My first music concert was a performance by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchcestra in the Great Hall of Exeter University, at the age of ten. It sounds very fancy, but my main motivation for going was because it involved a coach trip – always exciting, even if just a few minutes across town – and an … Continue reading
The multi award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, The King and I is again touring UK theatres. Ahead of its return to Cardiff’s New Theatre next week (Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 November 2023), I’m very pleased to share this interview with Annalene Beechey, who plays Anna to Darren Lee’s King. What … Continue reading
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
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
I wouldn’t normally use the title of a film as the heading for a blogpost about it. But how can you improve on Powertool Cheerleaders vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead? It’s the best movie title I’ve come across for a long time. And the film is every bit as entertaining. It’s the latest … Continue reading
Acclaimed former Welsh National Opera singer Alwyn Mellor is giving a rare performance in Wales in aid of a local charity, close to her heart. The show, Something Wonderful!, will include well known songs from film and stage by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and other greats, with soprano Alwyn accompanied by Michael Pollock on piano. … Continue reading
As The Rocky Horror Show reaches its half century, with a UK tour in 2023, we’re pleased to publish this interview with its creator Richard O’Brien. What was your inspiration behind The Rocky Horror Show? Someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios and so I wrote a song … Continue reading
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
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
I first came across super-talented jazz singer and pianist Anthony Strong at the 2013 Brecon Jazz Festival. I loved the performance, describing it as “as sharp as his suit”, and since then we’ve kept in touch on social media. If you’re not familiar with Anthony’s work, you can check his website here. But I wanted … Continue reading
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