I was lucky enough to review some wonderful plays this year [2024], wearing one of my other hats as editor of the hyperlocal website Rhiwbina Info (named Information Platform of the Year for 2024/25 in the Wales Prestige Awards, since you ask!). Three of the very best were at the same theatre – Cardiff’s Sherman … Continue reading
Category Archives: Wales
Swansea Jazz Festival returns
It seems ages since I posted about Swansea International Jazz Festival, so it’s good to see it’s back this year. Featuring local, national and international talent, the festival takes place from 13 to 16 June, now hosted by Swansea Council in partnership with the festival’s founders Swansea Jazz Club. Continue reading
New murals celebrate city’s music and architecture
New murals celebrating Cardiff’s musical and architectural heritage have been unveiled in underpasses in the city centre. One designed by Unify Creative, the artists behind the ‘Butetown Mona Lisa,’ is in the underpass beneath Boulevard de Nantes, connecting Kingsway with the Civic Centre. The other by Wall-Op Murals, inspired by the city’s history and the … Continue reading
TONY! Harry Hill and Steve Brown on their new ‘rock opera’
As the comedy musical TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] continues its UK tour and heads to Cardiff [June 14-17], I’m pleased to share this interview with its creators, Harry Hill and Steve Brown. What are audiences in store for when they come see the show? Harry: We’ve tried to make it as funny as … Continue reading
“Tomorrow they’ll hang the man they say killed my sister”
My old friend Chris Marshall [not as old as me] has written his first novel – a pirate adventure aimed at young adults. Shadow of a Pirate, written under his pen name Kit Swift, has received great reviews and was even shortlisted for the Firefly Fiction Competition Wales 2022. Not bad for a first attempt! … Continue reading
An Inspector Calls – and we have some questions
The award-winning Stephen Daldry production of the J.B. Priestley classic An Inspector Calls is touring the UK again. In this interview, cast members George Rowlands and Evlyne Oyedokun discuss acting, touring, and what makes this 75-year-old school-text staple, and 30-year-old production still so relevant today. Continue reading
Flat-footed running leads to a high school art project
When I joined a flat-foot support group on Facebook to ask advice on running shoes, I never imagined it would lead to the inpiration for a high school art project 3,000 miles away. It sounds unlikely, I know, but that’s how the project Destination: A Journey Through Time and Space for grades 11-12 in the … Continue reading
Textile artist Karen wins Pride commission
I’ve been lucky enought to know some very talented and creative people over the years. One I actually had the pleasure of working with (in fact she was my boss) is textile artist and educator, Karen O’Shea. Karen’s latest achievement is winning a commission from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff & Vale … Continue reading
Swansea Jazz Festival is back on the waterfront
The much-missed Swansea International Jazz Festival is back this summer. The city’s celebration of jazz has had two years off because of the pandemic, and had already switched to a more low-key autumn event because of budget uncertainties in 2019. But now, thanks to a partnership between the city council and Swansea Jazz Club, it’s … Continue reading
‘Beautiful’ – Q&A with Molly-Grace Cutler playing Carole King
Molly-Grace Cutler is touring the UK as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. In this interview she discusses her role and the show, as she prepares to open at Cardiff’s New Theatre tomorrow (Tuesday 24 May). Continue reading