I cannot help but think how lucky some children are to experience theatre like the work that is put on currently across the UK. While independent and fringe theatre is also fantastical and amazing, something about changing a well loved children’s classic and adapting into something new just adds to the wonderful experiences that children can undertake today. And set in the London Coliseum, surrounded by gold and beautifully carved architecture, this was the perfect setting for this show.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert is a little what it says on the tin. With the character’s of Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig in a combination of puppetry and costume, Peppa and family experience the ranges of classical music but with a child’s input. Supported by a small but well equipped orchestra, children and adults a like are introduced to instruments in a simple and effective way.
We are introduced to well known classics such as Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart but to gain the interest of children, audience participation is involved with hand gestures, dancing, singing and basic description of what the music tries to convey. It not only makes something seen as potentially old fashioned into something youthful and exciting but also brings such beautiful music in a beautiful setting to the modern age, influencing children from young and changing the ideals of classical music as originally something for the old and middle class.
It also is an easy way for adults and families to get into classical music. We may have heard these songs, minimally on adverts or tv shows, in the background of productions, some of us perhaps knowing a little of the narrative but this was a great introduction to why composers wrote certain songs and what they try to convey.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert is a must see for all the family and especially a fantastic way to engage children in culture that is rich in our society and history.
Dyma ddrama hynod bwysig a pherthnasol am drais domestig. Ond nid stori unochrog, ‘du a gwyn’ sydd yma ond yn hytrach stori gymhleth a chreulon dau berson – Hayley a Carl. Mae adegau doniol, tyner a chariadus i’w stori nhw ond, yn y pendraw, y trais, y gormes a’r ymosodiadau erchyll sy’n aros yn y cof.
Mae’r dramodydd Katherine Chandler yn hen law bellach ar greu dramâu bachog a ‘gritty’ am gymeriadau sy’n dioddef o drawma. Sbardun y ddrama oedd hanes personol Stacey Gwilliam merch ifanc a ddioddefodd drais domestig cyson gan ei phartner a geisiodd, yn y pendraw ei lladd a’i chladdu’n fyw ar draeth ger Abertawe. Ond mae’r awdures yn pwysleisio nad ymgais i greu theatr verbatim yw’r ddrama hon – nid hanes uniongyrchol Stacey a gawn yma – yn hytrach stori ddychmygus sy’n trafod yr un themâu.
Mae Chandler wedi creu sgript arbennig, yn acen Abertawe sy’n llifo’n berffaith o un olygfa i’r llall ac mae’r cymeriadau yn rhai gonest, aml haenog a chymhleth. Mae Hayley’n chwilio am ei thywysog – yn dyheu am ramant – ac yn syrthio dros ei phen a’i chlustiau mewn cariad â Carl. Yn ystod ei monologau, mae’n olrhain ei chefndir teuluol, ei magwraeth a’r adegau o dristwch sydd wedi llunio ei bywyd. Y graith fwyaf yw colled ei thad, i deulu arall ac yna i alcohol. Ond mae’n ferch ddewr a phenderfynol, yn gymeriad sensitif a hoffus. Mae Carl hefyd yn rhannu ei fywyd anodd gyda’r gynulleidfa wrth drafod caethiwed ei fam a’i frawd yntau i gyffuriau. Mae e wedi ei greithio ond yn ceisio palu ei hun allan o’r byd hynny wrth fynychu’r gym yn rheolaidd a chynnal swydd. Ar ddechrau’r garwriaeth, mae Carl yn hynod o amddiffynnol o Hayley ac yn dangos munudau o wir gariad tuag ati. Ond, yn anffodus, mae ei deimladau’n tyfu i fod yn obsesiynol, yn beryglus a chymhellol ac mewn dim, mae Hayley’n cael ei rheoli’n llwyr ganddo. Rydym yn gweld ei bwer yn cynyddu, a’i dymer afreolus yn arwain at ymosodiadau ffyrnig arni ynghyd â munudau o wallgofrwydd llwyr. Ac er bod Carl yn flin wedi’r trais a Hayley’n maddau iddo dro ar ôl tro, yn y pendraw, mae’n gorfod gadael. Mae hyn yn dangos ei chryfder a’i phŵer hithau hefyd i geisio newid pethau. Y tristwch yw ei bod hi’n methu anghofio, a’i bod hi’n cael ei hela a’i herlid ganddo.
