I haven’t done much about poetry on this blog. I’ve written about lyrics, but that’s not quite the same. Lyrics might be considered poetry, I suppose, but they are intrinsically linked to a piece of music, while poetry has to stand on its own. And poetry can be a bit intimidating, can’t it? Which is … Continue reading
I’ve mentioned before in this blog how I admire dancers, so I was interested to hear that National Dance Company Wales is about to take a powerful double bill full of raw emotion and high energy athletic performance on tour. The show, entitled Blue / Glas involves a restaging of Theo Clinkard’s Ordinary Courage from … Continue reading
Barbara Hughes-Moore is a fascinating and impressive person. She’s a lecturer in the prestigious Cardiff Law School, a theatre reviewer (which is how I met her years ago), a published poet, and much more. She is also (and this is one of the things which interests me most) an expert in Gothic fiction. So, when … Continue reading
Misguided is a short sitcom pilot, now available to stream. It follows former popular girl and full-time rebel Rhiannon, as she’s forced to join a deeply uncool Guide group, with a cast including Lauren Morais, Nerys Amber Stocks, Meg Alexandra, Nia Gandhi, Sarah Hadland, Mike Bubbins, and Elis James. It’s a very funny piece, with … Continue reading
I do like a good dragon film. Or even a not so good one (here are three you may have missed and another featuring medieval knights) so I was pleased to learn that HBO’s epic Game of Thrones sequel House of the Dragon has been filming right here in Wales. In fact, filming took place … Continue reading
Two of my favourite things combine in a challenge being undertaken this spring (April 2026) – running and theatre. Mike Morgan will run the Wild Horse 200 ultramarathon across South Wales from Chepstow to Worm’s Head on the Gower Peninsula to raise funds for Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre Creative Engagement programme. Continue reading
Kudos to Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre, which has announced a free, weekly writing programme, offering expert advice and training for budding playwrights. Hone Your Craft will cover character creation, re-drafting and structure, how commissioning works, and alternative ways to get work made. Continue reading
REVIEW by Andy Weltch: ‘Port Talbot Gotta Banksy’ at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff This entertaining and thought-provoking new play tells the true story of what happened when Banksy unexpectedly painted an artwork on the side of a garage in Port Talbot. Continue reading
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
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
