Theatr Clwyd Archives - North West End UK

8Nov

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

The Red Rogue of Bala – Theatr Clwyd

1913, with a war looming, we are transported to a dark, dingy pub where we are treated to stories of mischief and misdemeanours from scoundrel and rogue, John Jones. But all is not as it first seems. Written by Chris Ashworth-Bennion and directed by Dan Jones, we are taken on a journey of deceit, lies, “magic” and unusual friendships. As we enter the Theatr Weston we are invited into the local pub, where the audience can buy a drink at the on-stage bar, sit in the pub and mix with the locals (cast) and join in with card games and conversations. We immediately feel involved as we are taken directly into this world and you become a part of it. With jolly music and frivolity, all is good and light, that is until the change in music and lighting and John Jones, otherwise known as Coch Bach ...

Annie Get Your Gun in Concert – Theatr Clwyd

4Sep

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Annie Get Your Gun in Concert – Theatr Clwyd

Tip Top Productions have come bounding back to Theatr Clwyd with full force, bringing a concert version of Annie Get Your Gun to the newly renamed Theatr Moondance. Although this is no ordinary “in concert” as it comes with wonderful staging, fantastic choreography, brilliant projections and a whole lot more. Steve Davies as Producer and Director has put together a highly professional show with a stellar cast and staging that makes you forget you are watching a concert version and allows you to immerse yourself into the full musical. The stage is set with chairs across the centre with a gap in the middle and cast bring on five microphone stands across the front section of the stage which ties in the concert vibe of the show but also helps when it comes to spacing and lighting. Such a cl...

7Jun

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

Wales

Tick, tick… Boom! – Theatr Clwyd

Everything is new at Theatr Clwyd, with a sparkling £50m refurbishment nearing completion and Kate Wasserburg installed as the Artistic Director, on a gorgeous Friday evening in June all feels very positive for the future of the creative industries in this beautiful part of North Wales. As the final touches were completed, the press night audience arrived to the sight of unfinished landscaping and the smell of fresh paint throughout the building, whilst in the auditorium Tick, tick… Boom! provided a joyous paean to the necessity of creativity in life and a cracking start to the new era at Theatr Clwyd. Wasserburg chose wisely with the first show of her tenure, Tick, tick… Boom! is a relatively easy show to mount, with a cast of three and minimal set and props required for its staging. I...

Mother Goose: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

29Nov

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

Wales

Mother Goose: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

After almost two years, we are getting a sneak peek at a part of the Theatr Clwyd redevelopment with the first show back in the main theatre, this years Theatr Clwyd panto, Mother Goose. The rest of the building is not quite ready, with an exciting opening season recently revealed for early Summer 2025. Theatr Clwyd are back doing what they do best, bringing excellent theatre to audiences, some new but many returning year after year for the famous Rock n Roll pantos that Theatr Clwyd do so well. You could feel the excitement tonight as we enter the auditorium with new carpeting and brand-new chairs, a feeling of coming home but a home that has had a beautiful new makeover. Mother Goose is once again written by Christian Patterson and brings all the great jokes and innuendos we come t...

3Oct

By Gill LewisNo Comments

Wales

Kin – Theatr Clwyd

A two-hander which deftly weaves together and unravels an abyss of unexpected, shocking revelations and emotional depths. An end of seat dark comedy drama exploring the complexities of a strained sister-in-law relationship amidst a backdrop of loss. The affluent McGregor family, steeped in privilege, is rocked by the sudden death of Robert McGregor, leading to a tense reunion between his logical wife, Kay (Roberta Kerr), and her free-spirited estranged sister-in-law, Steph (Kerry Willison-Parry), Robert’s younger sister. As Kay attempts to navigate her grief with a veneer of control, Steph’s irreverent probing unearths some deep-seated resentments, particularly with Kay’s pointed comments about Steph’s financial irresponsibility, and Steph’s disdain of Kay’s working-class roots, incl...

13Jun

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

North West

Sweet Charity – Theatr Clwyd

A musical delight with an extremely talented cast. Sweet Charity, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields’ seminal 60’s musical with book by Neil Simon, isn’t produced as much as it should be, so it was a rare opportunity to see it at Theatr Clywd. The talented company of TIP TOP did a wonderful job and presented an amateur production with a professional feel. Under Steve Davies’ imaginative direction, Rhian Lyon’s dynamic choreography and Tim Jones’ excellent musical direction this was a delightful, entertaining evening. Most will remember the film with Shirley MacLaine – the shy, generous, dance hostess who loses her heart too easily and always ends up with it broken. Shirley brought a quirky vulnerability to the role which was memorable and hard to follow. Here, Rebecca Snowden in the title...

24Apr

By Bev ClarkNo Comments

Wales

Oh What a Lovely War – Theatr Clwyd

Joan Littlewood’s iconic, satirical masterpiece O what a lovely war! was first performed sixty years ago and is still as memorable and important as ever. Blackeyed Theatre’s new touring production is imaginative and confidently performed by a small troupe of six multi-talented actor-musicians. As its aesthetic is a stylized circus theme, it suited Theatr Clwyd’s beautiful temporary ‘tent’ which if you haven’t seen, the word doesn’t do it justice: it’s a wonderful space and well worth a visit. Into this, Director Nicky Allpress brings a small and somewhat subdued colour-toned group of circus performers with just a splash of red from the ringmaster. The simplistic set of a big top entrance is itself drab but works well as a khaki background to the war games that are to be r...

10Apr

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Kill Thy Neighbour – Theatr Clwyd

Opening their spring season of shows, we are introduced to their first made by Theatr Clwyd production of the year, Lucie Lovatt’s Kill Thy Neighbour. As the developmental work continues in the main building we are back in the Mix, and this is the biggest set we have seen in this space. The set takes over the full stage and completely transports you into the main house of the piece. I found it interesting how The Mix loses a lot of itself in this show, with the impressive set taking over it, meaning the use of all the usual lights and effects are unable to be used. The Mix is a great space for the time being, but I personally find it quite uncomfortable for lengthy periods of sitting, with the seats being quite close together and hard. Also, external noise unfortunately can be heard at ...

Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit – Theatr Clwyd

13Mar

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit – Theatr Clwyd

All aboard the murderous train for a fast paced, laugh a minute ride! Amateur detectives, this is your time to shine and find the culprit. With this production, the company of Pinch Punch has managed to add more fun to the “murder mystery” trope, with a slick and silly show for all the family. The detective leads the audience through a tale of murder, mayhem and… whatever you want it to be! That’s the fun of this show, it is totally dependent on the audience’s input. Whether it be choosing a character’s occupation, the train destination, or who the tragic victim may be, it’s all up to you. The actors boast that they have never (and will never again) perform this show, and they take on whatever the crowd comes up with. Even the characters themselves were forged from snippets of audience ...

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

7Dec

By Coral MourantNo Comments

Wales

Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Theatr Clwyd

A theatre renovation was never going to stop Theatr Clwyd from putting on yet another smash-hit pantomime. Instead, the team have created their very own “Big Top”, where the usual madness ensues. The outdoor Big Top features a giant thrust stage, adorned with webs of light and tiered seating all around. No matter which side of the auditorium you sit in, the boundless energy of the cast makes sure that you are fully immersed in the pandemonium of this year's panto. This version of “Sleeping Beauty” is not the tale you may have in mind. Christian Patterson's script has a brilliant balance of classic pantomime charm and modern flair. There's still the typical spinning wheel curse, but this Princess values friendship and freedom over romance. Part of the reason that this twist works, ...