Mae’r ddau actor, Danielle Bird a Dan Hawksford, yn cydweithio’n arbennig ac mae eu portread o’r cymeriadau mor real, bron rydych yn anghofio eu bod yn actio o gwbl. Mae’r cyfarwyddo hefyd yn hynod o gelfydd, oherwydd nid oes llawer o gyffwrdd corfforol rhwng y ddau, yn enwedig yn ystod yr ymosodiadau a’r trais. Yn hytrach, mae’r cyfan yn cael ei gyflwyno i’r gynulleidfa drwy waith corfforol unigol, gyda’r ddau actor yn sefyll naill ochr i’r llwyfan. Mae’r gwagle a’r pellter yn ein hannog ni i greu’r delweddau hyn yn ein meddyliau, ac i deimlo poen Hayley a chasineb Carl. Mae hyn yn hynod effeithiol ac roedd y cyfarwyddo i gyd yn glyfar a dyfeisgar iawn drwy’r holl sioe.
Nid yn unig y sgript, y cyfarwyddo a’r actio sydd i’w ganmol ond hefyd yr ochr dechnegol. Mae’r set yn gyfuniad gwych o ddrysau tryloyw sy’n agor a chau i greu lleoliadau newydd ac ar adegau mae delweddau, negeseuon testun a geiriau allweddol yn cael eu taflu arnynt. Mae’r sain hefyd yn creu’r tensiynau angenrheidiol ond heb amharu ar yr awyrgylch ac mae meicroffonau yn ychwanegu at erchylltra’r trais yn y golygfeydd mwyaf tywyll. Defnyddiwyd tywod i amgylchynu’r llwyfan ac roedd y traeth, y môr a dŵr yn themâu pwysig drwyddi draw. Cafwyd cyfeiriadau at Chwedl Llyn y Fan Fach ar ddechrau’r ddrama ac roedd hyn yn berthnasol i stori Hayley maes o law. Yr eironi fwyaf yw bod y ddau gariad wedi cusanu am y tro cyntaf ar draeth Caswell sef yr union le mae Carl yn ceisio lladd Hayley a’i chladdu’n fyw ar ddiwedd y ddrama.
Dyma ddrama boenus a chreulon fydd yn aros yn y cof. Ond yr hyn sy’n cael ei gyflwyno i ni yw’r ffaith nad yw achosion o drais domestig bob amser yn syml. Ry’n ni i gyd yn euog o ddweud wrth glywed hanesion tebyg …. Pam wnaeth Hayley aros gyda Carl? Pam wnaeth hi fynd nôl ato fe? Beth sy’n bod arni?
Mae’r ddrama hon yn cyflwyno dwy ochr o’r stori i ni – dau lais,dau fersiwn a hynny yn gelfydd drwy gyfrwng theatrig. Mae’n glyfar, yn dorcalonnus ar adegau ond yn hynod bwerus. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i’r holl dîm artistig.
Contrary to so many horror films that over the years have depicted nature as the enemy and their female protagonists as victims, Charlotte Colbert’s She Will is a tale of personal and collective trauma and empowerment found in a deep connection with the land.
The film opens with the ageing film-star Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige) in a luxurious art deco train compartment taking Traumadol to relieve the pain from a recent double mastectomy. She is travelling with her young nurse Desi (Kota Eberhardt) to a retreat in the Scottish Highlands. At their arrival, they are met with exaggerated characters headed by Tirador, played by Rupert Everett in a little too caricatural Oscar Wilde pose.
All around is a wild and bleak forest that was once the theatre of the execution of women accused of witchcraft. The ground has absorbed the women’s power, be that of witches or of victims of a misogynistic crime, and it now insinuates itself in Veronica’s life bringing healing as well as power.
