THEATR Brycheiniog has launched its programme of events for the spring season, with highlights including an evening with the Banff Mountain Film Festival, events to mark the centenary of World War I, a night in the company of Martin Kemp and a talk about Henry VIII and Brexit by David Starkey.
Musical highlights include an Andy Williams tribute evening with Jimmy Osmond, a St David’s Day concert by the Band of the Welsh Guards and dance music from NDCWales’ Terra Firma.
Activities specifically aimed at young people and families include National Dance Company Wales’ Discover Dance Matinee, a free Family Dance Festival and a stage production of the classic children’s tale There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly.
JANUARY wouldn’t be the same without an annual visit from The Westenders, and this year they are bringing a brand new gem in the form of Aladdin! (January 20-27). The show promises comedy, energetic dancing, mesmerising scenery and one magic carpet ride audiences won’t forget in a hurry!
FEBRUARY welcomes Brecknock Young Farmers’ Club (February 5-10) with their incredibly popular Pantomime, Drama and One Plus Festival. Mountaineer, wall-climber and winter expedition writer Andy Kirkpatrick (February 12) gives a fascinating talk called Speakers from the Edge to coincide with the release of award winning film, Psychovertical. Brecon-born Christina Rogers appears as Just Adele (February 16) in a home-coming concert packed to the brim with hits, and 100 young musicians in glorious harmony take part in the 21st Rorke’s Drift Concert (February 12). Woman of Flowers (February 20) marks the season’s first great Welsh drama as this dynamic production based on the ancient Mabinogion tells the legend of Saunders Lewis’ Blodeuwedd. The first celebrity guest arrives as Jimmy Osmond (February 23) pays tribute to legendary Andy Williams in Moon River and Me. NDCWales returns with their atmospheric new triple bill show, Terra Firma, (February 26).
The show will feature stunning choreography by Caroline Finn, Marcon Morau and Mario Bermudez Gil. NDCWales are also inviting audiences to learn some moves in their Discover Dance workshop (February 27). Ending February is a very special St David’s Day concert, An Evening with the Band of the Welsh Guards (February 28). All proceeds will be donated to the Armed Forces charity, SSAFA.
MARCH begins with award-winning comedian Stewart Lee, (March 7), then takes a dramatic turn with The Wood (March 8), a powerful drama written to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I. Written by Owen Thomas, The Wood tells the tale of friendship, love and sacrifice against the backdrop of the Battle of the Somme. The hugely successful And Finally... present the Phil Collins Collection 2018 Tour (March 10), covering all the classics from In the Air Tonight to a selection from the Genesis archive. Mid Wales Music Trust presents a free, interactive show for primary schools, The Lost Box of Stories (March 12), and Dawns Powys Dance celebrates the work of their dance session participants of all ages and abilities in March Forward (March 16). Academic David Starkey presents an entertaining and provocative talk, Henry VIII: The First Brexiteer? (March 17), and music fans will be blown away by the eclectic mix of gypsy swing, jazz and blues music performed by the Remi Harris Trio (March 18). Banff Mountain Film Festival (March 20) returns for another spectacular evening of extraordinary short films sure to ignite the audience’s passion for action, adventure and travel! Tchaikovsky’s sweeping lyricisms and Pushkin’s heart-breaking story is explored by Mid Wales Opera in Eugene Onegin, (March 21). The free 21st Sir John Lloyd Memorial Lecture (March 23) explores Justice in Brecknock Over the Centuries with Lord Thomas, and the Explosive Light Orchestra (March 24) returns for another epic night of rock classics and melodic symphonic rock after blowing us away in their last show.
March ends on a terrifying high with the latest incarnation from The Circus
of Horrors: Voodoo (March 26).
APRIL begins with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (April 4/5), a magical show based on the well-loved nursery rhyme, filled to the brim with sing-a-long songs, colourful animals and heart-warming fun. Family fun continues with the free Family Dance Festival (April 7/8), a jam-packed hour of pop-up dance from three wonderful Welsh companies. There is a very special show on April 12, Our Life With Birds: Lloyd and Rose Buck; enjoy a rare opportunity to not only see golden eagles, peregrine falcons, hawks, and owls live on stage, but also to see them flying around the auditorium! Television actor and Spandau Ballet signer Martin Kemp talks candidly about his career in An Audience With Martin Kemp (April 14), and ex-Bellowhead singer Jon Boden (April 17) performs hits from his brand new album ‘Afterglow’. Pupils from eight local schools perform as part of South Powys Dance Festival (April 2), and Ballet Central (April 25) brings a performance from young dancers on the cusp of their professional careers. There will be samples from Black Swan, Sleeping Beauty, Valley of Shadows and many more. Welsh speakers and learners will not want to miss a stirring adaption of period drama Miss Julie (26 April) performed in Welsh, a thrilling revival of August Strindberg’s 20th Century classic. A night of glamrock greats, power ballads and party anthems await as the golden age of pop is revisited in Solid Gold 70s Show (April 27). Vamos Theatre sees the season out in style with A Brave Face (April 28). The place: Afghanistan. The year: 2009. Post-traumatic stress is explored in Vamos’ trademark, wordless, full mask style.
The Andrew Lamont Gallery will host four exhibitions this season. The Haymakers’ Christmas Collection continues until 15 January displaying varied work from Hay-On-Wye-based The Haymakers. The Taff Trail Trajectory (January 18 – February 25) is Fiona Harper’s personal journey of paint documenting the beauty of the Taff Trail. Coinciding with Brecon Women’s Festival is Abstract Edge (March 2 – April 8), an exhibition of paintings from an artists’ collective comprising mostly of women. Vulgar Earth (April 12 – May 20) displays painting, sculpture and installation, reawakening realisations of the direction humanity has taken.
Monthly favourites continue into spring, with the Comedy Club on the last Friday of every month giving a unique opportunity to enjoy some of the best up and coming comedians in the circuit in a relaxed and informal setting. Brecon Bites, in partnership with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, brings some of the most exciting young graduate and undergraduate musicians and ensembles Brecon for an entertaining and eclectic programme of monthly lunchtime concerts. In January (30) will be Robinson & Wischhusen Voice & Guitar Duo; February (27) Royal Welsh College Harps; March (27) Blackweir Brass; and April (24) Quartet 19. The Arts Society Brecknock also returns on February 6 with a talk on The Paintings and Watercolours of Ireland, with subsequent talks on Tibet: The Roof of the World, (March 6) and The Camden Town Group (April 3).
Theatr Brycheiniog continues to offer a range of classes and activities, including Mid Wales Dance Academy, Chorus Line, Brecon Town Band, University of the Third Age and Pilates classes. Participatory, dementia friendly, music making sessions for older people are held weekly at Drumming Together¸ presented in partnership with Beat It Percussion. This is a chance to do something creative and social and have fun at the same time. Our thriving Youth Theatre is run by professional practitioners and offers the opportunity for young people aged four to 25 to develop confidence and performance skills. There are four age groups to choose from, and sessions run weekly, except in the school holidays. Bookworm Boogie, a weekly session for babies and toddlers featuring drama, stories, music and movement, will continue on Friday mornings throughout the Spring season.
For details about tickets or performances visit www.brycheiniog.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01874 611622.