The Nutcracker on Sunday 22 December.

The new year sees a new production as Olivier award-winning director Damiano Michieletto returns to The Royal Opera for Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. Juan Diego Flórez sings the role of the poet E.T.A Hoffmann and Olga Pudova, Marina Costa-Jackson and Ermonela Jaho sing the roles of his unforgettable trio of lovers. Filmed live on stage in November 2024, The Tales of Hoffmann will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 21 January.

Swan Lake takes us into February while Puccini’s final opera, Turandot, will be broadcast live at the Torch on Tuesday 1 April. Drawing on Chinese and Italian theatrical tradition to evoke a richly imagined, mythical Peking, Andrei Şerban’s dazzling production is one of the most spectacular in The Royal Opera’s repertory. Rafael Payare conducts, Sondra Radvanovsky sings the title role.

Following the glittering triumph of Das Rheingold, Barrie Kosky delves back into Wagner’s mythic universe with the second instalment of the Ring cycle, Die Walküre. With Antonio Pappano leading from the podium, Christopher Maltman reprises the role of Wotan, alongside Elisabet Strid (Brünnhilde), Lise Davidsen (Sieglinde), and Stanislas de Barbeyrac (Siegmund) on Sunday 18 May.

Ballet to Broadway – Wheeldon Works on Wednesday 28 May brings the Torch Theatre’s 2024/25 opera season to an end.

To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk. Buy any five titles from the Royal Ballet & Opera or MET Opera 24/25 season, get the fifth title half price,

Entertainment

Unearthed Festival 2025: Headliners announced for 10th anniversary celebration

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THE UNEARTHED FESTICAL is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style, with headline performances from Macka B, Natty, and Ozric Tentacles.

Adding to the excitement, Marcus Gad is anticipated to join the lineup, though this awaits final confirmation, as stated in a recent newsletter to the festival’s mailing list.

The much-loved festival, renowned for its vibrant blend of music and arts, is gearing up for its milestone year. Organisers are urging festival-goers to secure their spots early, as campervan spaces, dog passes, and parking permits are in limited supply.

Early bird tickets for Unearthed 2025 sold out in record time, a testament to the festival’s enduring popularity among its dedicated fan base.

In a statement to attendees, the festival team said: “These epic artists are Unearthed icons, and as it’s our 10th anniversary festival, we couldn’t imagine celebrating without them.”

To mark the occasion, a redesigned festival website was unveiled last Friday, alongside the opening of applications for performers, volunteers, traders, and other contributors. The team encourages prompt submissions to ensure a chance to participate in this landmark event.

Adding to the festive spirit, organisers have also extended an invitation to their New Year’s Eve party—a warm-up to the main event next summer.

The Unearthed Festival has built a reputation over the past decade for delivering a unique community experience, blending diverse music, art, and culture in a way that resonates deeply with attendees.

As part of the broader summer festival scene, Unearthed continues to stand out as a celebration of creativity and connection, promising another unforgettable year in 2025.

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Entertainment

Does Deal or No Deal need to attract more Welsh players?

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Grey Metal Briefcase

With ITV’s reboot of Deal or No Deal now in full swing, fans have noticed that some of the most exciting moments have involved Welsh contestants. With viewers highlighting the charm and entertainment value of Welsh players, we’ve discussed why the hit game show could benefit from getting more locals involved.

The popularity of Deal or No Deal

The initial run of the UK’s Deal or No Deal was broadcast on Channel 4 between 2005 and 2016 before quietly being axed. In 2023, a new revival returned to ITV with a slightly altered format. With viewers flocking to the series in droves, the broadcaster was quick to renew the show for another season this year.

As the game is entirely luck-based, it has made it a great source of inspiration for online gambling games. This includes multiple online slots and even live dealer game shows with Deal or No Deal branding. These are featured at several quality sites that offer UK casino bonuses to new players in Wales, including 888Casino. Until the Welsh get more representation on the show, this is one of the best ways for players to experience being a contestant.

Welshman centre of memorable episode

During the early weeks of the series’ revival in 2023, an episode featuring Portsmouth-based Welsh player Simon inspired a passionate response from viewers after he played a comically bad game. Simon was adamant that his case contained £100,000, only to watch his chances at fortune slowly dwindle.

His confidence ultimately saw him make poor decisions after poor decisions, turning down strong offers and even inspiring viewers to back the Banker in frustration. The game culminated with Simon opening his case to win 10p. Despite his poor efforts, the episode generated widespread online conversations, leading us to believe that more Welsh players deserve a go at the jackpot.

The case for more Welsh players

After Simon’s disastrous performance, it seems fair that another Welsh player is invited along to do their country proud. In the final episode of the series’ ITV broadcast in 2023, Welsh player Jamie Foulkes from Cefn Mawr became an audience favourite after displaying the natural charming and quick wit characteristic of our locals.

His gameplay saw him nicknamed “mystic Jamie” for his ability to correctly guess case amounts, and after an extended moment of consideration, accepted a life-changing Banker’s offer of £14,850. This is a considerable amount when considering the top prize in the relaunched edition is £100,000 rather than the previous £250,000 offered.

The revival series is produced in Salford’s Media City complex, making it only a short drive away from residents in Northern Wales. This was one of the reasons that Foulkes applied for the show, so there’s no reason why more Welsh players couldn’t be selected.

Welsh players bring something special

Whether it’s the captivating yet frustrating performance of Simon or the charming run of Jamie Foulkes, Welsh players have already made a splash on the revived series of Deal or No Deal. We hope that the future season will showcase more local players to display our unique charms across the UK.

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Entertainment

River-themed lanterns light up Cardigan in spectacular parade

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THOUSANDS of people flocked to Cardigan on Monday (Dec 18) for the much-anticipated Giant Lantern Parade, hosted by Small World Theatre. Originally scheduled for Dec 6, the event was postponed due to Storm Darragh but proved to be a dazzling highlight of the festive season in Ceredigion.

The parade, inspired by the River Teifi, received financial support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Cynnal y Cardi Community Fund, administered by Ceredigion County Council. The festivities drew crowds from near and far, with Cardigan’s mayor, Cllr Olwen Davies, among those in attendance.

Leading the procession were the vibrant beats of Pembrokeshire-based Samba Doc and stunning giant feature lanterns. The parade snaked through the town and down to the quayside, where thousands of spectators enjoyed the spectacle. Larger-than-life lantern creatures crafted by pupils of Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi and pyramid lantern displays created by pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi, Ysgol Llechryd, Cardigan youth groups, and the public added to the event’s charm.

This year, Cardigan is also hosting a Festival of Light, offering a series of festive attractions. In addition to the Lantern Parade, Small World Theatre has curated a Light Trail that runs from 4:30pm to 9:00pm daily, showcasing illuminated lanterns on buildings, creative light displays, and artworks throughout the town. Local independent cafes, shops, and galleries have joined in the festive spirit, decorating their windows to welcome visitors until Christmas.

Cllr Clive Davies expressed his excitement about the festivities:
“We’re delighted to have so many brilliant events happening in Cardigan, and the Giant Lantern Parade is exceptional. Congratulations to Small World Theatre and the community.”

Ann Shrobree, Director of Small World Theatre, thanked everyone involved:
“Thanks to everyone who helped—Ceredigion County Council, Cardigan Town Council, marshals from Cardigan Show and Barley Saturday Committees, Cardigan Castle, and our brilliant volunteers and first aiders. Samba Doc, fire juggling performers, and so many more came together to create a very special event for all.”

This year’s Lantern Parade has cemented its place as a cherished tradition, lighting up Cardigan and spreading festive joy across the community.

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