Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from November, 2016

Stifyn Parri SHUT YOUR MOUTH at The Wales Millennium Centre

It's Saturday night, Wales are playing to a packed Principality Stadium and just a mile down the road Rhosllannerchrugogs most famous son has packed a full house at The Wales Millennium Centre. Venues which have both been very important in the career of Stifyn Parri. For it was he that orchestrated the Ryder Cup Concert that brought icons like Bassey and Zeta Jones to the Stadium to celebrate the prestigious golfing tournament and it was he that also put on the Millennium Centres opening Extravaganza. I doubt many were surprised by the success of Stifyn Parri least of all himself. When he recalls stories from his childhood and his early performances it's clear the boy was meant to be seen and most certainly heard. 'Shut Your Mouth' is a hilarious and sometimes touching journey through the life of Stifyn Parri, filled with anecdotes from a man whose rubbed shoulders with everyone from Bonnie Tyler to The Prince Of Wales. Packed with gossip but told with fondness

The Full Monty | The Wales Millennium Centre

Looking for some Hot Stuff? I know where you'll find it! Simon Beaufoy's stage adaptation of the hit film takes you on an emotional rollercoaster as you experience the highs and lows of six redundant steel workers during Margret Thatchers time in power. Set in Sheffield where the community is plagued by recession we follow the guys as they battle personal and financial troubles. Inspired by the Chippendales the guys decide to form a dance/strip routine that can earn them a quick buck, just like the film all kinds of hysterics follow as they put together a strip routine for 'Bums of Steel'. Gary Lucy leads the cast as the hopeless Gaz who struggles between fatherhood and unemployment. Lucy is as loveable as the character originally played by Robert Carlyle and the banter between him and Kai Owen (Dave) is comedy gold. Chris Fountain brings the buff and a whole lot more to the show playing Guy, you remember the line in the film 'the lunchbox has landed'? Wel

The Rocky Horror Show | New Theatre Cardiff

Men in basques and ladies in frilly maids outfits, not your average Monday night in Cardiff and The New Theatre is home to The Rocky Horror Show for the next week so these are scenes your bound to witness  while walking through our capital. The Rocky Horror Show has and always will be the most fabulous, sexy, fun packed romp that ever graced a theatre stage. This production is an absolute thrill with a great cast which delivers wit, song & sass as good as any other production I've seen of this cult classic. Wonderful performances from all especially the narrator Philip Franks whose interaction with the audience kept the laughs coming. Frank N Furter is once again played by Liam Tamne and he is outstanding, the boy can sing dance and strut in the tallest heels I've ever seen. Other great performances from Will Knights as Riff Raff and Dominic Anderson as Rocky whose body is worthy of a BAFTA if not his acting. Rocky Horror is one of those shows you just want

Only Men Aloud | Interview with Craig Yates

Wales favourite man band are back at St David's Hall on December 3rd. Only Men Aloud bring their winter tour to the capital just in time for Christmas and if last years spectacular was anything to go by then you'd be mad to miss it.  We caught up with Craig Yates ahead of their winter gigs. What can we expect when you perform at St David's Hall? We always have a fantastic night at St David’s Hall, and this year will be extra special. As well as lots of Only Men Aloud hits, and all of your Christmas favourites, we are going to be joined by the brilliant Only Kids Aloud Chorus. They are a group of 9-13 year olds, from all over Wales who are all incredible singers. We can’t wait to hear them sing with us! We have also got some brand new routines and songs, which we are really looking forward to performing. You've played some amazing venues over the years, which has been your favourite? The two that really stand out for me is the

