Friday, May 23, 2014


southwalesargus.co.uk


City theatre group is irst stop for a career on stage


A GWENT musical thea- tre group are changing the mould when it comes to ama- teur theatre as they prepare for their latest production before losing any more mem- bers to top drama schools. WAWWA are currently in rehearsals for their latest production, The Witches of Eastwick. Founder and director, Jay Coleman, said: “It’s an in- credibly cleverly written story. We are really proud to have a lot of the old gang back. It’s a stunning cast. And they really do fly.” The 45-year-old from Cwm- bran founded the company 18 years ago. He said: “I fell into WAWWA by accident. I did a charity concert in the Con- gress and that first produc- tion was called We Are What We Are.” And he hasn’t looked back since. Mr Coleman also founded Musical youth UK, which has nine hubs. The group rehearse weekly


in Pontnewydd in Mount Pleasant Hall and put on two shows a year. Previous cast members have gone on to work on the West End, in Les Misérables and Jersey Boys. Many members have gone on to prestigious drama schools including Urdang, East 15 and Mountview Academy. Mr Coleman said: “It’s defi- nitely a group to join if you want to further your career. We work with a lot of profes- sionals. We don’t just make do, we produce everything to a high standard. “This is not amateur theatre


as you know it. I get people come up to me after perfor-


GREAT START:


Many cast members go on to work in the West End


Argus Lite


NEWS IN BRIEF School’s appeal


PONTYMOILE Primary School is asking local residents to share theirmemories of the school. Staff hope to collect written


memories and photographs fromformer pupils to help build a picture of the school’s history. These will then be used to create a display. For details contact 01495 742108 or drop your items into reception.


Link for college


COLEGGwent staff visited Vietnamto strengthen links withHaiphong Vocational College of Tourism and Services. The collegewon funding fromthe British Council, the UK’s organisation for cultural relations, to build links with its Vietnamese coun- terpart.


&Collectors’ Fair MalvernFlea


Up to 400 inside &outside exhibitors. 26th May(Holiday Monday) Entrance: 7.30am-3.30pm - £4


ThreeCounties Showground, Worcs. WR13 6NW.


Tel: 01636 676531 www.b2bevents.info


mances and say I can’t be- lievewhat I just watched was am dram.” Linda Urrutia has helped


out with the club for a few years, after her daughter Al- ice was a cast member before getting a place at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.


She said: “If your heart’s in


the theatre then WAWWA is the place to come. “We’ve got two shows com-


ing up. Rent in September and then Ghost in 2015.” The group, which was origi- nally just for youth, has re- cently opened up to all ages.


“Many of our youth wanted


to stay on or come back.” The school have auditions,


but as long as you can sing, they’ll teach you the dancing and acting, says Ms Uruttia. The show is in the Dolman Theatre, May 28-31. Visit wawwa.co.uk


A


Aneurin Bevan Health Board chief to take on national role


COACHDEPARTURES: PLUSASHOWPER PERSON


Sat,14thJune...................... BILLYELLIOT...................... £109 Sat,5th July.... ICAN’T SING!XFACTORMUSICAL £109 Sat, 6thSept.............................. WICKED .......................... £109 Sat,13thSept..........................MATILDA ........................ £119 Sat,20thSept ......................WARHORSE ...................... £124 Sat,27thSept.................... THE LION KING .................. £119 Sat,4th Oct..............................MATILDA ........................ £119


MORE SHOWS FOR DATES SHOWN PLEASE ENQUIRE


THE chief executive of the Aneurin Bevan Health Board is set to head the Welsh NHS. Dr Andrew Goodall has been appointed as the Welsh Government’s new director general for health and social servic- es and chief executive of NHS Wales. Dr Goodall has worked


for the NHS for 23 years and had taken up his role at Aneurin Bevan Uni-


versity Health Board in June 2009. Dr Goodall will be re- sponsible to the minister for health and social ser- vices and deputy minis- ter for social services for all health and social care policy in Wales. Dr Andrew Goodall said: “Having lived and been brought up in Wales, I feel very privi- leged to have been of- fered this national post.


“I understand the pres- sures and expectations the NHS faces, but also know that we have the opportunity to make the necessary changes.” Professor Mark Drak- eford, Welsh health min- ister, said: “Andrew has experience at all levels across NHS Wales.” Dr Goodall will take up


the post in June, and ar- rangements for an inter- im chief are underway.


Pub landlords to stage a 37-mile charity bike ride


REGULARS at aCwmbran pub will get on their bikes for StDavid’sHospice Care. Gareth and Jane Edwards, of theQueen


Inn,UpperCwmbran, are again staging a 37 mile charity bike ride fromBrecon to their pub inCwmbran on Saturday, June 21. After celebrating 10 years at the pub, they are hoping to attract evenmore riders than


the 100 that took part last year when £3,675.75was raised for St Anne’s. MrEdwards thanked Fox theMovers, of Cwmbran, Phil AnslowBuses and Ventair for their support. Entry is £20 plus at least £50 fundraising


for the charity. To register, contact 01633 484252 or thequeeninn@hotmail.co.uk


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Follow the Big Splash online


www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront 01633 656757


facebook.com/bigsplashnewport @newportfestival #bigsplash2014


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