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STALKING JOHN BARROWMAN
Chapter Arts Centre , Cardiff Tue 27-Fri 30 Aug Penned by scriptwriters Jude Gardner and Naomi Chiffi and brought to life by musical director Patrick Steed , Stalking John Barrowman is an exciting new musical performance which promises an audaciously humorous evening of song , colour and laughter . Basing the concept around the handsome Torchwood timetraveller John Barrowman , the focus is placed upon the fanaticism of Barrowman super-fans Julie and Jamie . Capturing their growing obsession with their “ perfect man ”, the musical follows them as they create their own detective agency in the hopes of achieving their dream meeting with the Broadway and West-End musical star . Passing off their stalking tendencies as “ normal ” fan activity , this performance discovers the perfect balance of hilarious drama , fastpaced dialogue and emotionally moving moments . Melding the plot perfectly with numerous musical numbers , musical director Patrick Steed succeeds in creating a strong and memorable score with enough variation in tempo and style . With hopes of the musical ’ s continued growth into next year ’ s Edinburgh Fringe , the production team have high aspirations for the performance to become as big as Jerry Springer The Opera . Currently premiering the production in Wales , Stalking John Barrowman ’ s all Welsh cast is sure to deliver a unique , light and upbeat musical performance unlike any other before . Tickets : £ 10- £ 12 . Info : 029 2030 4400 / www . chapter . org ( RW )
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THE PITMEN PAINTERS
Grand Theatre , Swansea Mon 19-Sat 24 Aug In 1937 a group of coal miners at the Woodhorn Colliery in Ashington , Northumberland , had hoped to learn about economics . But , unable to find a tutor , they instead invited Robert Lyon to teach art appreciation and history . They quickly progressed from appreciation to creation , and soon they found themselves hobnobbing with leading artists , critics and collectors of the day . Lauded for their paintings whilst still working down the mines every day , the Second World War finally intervened before they returned to obscurity . Lee Hall ’ s 2007 play celebrates the story of these men . Hall had previously explored the intersection between working class ambition and art , and between social values and cultural values , in his screenplay for the wildly successful Billy Elliot , which also tells the story of people from a working class background in the north-east of England gaining access to a culture which is supposedly denied to them . The difference between the two works being that The Pitmen Painters is rooted more firmly in reality . Although this is essentially a serious story , its poignancy is intertwined throughout with a wry Northern humour which has brought comparison with Alan Bennett . It ’ s a story which , with its focus on class , culture and politics in mining communities , is bound to resonate with audiences in South Wales . Tickets : £ 13.50- £ 24 . Info : 01792 475715 / www . swanseagrand . co . uk ( DG )
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TAMING OF THE SHREW
St Donats Castle Mon 26 Aug Enjoy al fresco entertainment in the grounds of St Donats Castle this month as Taming Of The Shrew is brought to the Vale Of Glamorgan by the Globe Theatre On Tour . Arriving as part of their European and Asia tour following a stint at the Globe , this modern take on a classic play features an all-female cast . The story follows two wealthy sisters in Padua that must be married off . The demure Bianca has no shortage of suitors , but who on earth will take the wild , ungovernable Katherina ? Perhaps the gold-digging Petruchio , as maddeningly strong-willed and perverse as Katherina herself , will be equal to the task of bullying her to the altar . The play features one of theatre ’ s great double-acts , determined to outwit and confuse each other , right up to the controversial conclusion . Directed by Joe Murphy , the open-air production features a host of performers including Olivia Morgan as Bianca , Kate Lamb as Katherina and Remy Beasley , a graduate of Cardiff ’ s Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama as Tranio . Theatregoers will also experience the simplicity of the theatre as it was in Shakespeare ’ s day with a traditional Elizabethan-style booth stage . With a cast packed full of rising talent , Taming Of The Shrew offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy one of Shakespeare ’ s classic tales in one of the most picturesque settings you could ask for . Tickets : £ 16- £ 18 . Info : 01446 799100 / www . stdonats . com ( RHO )
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NATIONAL YOUTH DANCE WALES
Sherman Cymru , Cardiff Thurs 29 Aug Directed by award-winning dancer and choreographer Errol White , the next generation of dancers from National Youth Dance Wales take to the stage for a dynamic performance of contemporary dance at Sherman Cymru this month . Alongside Errol White , NYDW welcome the highly regarded choreographer Theo Clinkard as guest choreographer for this performance . With connections worth envying in the international world of contemporary dance , Clinkard was recently appointed resident artist at Greenwich Dance , and alongside White , the pair have worked together to produce brand new work for NYDW which is sure to be a demanding show of persistent pace , precision and power . The production aims to channel the creative energy , enthusiasm and excitement of young people infatuated with dance into careful choreography that tests boundaries and celebrates the passion of young Welsh dancers . So , as the curtain rises and the lights dim , the NYDW team will be pushing themselves to the limit doing what they love . Workshops by NYDW are open to intermediate or high level Welsh dancers aged between 14-21 years of age , and the summer school is open to Welsh dancers aged 16-24 . The programme offers the opportunity for dancers to work with renowned choreographers and to perform in some of the most prestigious venues in Waless . Tickets : £ 6- £ 12 . Info : 029 2064 6900 / www . shermancymru . co . uk ( HP )
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