Rebecca Ferguson Interview

Rebecca Ferguson is back with an amazing new album and a UK Tour. Despite coming runner up in the hit talent show X Factor she's carved out a successful career, she's toured America and is releasing her second album. Rebecca plays St David's Hall on November 14th and we caught up with her to talk about the new album, being a touring mum and life after X Factor. W&W: Hi Rebecca how are you? R: I'm good, busy promoting my new album. W&W: Tell us all about it.. R: Its called Superwoman and is a very positive album, it was very emotional to make. It's about relationship break ups and building yourself back up. For me it was empowering because it's about building yourself up again and saying I'm going to get through this. Theres a few songs on the album which are really emotional but overall I'd say it's very uplifting. W&W: How much input did you have in the writing of this album? R: I wrote all the songs apart from one song. The s

Anastacia Interview | Wyburn and Wayne Cardiff Times

Anastacia Interview Having recently exploded back on to our screens as a contestant on BBC Strictly Come Dancing, we chat to the Chicago born vocal powerhouse Anastacia, about the show, her upcoming UK Ultimate Collection tour and her new records! W&W - Hi Anastacia how're you today? A - I'm great thank you, it's a lovely sunny day here! W&W - Yes here in Cardiff too! It's Nathan Wyburn speaking, we've met before with the sushi art and I've also done the gold glitter... A - OMG you're the artist, I can't believe you're interviewing me right now! W&W - I know it's crazy for me too, I also write for Cardiff times so this is an honour for me! A - I literally just retweeted your glitter artwork because I'm so thankful you're doing that, thank you! This is hillair! W&W - Thank you! So.. Ultimate collection tour, the next leg is due to start in May, how excited are you? A - I'm really excited! It was

Grey at The Hilton Cardiff

Hotel restaurants often lack personality and quite frankly good food but to say we were pleasantly surprised with Grey at The Hilton is a major understatement. It's manager Pasquale Manganiello has achieved something quite unique with Grey, it has all the loveliness of a family run Bistro with friendly staff and food that can only be described as amazing. The menu is varied and there is something for everyone. It covers all tastes including great vegetarian options. There's a fantastic selection of seafood dishes too and the portion sizes will please those with a big appetite. When food is this good size does matter. The daily 'Specials' included lamb Cawl, always a dodgy option because nobody makes Cawl like your mum right? Well this Cawl was the best I've ever had (don't tell my mum). I recommend anyone visiting Wales to visit Grey to try this famous Welsh dish, you won't be disappointed. For main courses we ordered Sausages and Mash and Lamb Shank.

Alison Wheeler (The South) Interview

Singer Alison Wheeler has been with the Beautiful South and now the remaining band members The South since 2002, the band continue to play sold out gigs all over Europe and are back in Wales for what is sure to be a great night out. We caught up with Alison just before their gig at The Globe Cardiff. W&W: Hi Alison, welcome back to Cardiff! Alison: It's great to be back, always a great crowd at The Globe, always s great reception in Cardiff. W&W: And The Globe is always a great party when you guys perform. Alison: It is, the warmth off the people there, it's  always lovely. W&W: You've been with the band since 2002, such a fun band and never a dull moment with these guys. Alison: Haha.. yes and we've nicknamed this tour the Never A Dull Moment Tour, even yesterday Hammy was struck down with illness and had s bucket at the side of the stage. He kept going! W&W: Why do you think the band are still so popular? Alison: I think

Great Taste Wales Celebrations

It's always great to attend the Great Taste Wales Celebrations and this years event at St David's Hotel showcased the finest Welsh food and drink and also gave us an opportunity to chat to the people behind the tastiest produce coming out of Wales. On a personal level it was great to catch up with Wern Ganol who we had the pleasure of meeting many years ago at The Great Roath Bake Off, his win at that Bake Off pushed him into taking his baking skills to another level. Seriously great cake! His fruit cake is as good as it gets and it pleases me to see that he's now showcasing his work at such events as Great Taste Wales. Other familiar businesses such as Penylan Preserves were there displaying their array of delicious produce. Again their preserves are some of the best you'll ever taste and the chilli jam was out of this world! Meeting people like these and hearing them speak passionately about their work gives you a sense of pride knowing that such great quality food