An Autumn of Innovative New Programming and Festive Entertainment at Theatr Brycheiniog
From fresh, fun and festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to bright and light new Welsh ballet, The Light Princess, Autumn Season at Theatr Brycheiniog is packed full of spectacular new drama, classic shows, music, comedy and talks to suit all tastes.
Innovative delights to discover include Brecon Bites, a new monthly programme of Classical lunchtime recitals, cutting edge modern opera, The World’s Wife, and a selection of excellent contemporary dramas, Growth, Little Wolf and JRR Tolkien’s ‘Leaf by Niggle’. From fascinating talks to big name and cabaret-style comedy, and the best of children’s theatre, Awful Auntie and Shark in the Park to the musical talent of Barbara Dickson and The Young’uns, Autumn is alive with entertainment.
The theatre is nestled at the basin of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, and in addition to the stunning setting it offers a delicious food menu at The Waterfront Pop-Up Café, open all week, 10am– 6pm, and later on show nights. There is free live music every Saturday with Live @ The Waterfront, monthly art exhibitions, and a range of activities and classes, including a Youth Theatre for Reception age all the way to 25, weekly Dementia-friendly Drumming Together sessions from Beat It, talks from The Arts Society Brecknock , as well as our regular programme of community classes. Theatr Brycheiniog is one of the leading arts venues in Mid-Wales with its varied, high quality programme of entertainment.
September hails the launch of PromArt 2017, a new art prize for Powys school students, created by Brecon Town Concert Band to celebrate their 50 th Anniversary. The 280 pupils who entered the inaugural competition will have their work displayed at the theatre’s Andrew Lamont Gallery throughout September. The celebrated Pendyrus Male Voice Choir (23 September) presents a programme of traditional Welsh hymns and popular contemporary repertoire. Music lovers can also look forward to the launch of Brecon Bites (26 September, 24 October, 21 November, 12 December), a season of
Classical music lunchtime recitals featuring students from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD), and twice Olivier Award winning Barbara Dickson (29 September) presents an intimate showcase of her best loved songs alongside pianist, Nick Holland. The new season also welcomes the return of Comedy Club (29 September, 27 October, 24 November), a cabaret-style evening of hilarity held on the last Friday of each month in the Gallery.
October begins with the latest of a new season of talks from The Arts Society: Brecknock (3 October, 7 November, 5 December); Behind the London Livery Companies – Objects and Stories will uncover some of the fascinating treasures of this British institution. Set
against a backdrop of our shifting politics and opinions of migration, five extraordinary dancers are joined by a local cast to perform Raft (5 October), a new piece from acclaimed Welsh choreographer, Gwyn Emberton. JRR Tolkien’s
‘Leaf by Niggle’ (11 October) is a miniature masterpiece of a one-man show that brings one of the Lord of the Rings author’s most fantastical short stories to life. Ballet Cymru presents The Light Princess (13 October), a vibrant new ballet with a score by Welsh harpist and composer, Catrin Finch, which includes elements of circus with outstanding classical choreography. Little ones will adore fin-tastic family musical Shark in the Park 14 October), which features all three of the much-loved book series. Celebrate the 60 th anniversary of our National Park with Brecon Beacons Heritage Day: Bringing our Heritage to Life (15 October), a day of free talks and discussion. Glastonbury stars and twice BBC Folk Award winners, The Young’uns (17 October) present a slice of the best English folk today with their ‘Strangers’ Album Tour. Kathakali (18 October) is a masterpiece of sacred theatre that erupts on stage with striking visual images that expose the magical world of South India. Cutting edge opera sung in English, The World’s Wife (19 October) is a collaboration between poet Carol Ann Duffy and composer, Tom Green, and features solo soprano, string quartet and loop pedals. To round off the month in style, Rachel Podger’s Brecon Baroque Festival 2017: Vivaldi and the Music of Venice (26 – 30 October) lavishes Brecon with a sparkling programme of music and associated events.
