6 Theatre


Accolades honour our top theatre


WALES Theatre Awards have revealed the nominations for the country’s celebration of theatre, opera and dance. The much-anticipated 17 short-


lists were announced at Aberyst- wyth Arts Centre by its artistic director Gareth Roberts and Wales Theatre Awards director Mike Smith. The winners and highly com- mended will be announced at an awards ceremony at Sherman Cymru on Saturday, January 31, at 7pm.


Nominated by critics who have


reviewed performances through- out the year, these awards recog- nise excellence in performances created and presented in Wales. The shortlists for the categories


that include productions, per- formances, writing, direction, design and sound range include work from the large and small companies, large and small scale work, English, Welsh and, with opera and dance, productions that span many and no languag- es.


Mike Smith, Wales Theatre


Awards director, said: “At the awards ceremony we will also be launching a new Critics Fund to make sure artists and audiences benefit from the debate, discus- sion and feedback provided by critics by enabling far more re- viewing and supporting the next generation”. The awards have been devel-


oped from the previous Theatre Critics of Wales Awards and continue to include young and new critics in the nominating and judging. The awards and the fund are independent and run by a new, voluntary, not-for-profit- company, Arts Awards Ltd. To see a full list of nominations, visitwalestheatreawards.com


Bonnets, crinolines and more silliness


BLACKWOOD Miners’ Insti- tute launches its spring 2015 season with performances to satisfy everyone’s tastes. The knock-out show of the season is Withering Looks from Lipservice Theatre - an “authentic” look at the lives and works of the Brontë sis- ters – well, two of them actu- ally, Anne’s just popped out for a cup of sugar. Don’t miss this chance to share in the silliness! With- ering Looks is at Blackwood Miners Institute on Thurs- day, March 26 at 7.30pm. There is also plenty of drama on offer this season. Appearing on Wednesday, February 4 is Waiting For Stanley, a touching comedy that paints a stunning pic- ture of how life was for Lon- don’s women during World War 2. On Tuesday, February 24 The Royal Bed, an Eng- lish language adaptation of the Welsh classic Siwan by Saunders Lewis will be per- formed.


On Friday, February 27 The ‘Stute will present Grav, a play for everyone, and not just the rugby enthusiast that celebrates the man and the legend Ray Gravell. The Origin Of Species will


also tell one man’s incred- ible story as we discover how Charles Darwin learned the secrets of evolution on Thursday, March 19. Following their popular production of Beauty and the Beast, Ballet Cymru will per- form Cinderella on Saturday, May 16. New music and cir- cus elements combine with the finest classical dance to conjure a surprising world of beauty and magic. Audiences won’t be short


of choice when it comes to live music! Come along and celebrate the joy, despair and scandal of love on February 14 when Opera Mint per- forms Love Stories. Join the Welsh Musical Theatre Or- chestra on Saturday, April 11 for a magical night of music


KNOCK-OUT SHOW: Withering Looks


from all your favourite films and musicals. Double plati- num selling, Classical Num- ber 1 artist Rhydian will be appearing on Sunday,May 10. Billed as “The most famous Stones band in England” by Sir Mick Jagger himself, The Counterfeit Stones will per- form faithful and faultless renditions of The Stones’ greatest hits on Friday, March 20. There is also plenty of


comedy on offer this season as the popular Stute Com- edy Nights return for their regular monthly slot. Lloyd Langford will also perform his show Old Fashioned on Wednesday, March 18. Blackwood Miners’ Insti-


tute also has shows for the whole family. Step back in time as The First Time Ma- chine pops up on Saturday, January 24, which promises a feast of live music, thea-


tre and dance. Come and see Pitschi, The Kitten With Dreams on Friday, February 20, Whatever The Weather on Wednesday, April 1 and How The Koala Learned To Hug on Tuesday, April 7. For more information on Blackwood Miners’ Insti- tute’s Spring programme or to book tickets, contact the box office n 01495 227 206 or visit www.blackwoodminers- institute.com.


Live Performances


SolidGold 70s Show Saturday24January, 7.30pm


Reviving the golden age of pop, this show features glamrock greats, disco hits, power ballads and party anthem from the greats! £20


Make or Break Thursday 29 &Friday 30 January, 7pm


Showcasing the talents of the Newport youth community Make or Break is ashow full of song, dance and performance. £6, Reducions £4.50


Dusty and Friends Saturday 31 January, 7.30pm


Dusty, James Brown, Litle Richard and Ray Charles together form one mind-blowing tribute show.


£18.50, Reducions £16.50


Join The Riverfront’s email lists and book tickets by visiting...


www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront or calling...


BookingLine: 01633 656757 Transaction Fees Apply RARE BREED: Mike Doyle


Appreciate a showby a real entertainer


MIKE Doyle, one of the UK’s best all round entertainers ap- pears at the Borough Theatre on Friday 6 February 7.30pm. Mike Doyle is one of a rare breed of entertainers around today, a true variety artist in every sense of the word, equally at home as a singer, comedian, actor or TV and radio presenter. His long and successful career began in the 1980’s, honing his craft through the hard-nosed work- ing men’s clubs of his native Wales and beyond. His big break came when he won the BBC’s Opportunity Knocks in 1988. In 1990 he was awarded Best Stage Newcomer at the Brit-


ish Comedy Awards and since then he has appeared in three Royal Variety Performances and as a guest on literally hundreds of television vari- ety performances, as well as his own comedy TV and radio programmes. Mike Doyle’s live show at


the Borough Theatre prom- ises to be a night of pure musical excellence and belly- aching laughter that will re- fresh parts you never knew you had! Tickets, which cost £17 (con- cessions £15) are available from the Box Office on (01873) 850805 or booked online at www.boroughtheatreaber- gavenny.co.uk


southwalesargus.co.uk/leisure/


Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide Friday, January 23, 2015


Music


Performance


Live Music


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