Director Charlotte Colbert excels at weaving together the physical elements of the forest with the symbolism of trauma and healing. The ground penetrates into Veronica’s cabin as a black sludge and into her dreams as nightmares. It liberates her from the shame she feels of her scarred body, deprived of breasts, symbol of femininity. It also brings redemption from the childhood trauma of being sexually exploited by the director of the film that launched her career, played by Malcolm McDowell. As Veronica embraces the power in the mud, her spirit haunts the film director who commits suicide.
Alice Krige dominates the film with intensity, subtlety, and charm. Krige’s Veronica is captivating in her transformation from a former film-star clinging to beauty by masking her body to an empowered woman with no fear. It is ironic that she played the evil witch in the faux feminist Gretel and Hansel that was so rife with misogynistic themes (see review).
The film is at its weakest when it leaves behind symbolism and tries to portray real characters and situations. Veronica’s relationship with her nurse Desi has little life in it notwithstanding solid performances. The attempted rape of Desi by a local young man is contrived, only serving the purpose of presenting an example of misogynistic violence which is punished by the revengeful forest. Other characters are a little too incidental adding little and at times disrupting the cohesiveness of the film.
Aside Krige, it is the physical and mental landscape that carries the film conveyed by the striking photography of Jamie Ramsay who fuses together the haunting images of Veronica’s nightmares and fantasies and the dark and sinister landscape all around her.
The choice of Scotland as a setting resonates historically. Between 1563 and 1736, an estimated 3837 people in Scotland were accused of witchcraft, a much higher proportion than in other European countries. 84% of them were women. It is estimated that over 60% of the accused were executed. This historical injustice has been addressed by the Witches of Scotland campaign, which has led to an official apology by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and has inspired movements in other countries.
Cynhyrchiad hir disgwyliedig Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yw Anthem sy’n cael ei llwyfannu yn y Stiwdio Weston tan Orffennaf y 30ain. Braf yw gweld cefnogaeth i’r Gymraeg a sioeau newydd mewn sefydliad sy’n denu cynulleidfaoedd eang a gobeithio mai arwydd o ymroddiad ehangach i’r theatr iaith Gymraeg yw hon.
Sioe Gerdd a chomedi dychanol yw ‘Anthem’ wedi’i selio ar fformat rhaglenni realiti megis ‘X Factor’ sy’n ceisio dyrchafu pobl gyffredin yn sêr dros nos. Mae chwarae ‘tafod mewn boch’ ar fformat rhaglenni adloniant sgleiniog fel ‘Eurovision’ a ‘Can i Gymru’ yn amlwg yma hefyd, yn enwedig o ran cynllun y set deledu, arddull y sioe a steil y cyflwyno cawslyd o slic. Cymeriadau stoc yw’r dalent sy’n aros i gael eu pum munud o enwogrwydd yn yr ystafell werdd – Teleri (Rhian Morgan), Eifion ac Esyllt (Gareth Elis a Lily Beau Conway), Leon (Iestyn Arwel) a Gerald (Rhys ap Trefor). Mae pob un o’r rhain yn cynrychioli ardaloedd o Gymru ac yn cynnal y gomedi wrth rannu eu bywydau bach pantomeimaidd gyda ni. Mae geiriau eu caneuon unigol wrth iddynt berfformio (a gobeithio dod i’r brig) yn adlewyrchu eu ffantasïau ystrydebol. Mae ochr dechnegol y stiwdio deledu yn siambls llwyr ac yn cael ei redeg gan griw bach hollol ddibrofiad ac aneffeithiol. Tudur y Cyflwynydd sy’n angori’r cyfan, yn ceisio achub y dydd, a’r sioe o ran hynny! – ac wrth gwrs ei yrfa, er bod ei ymdrechion yn aflwyddiannus yn y pendraw.
Yn sgil y rhialtwch, mae gan bob un ei angst personol, sydd wrth gwrs yn ychwanegu ymhellach at y gomedi a’r ffraethineb, e.e. Teleri, sy’n dyheu i gael ei derbyn gan yr ‘in-crowd’ Cymreig ac Eifion sydd eisiau rhedeg i ffwrdd mor bell phosib ohono! Mae’r cyfan, y themâu a’r mathau o gymeriadau yn dwyn i gof cyfresi teledu Cymreig o’r gorffen.
