Drama & Plays
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Thursday 11th March & Friday 12th March 7.30pm
National Theatre of Wales present
A Good Night Out in the Valleys
Written by Alan Harris, directed by John E McGrath, designed by Angela Davies
What's the most extraordinary Valleys story of all? After listening to hundreds, we transform the best into a beautiful, outrageous night of theatre.
'If these walls could speak you'd have a volume as long as this table'
'I've been caretaker here since around 1985, I've seen a lot over the years. There's a history and nostalgia attached to this place. Memorable things have gone on in this hall. Young people from all over the world have been here. I have it all in the visitor's book. People have come from everywhere: Sardinia, Italy, Lithuania, Holland - all over the place for international Youth peace week - Israel, Palestine, everywhere, and Wales, of course. We've had Syd Lawrence on this stage and his orchestra and I believe Maria Callas sang here. Apparently they had their own opera company. Paul Robeson sat there, not in these seats, but visited here and got involved with the miners. There's been many a good night out here'
Bill Thomas, Caretaker, Bedwas Workman's Hall
Also showing at: Bedwas Workman's Hall, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Blaengarw Workmen's Hall & The Coliseum, Aberdare.
For further information and to submit your favourite "Good Night Out" story or video visit nationaltheatrewales.org
Tickets £9/£8 concessions
Tuesday 30th March 7.30pm
European Arts Company and Rhondda Cynon Taf Theatres present
The strange case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
Experience, if you dare, the deliciously dark reinvention of this classic tale! Following on from the sunny Victoriana of ‘The Pickwick Papers’, European Arts Company is returning to the 19th Century and invites you on a trip down the smoggy, gas lit alleyways of London to hear ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.
Set in a Whitechapel tavern in 1888, a versatile ensemble cast will tell the gruesome story of Dr Jekyll and his charismatic alter ego using only the things you would find in a pub. Therefore, barrels, tankards, darts, brasses, bar stools, soda siphons, billiard cues, yards of ale and even Aunt Sally are used to create the physical world of Victorian London with great ingenuity, horror and imagination.
Set against the background of the Whitechapel murders (which caused the original London stage production to be cancelled) the show will explore the novel’s themes of morality, identity, duality and weird science in an energetic, physically inventive style.
A gothic shocker that’s thrilling, gripping and highly entertaining!
Suitable for ages 11+
Ticket £9
£6 Earlybird - tickets must be purchased by end of January 2010.
Tuesday 27th April 7.30pm
Mappa Mundi presents
Dangerous Liaisons
A MAPPA MUNDI | THEATR MWLDAN CO-PRODUCTION
After the critical and popular successes of their most recent touring productions – She Stoops To Conquer (a 4* review in The Guardian) and The Importance Of Being Earnest - Mappa Mundi, Wales’ most dynamic and popular theatre company, turn their attention to Dangerous Liaisons, a new stage adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel of lust, greed, deception, and romance.
A sumptuously mounted celebration of artful wickedness, betrayal, and sexual intrigue among depraved 18th-century French aristocrats, Dangerous Liaisons will offer audiences seductively decadent fun.
“Le Vicomte de Valmont is conspicuously charming and never opens his mouth without first calculating what damage he can do.” Mme. De Volanges
Over 16s Only
Tickets £9
£6 Earlybird - tickets must be purchased by end of January 2010
Monday 17th May – Wednesday 19th May 7.30pm
Loose Ends
Written by Frank Vickery
Following the massive success of Tonto Evans – Frank is back with another hilarious comedy.
Marlene is a mother.... a very interfering one. She has an almost unbearable influence on the lives of her children, Darren and Louise, who are forever finding themselves in the middle of situations their conniving mother has contrived. Louise is married and now Marlene decides it's time to pull out all the stops and get Darren hitched too.
On a weekend break in a caravan in Porthcawl, Marlene sees her chance, Bev, who owns the caravan, would be the perfect match for Darren! As Marlene plots and schemes to match-make for one child – the other one arrives on the run from her husband - just as Marlene reveals the devastating reason for her over-protective and sometimes infuriating behaviour.
This bitter-sweet comedy is classic Frank Vickery fare – packed with hilarious one-liners and moments of pure slapstick – you’ll laugh till you cry!
Tickets £11.50 / £10.50 concessions
BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday 18th May
Tuesday 25th May 7.30pm
Hijinx present
Into my own
by Glenys Evans, directed by Gaynor Lougher
There are two lasting legacies we can give to our children: one is roots, the other is wings. It had just been Anne and her Mum for years…
A play about stepping into the unknown, finding a new life and celebrating the joy and discovery that independence brings. While the story focuses on issues about someone with a learning disability it has appeal for a far wider community, bringing gentle humour to this universal theme.
Into My Own sees Sara Pickard return for her second tour with Hijinx Theatre after her success in Miss Brown to You.
Tickets £5
Thursday 10th June 7.30pm
Outdoor Venue: Ty Penallta, Tredomen
Miracle Theatre presents
Romeo & Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Freely adapted and directed by Bill Scott.
To die for…
They had grown up in a violent world. Everyone around them was blinded by conflict and hatred. Only a fool would sleep with the enemy.
But they are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. Their passion is a pure, bright, blazing refuge where, for a moment, they find peace and fulfilment.
Miracle Theatre takes on Shakespeare’s timeless play for the first time – adapting it with relish, passion and a sense of humour. By adding their characteristic ingredients of high energy performance, music and comedy they sharpen the drama and ensure the production will charm audiences of all ages.
Romeo and Juliet, a story of young love: innocent, intense, intoxicating – and deadly.
Running time approximately 2 hours plus an interval.
Suitable for all ages, but recommended age 10+, young children to be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets £10 / £18 picnic & ticket
(Picnics must be ordered 48 hours in advance)
Over 16s Only