GET ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style this Friday at the Giraldus Centre in Manorbier.

The community venue is hosting a lively evening of music, dancing and Irish-themed fun, with entertainment from popular local group The Slipway Ukes.

Doors open at 7:00pm on Friday (Mar 20), with free entry for all. A fully licensed bar will be open throughout the evening, serving drinks and snacks with an Irish twist.

Organisers are encouraging everyone to “unleash their inner leprechaun” and enjoy a night on the dance floor.

There is no need to book—just turn up and join in.

Donations on the night will be gratefully received in support of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

The event takes place at the Giraldus Centre, Manorbier, SA70 7TN.

Lise Davidsen leads star cast in Wagner’s epic tale of love and death in special cinema broadcast on Sunday (Mar 22)

AFTER years of anticipation, a truly unmissable event arrives in cinemas worldwide as the electrifying Lise Davidsen takes on one of the ultimate roles for dramatic soprano – the Irish princess Isolde – in Wagner’s transcendent meditation on love and death, Tristan und Isolde.

Heroic tenor Michael Spyres stars opposite Davidsen as the love-struck Tristan in what promises to be a powerful and emotionally charged performance.

The production also marks the arrival of a new staging at the Metropolitan Opera by Yuval Sharon, making his Met debut. Sharon has been hailed by The New York Times as “the most visionary opera director of his generation” and was the first American to direct an opera at the famous Wagner festival in Bayreuth.

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin also leads Tristan und Isolde at the Met for the first time in this landmark production.

The cast includes mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova reprising her acclaimed portrayal of Brangäne, alongside bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Kurwenal following his celebrated Met appearances in Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländerand the Ring cycle. Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green makes an important role debut as King Marke.

Reviewing the production for The Observer, Fiona Maddocks described it as a “glorious production” and “well worth catching”, adding: “This was one of those rare and blissful nights when dropped jaws silenced noisy opinion in the queue for coats afterwards.”

The recorded broadcast of Tristan und Isolde will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Sunday (Mar 22) at 4:00pm.

For further information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

ENDS

Young performers wow audiences as Sycamore Gap sells out

THREE nights of outstanding performances from the Torch Youth Theatre culminated in a sell-out final night, with young performers from across Pembrokeshire dazzling audiences in their production of Sycamore Gap.

The show proved hugely popular, with 96% of tickets sold across the run at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven. The production also received glowing praise from the theatre’s community and junior reviewers.

Director Tim Howe said the success of the show reflected the dedication and hard work of the young cast.

“We are so incredibly proud of our young people and everything they have achieved with this production,” he said.

“While breaking box office records with 96% of tickets sold is an incredible milestone, the greater triumph is seeing these performers gain the essential life skills that will define their future success.

“Sycamore Gap demonstrates what we at the Torch believe makes youth theatre so special. It provides a safe and creative space where young people can build friendships, grow in confidence and explore the issues that matter most to them.”

Freya, one of the Torch Theatre’s junior reviewers, said she was impressed by the standard of the performance.

“I was impressed with the singing at the beginning of the show. What a voice!” she said.

“Every actor delivered their lines as if it were a normal conversation. I didn’t even hear a single stutter or notice if anyone made an error. The skill it must take! I’d be shaking in my boots.”

The success of Sycamore Gap will be followed by one final performance at Aberystwyth Arts Centre as part of the National Theatre Connections tour.

However, the young performers will have little time to rest as preparations are already under way for their next major production.

Mr Howe explained that the Torch Youth Theatre will soon begin work on a brand-new summer show.

“Following our Aberystwyth Arts Centre performance, we move straight into our spectacular summer production, Robin Hood and the Legend of the Black Knight,” he said.

“Written specifically for our Youth Theatre, the production will see more than fifty young people take to the main house stage for a fresh retelling of the classic tale. It’s an incredibly exciting time for our performers, and we invite everyone to come along and support them.”

The story picks up ten years after Robin Hood fled into the forest. Now he has returned in search of adventure, leading audiences deep into Sherwood Forest alongside Maid Marian and a host of familiar characters.

With daring escapes, a legendary archery contest and the appearance of the mysterious Black Knight, the production promises a thrilling new take on the well-known legend as Robin and his allies stand against the tyranny of Queen Eleanor and the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham.

Robin Hood and the Legend of the Black Knight will be performed at the Torch Theatre from Monday (July 20) to Wednesday (July 22).

Tickets are available from the Torch Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267 or online at torchtheatre.co.uk. Prices are £10, with concessions available for £8.

Image: Jasper Photography