Cafwyd dawnsio a chanu, tantrums a dagre, gyda chydweithio hyfryd rhwng y cymeriadau. Ond mae’r cystadlu bitshlyd a’r antics erbyn y diwedd yn cilio. Yn hytrach mae’r cymeriadau, neu rai ohonynt o leiaf, yn sylweddoli bod eu bywydau bach cyffredin yn ddigon! Does dim angen yr enwogrwydd ffug arnynt i fod yn hapus!
Felly os y’ch chi ffansi noson ysgafn mas mewn theatr hyfryd, dyma’r sioe i chi. Mae’r deunydd yn addas hefyd i ddysgwyr gan fod y ddeialog a geiriau’r caneuon yn cael eu cyfieithu a’u taflu ar daflunydd sy’n rhan o’r set liwgar. Sioe 90 munud yw hon – dim egwyl, ac mae modd mynd a diod gyda chi i’r theatr. Ar ben hyn, mae pris y tocynnau’n rhesymol o’i gymharu â’r prif awditoriwm. Joiwch!
Anyone who knows me will declare my love of American film director David Lynch. The dark, eyebrow raising, nightmare vision that is his canon leaves most perplexed and others reeling. I’m usually in the later category.
For one reason or another his late 90’s classic Lost Highway has alluded me for years. The Watershed in Bristol had the great fortune of getting the 4K remastering of the film, a UK premiere. I’ll confess the film looked blazing on the screen. The exquisite close ups of mouths, eyes along with some truly vivid sexual scenes. Now known as the first flutter in Lynch’s L. A. Trilogy, the superior (in my opinion) Mulholland Drive followed by the even denser Inland Empire.
A post-mortem on the film requires time and patience. The first third of the runtime, is the definition of total paranoia, the use of VHS is of it’s era and a clever component of the horror aspect the film swerves in and out of. Bill Pullman plays Fred Madison, a free-form jazz saxophonist who suffers with headaches and an intense anxiety seen little of in cinema. His wife, Renne played by a stoic Patricia Arquette add a deeper mood to the film, seen later as the sensual Alice Wakefield in one of the films most head scratching phases. In a strange transformation scene, Fred whilst in prison for the murder of his wife, appears to morph into Pete Dayton, played by a chipper, subtle Balthazar Getty.
It is the performances of Pullman, Arquette and Getty which command the film, most of the intrigue coming from what on earth happens to these characters. One wonders if doppelgängers and tulpas might be involved, a theme in Lynch’s work for decades. You can easily see the influence of Greek myth, Buddhism and American folk heroes smeared all over the film and it works to the best it’s ability. Co-written with Barry Gifford, Lynch’s usual tricks are never far away, the smoke, fire, booze and rock music, the trappings of this movie master forever enthral. What exactly occurs in the film is up for debate, though appears to have clearer abstraction then later work.
As always with Lynch the humour is flies through and this Bristol audience got some good laughs throughout this absurd, beautiful film. Some idol police detectives inject some well needed laugh earlier on, as the realisation of a home invasion is established. Some more surreal supporting cast choices include Richard Pryor, Mink Stole, Gary Busey and Henry Rollins. Also of note is Jack Nance as Phil, in his last feature role, a Lynch veteran who wowed and delighted audiences for years, only to die in a bizarre attack in a donut shop.
Robert Loggia intimidates as both Mr Eddy and Dick Laurent, with neither character you’d want to cross, as proven by the hilarious car chase scene where he pistol whips a driver who cuts him off, whilst lecturing him about the highway code. Nothing remains more spooky in the film as The Mystery Man played by the pure terror of Robert Blake. I found I had chills in his scene with Pullman, the now famous “At your house” line is later heard in Twin Peaks: The Return, in keeping with the cyclic condition of Lynch.
Some of the musical choices may date the film slightly, though most are inspired: the likes of David Bowie with Brian Eno, Rammstein, the now cancelled Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails are highlights. Angelo Badalamenti’s score is evocative as ever, the perfect companion to most of Lynch’s warped presentations. Not his most brilliant music, but some nice moments by any standard.
Lost Highway remains troubling, funny, transient and thought provoking.
OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is close to me and the people in my life. Recent theatre I’ve seen and my own work/fundraisers remain in the back of my head. How can we portray this ghastly condition on the stage. Can we truly make people care?