November starts with smash-hit comedy, One Man, Two Guvnors (1 November), which features songs and hilarious mistaken identities against a backdrop of 1960’s Brighton. A talk from the original Mountain Bike Hall of Famer, Hans Rey: Riding Life (2 November),
will please adventure and sport lovers, whilst Diary of a Madman (9 November) is a surreal, dark comedy that follows Poprishchin, a low ranking civil servant, as he is slowly driven insane by government bureaucracy. Television favourite, Andy Parsons: Peak Bullsh*t (10 November) offers laughter as the best tonic to our worries, whilst Message in a Bottle: A Tribute to the Police (11 November) offers the chance to relive the iconic sound of Sting in a flawless journey through the band’s hits. Taking a magical wintry turn, the Russian National Ballet present timeless classic The Nutcracker (15 November), and The Snow Dragon (13 – 14 November) will delight those aged three and above with songs and laughs from the company behind The Gruffalo stage show. A retelling of an Ibsen classic, Little Wolf (16 – 17 November) from award-winning director and writer Simon Harris, is a raw and funny exploration of family relationships. Fans of the Tour de France will relish Bikeology (Saturday 18 November), Ned Boulting’s talk on the drama that colours the sport and its biggest names. The world’s largest youth drama festival, Shakespeare Schools Festival (20 November) will feature local schools’ performances, celebrating the enduring power of the Bard.
December arrives with a hilarious combination of stand-up and cracking musicianship in Rich Hall’s Hoedown (1 December), before swinging into Christmas with The Rat Pack: Christmas at The Sands! (2 December) a show featuring comedy, camaraderie, a stunning live band and three superb West End performers. The world premiere of David
Walliams’ Awful Auntie (6 – 10 December) adapted for stage will delight young audiences with frights, fights and friendship. Sing along to classic Christmas songs with the Brecon Town Concert Band: Christmas Hits (11 December). Inclusive theatre company, Theatr Wildcats presents Fairytales and Reality, a magical piece that brings smiles, dancing and explores our choices in life. The West End at Christmas (14 December) brings festival sparkle with hits from the musicals and the best of Christmas song, featuring a talented West End cast. What better way to round off the festive season that with brand new, all singing, all dancing adventure in the form of professional Pantomime, Jack and The Beanstalk, from Welsh company, Jermin Productions.
The Gallery will house four exhibitions this season. PromArt 2017 (8 September – 31 October) celebrates the artistic talents of Powys’ young people with the inaugural PromArt Prize. The Brecon Beacons – Our Landscape, Our National Park (6 – 29 October) will display some the best images that celebrate the National Park, selected from photographers’ submissions. Photographers are invited to submit their images of the Beacons to Punch Maughan, Visual Arts Coordinator, friends@brycheiniog.co.uk / 01874 611622, by 10am on Monday 18 September. Diamond People (3– 20 November) is a photographic portrait exhibition celebrating the 60 th anniversary of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Haymakers’ Christmas Collection (22 November – 15 January 2018) features the varied work of local designer makers, the Haymakers, who celebrate the 30 th anniversary of their cooperative gallery in Hay-on- Wye.
The monthly Comedy Club returns in September, October and November. Offering a genuine cabaret experience, this perfect Friday night out presents some of the best comedians on the circuit.
Theatr Brycheiniog continues to offer a range of classes and activities over autumn, including Mid Wales Dance Academy, Chorus Line, Brecon Town Band, University of the Third Age and Pilates classes, as well as talks from The Arts Society: Brecknock. The theatre has also partnered with Beat It Percussion to offer participatory, Dementia friendly, music making sessions for older people. This is a chance to do something creative and social and have fun at the same time. These weekly sessions will continue throughout the autumn and are free to take part. Our thriving Youth Theatre is run by professional practitioners and offers the opportunity for young people aged 4 – 25 to develop confidence and performance skills. There are four age groups to choose from, and sessions run weekly, except in the school holidays.
For any details on performances, activities or anything else, please visit brycheiniog.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01874 611622.
Book your tickets and find out more about Theatr Brycheiniog here.
