Entertainment

A ‘beauty’ of a show at the Torch!

Published

8 months ago

September 25, 2023

IT’S that time of year again … Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, is delighted to bring you its festive pantomime Beauty and The Beast this Christmas. A tale as old as pantomime with a twist in the tail, the story is inspired by the classic French fairy tale.

This ‘beauty’ of a show, written and directed by Artistic Director Chelsey Gillard, features an extraordinarily talented cast, loads of audience participation and brand-new songs that are sure to have you singing along and splitting your sides with laughter.

And talking of cast members …. Would you like to know who appears in our panto? Shout louder! Was that a yeah?! This week the Torch Theatre shares with you its amazing, glittering, spectacular cast members who will take your family on a wonderful fun adventure.

First up is Amelia Ryan who plays Crystal the Butler. Having trained at the University of Wales Trinity St David’s and the California State University Fullerton, she has, since graduating, worked with the Torch Theatre on an R&D project ‘Nest.’ She has also appeared in the Money Monster student finance Wales commercial, Public Health Wales advertisement and has voiced for Funky Pigeon and Hodge Bank. This will be Amelia’s third Christmas at the Torch and she is “so pleased to be back once again.”

Next up is Ceri Ashe as the Evil Fairy Shadowmist, a Pembrokeshire born actor and writer with her own theatre company Popty Ping Productions. Her on screen credits include Niamh in the Pilot of Class, Ros in Gwaith/Cartref – Series 6 for Fiction Factory / S4C and Claire in Ridley Scott Associates’ Pull Up Pilot. Ceri also plays the Detective in the Feature Film Scam.

Our next introduction is Ceri Mears. Originally from Llanelli, Ceri plays the part of the Good Fairy Gertrude, our Dame. He trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and drama and has appeared on Stella, CBBC’s The 4 O’Clock Club, Being Human and BBC’s Torchwood opposite John Barrowman to name but a few. He has also featured in various commercials including Vodaphone, Network Rail and Pot Noodle and is a dab hand on the guitar, bass guitar and drums.

Fluent Welsh speaker, actress Leilah Hughes is a mezzo soprano and her skills include ballet and modern dance. Leilah plays Belle. She has appeared on Pobol y Cwm and Gwaith Cartref on S4C as well as appearing in Truth and Dare with Theatr Clwyd and Anthem for the Wales Millennium Centre.

Our next actor needs no introduction – Pembrokeshire’s Samuel Freeman plays the Beast. Samuel was born and raised in Milford Haven and attended the Torch Youth Theatre as a child. The actor, musician and composer recently appeared on stage at the Torch in the Jabberwocky and Other Nonsense (Calf 2 Cow).

Samuel said: “So naturally, I am ecstatic to be working at the Torch again this Christmas in Beauty and the Beast. It promises to be full of all the laughter, music, and fun you expect from panto and more! I heard the beast is quite dashing under all that fur and makeup too…”

Joining the Torch as our Swing – an understudy for the roles of Belle, Evil Fairy, Butler and Belle’s Father (as Mother) is local actor Freya Dare. Freya is a community dance/drama artist in Pembrokeshire and runs her own Theatre Company Forest Fairies and Friends Theatre. Her television and film credits include Baker Boys (BBC), Red Haven (feature film), TUI commercial, BT commercial and OXO commercial. She is looking forward to being a part of the Torch Theatre Pantomime this year.

And last but not least is again another native of Pembrokeshire Lloyd Grayshon who plays Belle’s Father. An actor and film creator he is no stranger to being on the Torch stage. You may have seen him in a few Torch productions; A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Mappa Mundi/Torch Theatre production) Aladdin (Torch Theatre) and Brief Encounter (Torch Theatre). Lloyd was also delighted when asked to be the Musical Director/Band leader in the Torch Theatre production of One Man Two Governors. He said: “I’m extremely pleased to be returning to the Torch again this Christmas and can’t wait to work with Chelsey for the first time.”

Beauty and the Beast will magically make its way to the Torch Theatre stage from Friday 15 December to Sunday 31 December. Relaxed Environment Performance – Saturday 16th December @ 2pm and BSL Interpreted Performance – Tuesday 19th December @ 6pm.

Note: Torch members get 25% off up to four tickets purchased for Beauty and the Beast.

Usual tickets are £22.50 | £19.00 CONS | £70.00 FAMILY. Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office at the Torch Theatre on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

Entertainment

St Davids Cathedral Music Festival representatives attend Royal Garden Party

Published

6 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SIMON PEARCE, the esteemed Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Davids Cathedral, was honoured to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The event, celebrating the UK’s Creative and Cultural Industries, featured an array of celebrities, stunning displays of spring gardens, and performances by the Band of The Marines.