Along comes StammerMouth with an expectedly profound piece, about OCD and those around the people who experience it. Directed by Nerida Bradley with a sharp eye for detail, CHOO CHOO has the snazzy, primary coloured vibe of a 70s children’s programme. Yet, a helping of Don’t Hug Me, I’m Scared and WandaVision peeps through with an angular distortion as the story stagnates. The feelings of isolation and worsening mental states are never far away in an ever increasing bout of anxiety. Both characters of Nye and Duncan have a strong, brotherly bond, leading to some later touching bits. You can only assume they spent lockdown together and this was the catalyst for the entire show.
Nye Russel Thompson (who also wrote the work) has poured his heart out here, the debilitating nature of the disorder constantly compromising his way of life. It’s clear that the condition can convince you making yourself think you’re capable of awful things. A radio set seen on a table spouts bile about a knife next to it and other horrible ideas that are naturally never acted upon. The efforts of fellow performer Duncan Hallis adds a soulful energy to the show, sincere in more sympathetic scenes. Both actors bounce off each other very skilfully, the humour is often solid. Some surreal moments, with dark comebacks remain as highlights.
Much love needs to be sent to Julie Doyle, the BSL interpreter for the evening. Though she was a slight part in the actual drama, she could have been utilised even more, her loitering of downstage right apparent throughout. Some sweet moments came when people in the audience before the show would sign with her, with some bouts of laughter. The set as well is simple and effective, white blocks which change colour work very well in the space. The opening song, heard throughout is such a catchy tune, I’ve yet to get it out of my head (speaking of which, the Kylie scene in a manic ). The song itself is a roll call for both guys, Nye’s slipping out of tune and rhythm due to the descent of his intrusive thoughts.
It’s super to see more theatre being made about mental health, especially after the life altering pandemic, something were not fully out of. I said in another recent review about OCD that “work like this could save lives”. This remains the case with this most recent piece from StammerMouth.
CHOO CHOO! You are not your thoughts continues at Chapter Arts Centre till 23rd July 2022.
It was touch and go for the return of the Welsh Proms if maestro Owain Arwel Hughes would conduct after a Covid scare. Owain’s loyalty to the Welsh side of the Proms is extensive and helped bring in large, attentive audiences.
A Prom from the Kenneh-Mason brood would bring some new blood to the festival in fine music making form. I’ve seen a few of them here and there in more intimate recitals, yet here the siblings played together and then duet after duet would form. Little doubt being the most musical family in these lands, the talent on display is but hereditary brilliance. The combined forces of Isata, Braimah, Sheku, Konya, Jeneba, Aminata and Mariatu graced the stage and all proved to be no gimmick.
A broad programme of bite sized work (some miniatures some extracts of larger pieces) loomed heavy over the night but the long list was gracefully ticked off as each brother and sister had their time to shine. My views on Eric Whitacre are very mixed and the opening of his Seal Lullaby was pretty and gave everyone some moments of harmony. The work of Coleridge-Taylor is newer to me (a diverse composer with work still being discovered decades after completion) and has blues charm and a gusto all of its own. Schubert on the piano was a highlight the quirky scales and stunning timbres of the composer always stood out and left me wanting more. Chopin I’ll take or leave, but still played very well indeed. The youngest sister doing Frank Bridge was impressive even with some understood nervous energy.
A showy take on Liszt’s famous Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 is bonkers, made famous by Tom and Jerry and the real crowd pleaser of the night. Sheku got to pick a more quirky piece for his cello and that of Shostakovich’s Sonata for Cello and Piano (Allegro). His take on Welsh hymns also are met with acclaim, the family having proud Welsh roots. They came into their own in the marvellous riffing on a medley of songs from Fiddler on the Roof. These classics are played with joy and are inflected with some marvellous colours thanks to the combination of duo piano and strings. Even a surreal encore of Bob Marley only added to the pot of an evening that wont be forgotten in a bit. Come back when you can!
Welsh Proms continues at St David’s Hall till 16 July 2022.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s new album Song is released 9 September 2022.
