Buzz Magazine Buzz Magazine - July Issue

stage live review WAR HORSE Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 18 June words ANTONIA LEVAY pic ELLIE KURTTZ Five minutes into War Horse, I was bleary eyed. The story is universally recognised: Michael Morpugo’s bleak portrayal of the breakout of World War One and the impact it has on a young farmhand Albert, who’s beloved horse Joey is sold to the Calvary and taken from his father’s farm to serve in the war. Although Albert is only 16, and too young to enlist, he lies to get in the army and heads to France to find his best friend, Joey. From the opening scenes depicting Joey as a young foal, through to the harrowing war scenes, the puppeteers recreate the movements and mannerisms in an incredible show of craftsmanship. Each movement is mimicked perfectly, from hoof stomping and ears twitching to realistic head movements; within minutes you forget there are at least three people operating these puppets at any one time. The story is moving and emotive and I defy anyone to sit through the National Theatre’s portrayal and not shed a tear. At the heart is a story of one boy’s fight to save his friend and the horrific senselessness of war at a time when eight million horses died, or were left dying, in the midst of battle on the other side of the channel. The feeling of total grief and the cruelty of war and the bonds of love and loyalty on each side of the British and German soldiers, the everyday people and the animals that served are all on display here. If you can still buy tickets, take your children to see a slice of history that shouldn’t be forgotten. This is a truly brilliant piece of theatre. The real War Horse, Warrior is a true story written by General Jack Seely, a friend of Winston Churchill and a war hero, and is about his horse Warrior and their battle through WWI. Dubbed “the horse the Germans couldn’t kill” by the Canadian Calvary, Warrior’s tale is an remarkable story and I urge you to search it out, if you haven’t already read it. Company spend the summer – until Sun 20 specifically – doing this Shakespeare play in various Welsh outdoor locations. (Until Sun 6) Buddy New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9.50-£29. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 5) Bugsy Malone Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £5. Info 01873 850805. Chess Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 0300 3656677. Musical with songs written by Tim Rice and Benny and Björn out of Abba. (Until Sat 5) Entertaining Mr Sloane Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £13.50/£12.50. Info 01656 815995. Presented by London Classic Theatre. Mametz Great Llancayo Upper Wood, nr Usk. 1.30 + 7.30pm, £20/£15. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 5) Pen-blwydd Poenus Pete BUZZ 74 The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 11.15am + 1.15pm, £5. Info 01639 843163. Welsh language theatre devised by Gary Owen. On tomorrow also; in Ammanford on Fri 4. Pete Dobbing + Andrew Doyle Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£5 adv. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Cardiff Comedy Festival night. War Horse Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15-£44. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 19) Welsh Unsigned Standup Awards: Heat 8 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Last of eight heats here, to be followed by two semi-finals and a final. This one features Michael Carey, Mike Reed, Justin Evans, Joseph Wynne, Fedor Tot, Gareth Brand and Charlie Webster. thursday 3 An Evening With Pam Ayres Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £22.50/£21.50. Info 01646 695267. #TEAMAYRES for life over here. I too often wish I’d looked after my teeth. On tomorrow also. As You Like It CLodge Park Woods (carpark), Stackpole. 12.30 + 7pm, £6-£14. Info 01646 695267. (Until Sun 6) Buddy New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9.50-£29. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 5) Chess Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 0300 3656677. (Until Sat 5) Dance Is The Answer Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £8. Info 01633 263670. Dance showcase presented by Sharon Fitzgerald. (Until Sat 5) John Fothergill + Tiffany Stevenson + Junior Simpson Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £9.50/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. (Until Sat 5) Mametz Great Llancayo Upper Wood, nr Usk. 7.30pm, £20/£15. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 5) Patrick Cassey + Mike Reed + Col Howarth + Philip Jones + Phil Cooper + Jonathan Millard Ebbw Vale Institute. 8pm. Info 01495 708022. New standup comedy night (on its second evening in fact) called The Laughing Leek, which is a pretty cringeworthy name to be frank. Pen-blwydd Poenus Pete The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 11.15am + 1.15pm, £5. Info 01639 843163. The Tiger & The Moustache Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2030 4400. One-man show in which Saikat Ahamed traces the story of Bangladesh. On tomorrow also. War Horse Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £15-£44. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 19) friday 4 An Evening With Pam Ayres Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £22.50/£21.50. Info 01646 695267. Annual Showcase Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale. 7pm, £5/£4. Info 01495 355800. Showcase displaying the talents of dancers in JAM and The Move, Blaenau Gwent’s junior and senior dance companies, as well as the members of community classes in the County Borough. As You Like It Lodge Park Woods (carpark), Stackpole. 12.30 + 7pm, £6-£14. Info 01646 695267. (Until Sun 6) Bobby Mair Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Cardiff Comedy Festival gig for Canadian comic who has been on the telly. Buddy New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11-£31. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 5) Chess Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 0300 3656677. [

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