Mr Pearce, who attended with his wife Katherine was appointed in 2022 as the Director of Music at the cathedral—a position he has held since 1998 in an assistant capacity—expressed his delight at the opportunity to represent the festival. “Every single moment was to be savoured,” he remarked, noting the “wonderful music, fantastic host of celebs, a sumptuous tea party, stunning gardens and Palace, and glorious British spring weather.”

The St Davids Cathedral Music Festival 2024 will open with a dazzling performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on May 25. The orchestra will treat audiences to Mathias’s Festival Overture and Brahms’ Second Symphony.

Adding to the splendour, award-winning violinist Inmo Yang will grace the stage with his rendition of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.

This year’s festival will also introduce several new performers. The Choir of Royal Holloway is set to debut on May 27, enchanting attendees with choral arrangements of orchestral classics. Local talent is also in the spotlight, with Pembrokeshire-born horn player Simon Lewis performing alongside Trio Preseli on May 26, showcasing works by Welsh composer Anthony Randall.

Adding a touch of environmental consciousness to the festival, clarinet virtuoso Emma Johnson returns on May 28 with her Orchestra for the Environment.

Their repertoire will include pieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Johnson’s own composition, ‘The Tree of Life’.

The festival will kick off with the 150-strong Children’s Festival Chorus on May 24, captivating audiences with their youthful energy and a live band.

Throughout the week, the cathedral musicians will feature prominently in several concerts, with the highlight being the full Cathedral choir performing Choral Evensong live on BBC Radio 3.

This prestigious invitation to Buckingham Palace came just two years after Mr Pearce’s official appointment as the Master of Choristers, a role in which he has pledged to continue enhancing the cathedral’s distinguished musical tradition.

At the time of his appointment, the Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, as Dean of St. Davids, praised Mr Pearce’s exceptional talents, saying, “It has been a pleasure to enjoy the excellence of Simon’s playing and conducting over the years.”

Under his leadership, the Cathedral Choir and Choral Foundation have been furthering their well-deserved reputation for excellence. “St Davids Cathedral is a spiritually inspiring and beautiful place in which to make music,” Mr Pearce said, acknowledging the special connections the cathedral maintains with the local community, school, and the wider Pembrokeshire area.

Entertainment

Dinosaur fans should head to The Torch Theatre on July 31

Published

16 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE is back and even more ROARSOME!

Join our brave Rangers for another action packed Dinosaur Adventure in the all new and exciting show: TROUBLE ON VOLCANO ISLAND.

When the island’s ancient volcano becomes active, it spells danger for everyone – including the Dinosaurs!

It’s a race against time to help our Rangers and favourite Dinosaurs in this thrilling prehistoric expedition, to save Volcano Island from imminent disaster.

Meet the incredible Triceratops, the cheeky Spinosaurus, our cute baby dinos and the gigantic T-Rex as we follow in their huge footprints and journey across the island. We’ll encounter wild new species of Dinosaur whilst conquering exhilarating challenges at every turn!

This amazing, immersive and interactive show is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.

Remember to join us after the show for a free photo opportunity and meet the dinos!

“There’s trouble on Volcano Island, get ready for an explosively good time!”

Dinosaur Adventure Live will be visiting The Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on July 31.

Entertainment

Dolly Parton to explore Welsh roots near Tenby in upcoming TV special

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

Luke Sinclair

Country legend Dolly Parton, who has discovered her Welsh heritage, is set to explore her roots in an upcoming TV special. Although the 78-year-old 9 to 5 star was born in Tennessee, she recently learned that her ancestors hailed from near Tenby.

Dolly, accompanied by her family, will visit Wales, known for its rich singing tradition, as part of a four-part docu-series to be released next year. Her niece, singer Jada Star, shared that they traced their DNA back to Wales.

“Dolly is releasing a four-part docu-series about our roots and where we come from. There’ll be lots of footage from over there,” Jada revealed. She added that Dolly is just as glamorous in private as she appears in public. “I have never seen her unglammed in my life. She never wears slippers. Even when she’s lounging around her own house in PJ’s, she still wears Frederick’s fluffy Marabou high heel slip-ons. She has them in every colour to slip on when she’s relaxing at home.”

Following in her aunt’s footsteps, Jada will perform at Glastonbury next month. “Dolly is so excited for me,” she said. “Her main advice was, ‘Make sure to bring your rain boots’.”

Reflecting on Dolly’s memorable performance at Glastonbury in 2014, Jada noted that it gave her aunt “a new lease of life”. Jada’s new single, Keeper of My Heart, is out now.