The outstanding Lion King musical has returned to Cardiff this summer. The Serengeti of Africa was transported to the Wales Millennium Centre. It brings warmth, light and darkness, with an emotive contemplative story line, and fantastic rhythms and lyrics.
The Walt Disney animations studio created The Lion King feature film back in 1994. The Lion King musical, which is based on the original animated film, made its first debut in 1997, in the state of Minnesota in the United States of America. In 1999, it was opened in the U.K. at Lyceum Theatre, and has been running ever since.
The story follows Simba’s journey from a cub to an adult lion, becoming the King Lion. Simba is the son of Mufasa and Sarabi, and his jealous uncle Scar kills his brother Mufasa, blaming Simba, and as a scared grieving cub he is forced to run away. Timon (Meerkat) and Pumbaa (Warthog) come across Simba, and they grow up together. The Pride Land in the mean time, is suffering under Scar and the hyenas reign. Nala, who was Simba’s best friend as a young cub, is now grown up, and while out hunting she is reunited with Simba. Simba’s confusion on whether to go back is helped by a spiritual meeting his dad Mufasa. Simba returns, the truth is out who really killed Mufasa, Scar falls to his death, and now Simba is the rightful descendant King of the Serengeti pride land.
The classic songs “ Hakuna Matata”, “Can you Feel the Love Tonight?” and “Circle of Life” by Elton John and Tim Rice feature in the musical.
There are a few song additions that don’t feature in film version, such as “Grasslands Chant” and “One by One”.
In the musical Rafiki, who has a narrative role, is played by a female. It was decided this as production felt it needed another stronger leading female role.
The hyenas, although dark and scary, have a comedic side to them alongside Scar, and of course not forgetting the jokes from Timon and Pumbaa, and Zazu (Hornbill).
The cast ensemble play absolutely incredible roles, from different animals, to dancing grass features. The super creative costumes, alongside the fantastic choreography, bring the auditorium to life. Performing not just on the stage, but in with the audience too. This gives such an immersive interactive experience.
My children who came along with me, age 11, 9 and 4, had their mouths wide open in awe of them, and couldn’t stop smiling. It really adds to the experience, and I got this warm magical feeling inside. We loved how the percussionists were positioned in the side boxes of the audience.
One thing I did notice with the performance I watched, I felt the volume needed to be increased as I felt it had reduced sound. I did question whether it was a relaxed performance because of this, but it wasn’t.
The first act seemed to be significantly longer than the second act. My children did start to fidget slightly towards the end of the first act and ask when they could get a drink and use to the toilet.
On a personal note, The Lion King musical has always had a play in my heart and in my top 10 musicals of all time! I enjoy the storyline along with African musical rhythms, inventive vibrant costumes and artistic set design.
The Lion King was also the first ever live musical theatre performance my son at age 3 watched in Cardiff back in 2014. He has been hooked on musical theatre ever since, and has a CD collection of soundtracks from the musicals he has seen since.
The Lion King musical in Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre 2014, my son Cody at age 3.
It’s certainly a musical for all the family. Guidance is from 6 years plus, and no under 3’s. It was approximately 2 hours 30 minutes long with a 15 minute interval.
It has to be said the whole cast and crew are incredibly talented.
Hi Francesca, great to meet you, can you tell us about yourself and your work?
Hi! I’m a female, working class director- born and bred in Swansea, then went to drama school in Liverpool, where I now live. After graduating back in 2014 I had a short stint of performing but I quickly realised how much I enjoy carving out the stories I want to tell. The fantastic Kate Wasserberg offered some assistant director experience as the trainee director at The Other Room Theatre in Cardiff. It’s through her that I met one of the most influential people over my career, Tamara Harvey and started my wonderful relationship with Theatr Clwyd where I went on to be one of the first recipients of the Carne Trust Traineeship for Directors in Wales.
Kate WasserbergTamara Harvey
The work I make is influenced a lot by music. Since a child I’ve loved singing and dancing, and I find music is at the core of a lot of my productions. I’m drawn to real stories, real people and the extraordinary moments in everyday life.
You have just directed a new play A Pretty Sh*tty Love, what role does music play in this production?
Before I even knew what the script would be, I had a composer on board. I love working with Alexandra Faye Braithwaite I think she’s extraordinary and her work is so intricate and emotive.
We knew that the piece would be heavily underscored and that music would be its own character. It’s a real story about a real woman who was buried alive in Swansea by her abusive husband. It’s a two hander but heavily told by the main character, Hayley, who draws back on memories. Music is a way to evoke memories for all of us and, in this production especially, it’s the thing that helps lead her through her story. I feel like I won the theatre lottery by having Katherine Chandler write the script, because her writing is so musical anyway so it’s really beautiful to underscore. Kath writes real people better than anyone I know and I think it’ll be a really special, important story to tell.
A Pretty Sh*tty Love plays at Theatr Clwyd from Fri 8 – Sat 23 July and Chapter Arts, Cardiff Wed 27 – Fri 29 July.
The performance at Chapter on Wednesday 27 July has a post show Q&A with Francesca and Writer Katherine Chandler.
There is BSL Interpretation by Sami Dunn on Friday 29 July
https://vimeo.com/715987525/730519afc6
This chat is specifically about music and the role it has played in your personal and professional life. To get is started what are you currently listening to?
I had serious FOMO not being at Glastonbury this year. I love live music and so I watched all of the highlights on TV. So, I think that’s influenced a lot of my current playlists. Currently, it’s Holly Humberstone, Maisy Peters and Haim. I always have Haim on repeat – I think they’re just amazing. Weirdly, I saw them in a tiny gig in Philadelphia back in 2012 when no one knew who they were and the drummer played one song on the kit with her heels. I knew I loved them then.
https://youtu.be/jEChsA4W5Wg
We are interviewing a range of people about their own musical inspiration; can you list five records/albums which have a personal resonance to you and why?
1.Tina Turner- Proud Mary.
This takes me back to uni, student nights out and moving to Liverpool.
https://youtu.be/HOcY4nHd9gM
2.Badfinger –No Dice (album)
I’m currently developing a new Badfinger actor muso piece with my good friend and creative partner Daniel Lloyd, written by Swansea playwright Tracy Harris. I think this album is extraordinary; the talent of these boys is just unreal.
https://youtu.be/OtrmhHqFqwE
3.Meatloaf- Bat Out of Hell
I put this album on whenever I need a big pick me up, or long car journeys when I need a good sing-a-long. I love how theatrical it is and how every sing is a full production. Growing up I listened to a lot of musical theatre as I wasn’t that interested in new music (the exception being The Spice Girls obvs).
https://youtu.be/BsQHVWBeTUU
4. Jamie T – Panic Prevention (album)
It was SO hard to choose just one of Jamie T’s albums. He’s always been one of my favourites and I think the person I’ve seen live the most. Me and my best mate Louise were just obsessed. We’d get in from a night out in Swansea and wake up the next morning with tickets to his gig, having no recollection of buying them. We’d know every song word for word and sing it as loud as we could in the car!
https://youtu.be/_vtmMo8n4ao
5.Phil Collins/Genesis
This is such a cheat, I’m sorry! But I really couldn’t pick one album or song. My parents would play Phil Collins constantly growing up and they still do! I love listening to him, it reminds me of home and makes me think of my mum and dad. The three of us recently went to his final Genesis concert in Liverpool and I remember thinking, I’m going to remember this moment forever. It was really special.
https://youtu.be/TLVbogL3NLw
Just to put you on the spot could you choose one track from the five listed above and tell us why you have chosen this?
Without You – Badfinger. (From the No Dice album)
The story of this band has stayed with me so much over the last year or 2 whilst working on the show. Just a couple of boys from Swansea, with so much talent who just wanted to make music, and they had such a sad end. The story is heart-breaking. People think this song was written by Harry Nisson, or maybe younger people might think of Mariah Carey, but actually it was a lad from Townhill, Swansea- Pete Ham. He wrote it with bandmember and scouser Tom Evans. So being from Swansea, living in Liverpool, it feels particularly special.
https://youtu.be/PPco24LS31A
Creating opportunities for a diverse range of people to experience and respond to sport, arts, culture and live events. / Lleisiau amrywiol o Gymru yn ymateb i'r celfyddydau a digwyddiadau byw
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