Exciting acts set to step into spotlight at theatres
Competition winners in new book
RCT Theatres plays host to an exciting season of events this autumn.
The Coliseum Theatre in Aberdare and the Park and Dare Theatre in Treorchy have a jampacked season of music, drama, comedy and family events lined up, with everything from headline names to heart-stopping performances, magical children’s shows, plus a traditional festive panto.
The Coliseum will host music from The Three Degrees with original members Helen Scott and Valerie Holiday on Thursday, September 28, The Alarm’s Mike Peters on Thursday, October 3, British rockers Wishbone Ash on Sunday, October 20 and Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers on Friday, October 25.
The Park and Dare welcomes Sophie Evans, from Tonypandy, on Thursday and Friday, September 26 and 27, and singing brothers Richard and Adam present their smash-hit show The Greatest Songmen on Saturday, October 5, followed by The Blues Band on Thursday, November 14.
Drama lovers can chose from the hilarious comedy The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure presented by award-winning Le Navet Bete on Thursday, September 19, the multi-award-winning comedy drama Art presented by Black RAT productions and starring Keiron Self, Gareth John Bale and Richard Tunley POIGNANT short stories and poems from local writers are featured in a new book called In Remembrance.
The publication is the result of a creative writing competition, run by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s library service earlier this year, in which the public were invited to submit their original short works, based on the Act of Remembrance.
This year marks the centenary on Thursday, October 10, and Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful which is on Friday, November 1 at the Coliseum Theatre.
The live pirate adventure Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass sails into Aberdare on Saturday, October 5 and Circo Ridiculoso present their brand-new bonkers kids’ show Frankenstein for Kids on Friday, November 1 at the Park and Dare. Both of these shows are for children aged three and over.
The award-winning Ballet Cymru bring their dynamic new ballet Romeo a Juliet to the Park and Dare on Tuesday, October 8, where award-winning cameraman Doug Allan presents Wild Images, Wild Life on Friday, October 18.
Fans of Welsh rugby can see Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams on Thursday, September 5 at the Coliseum. The show also includes a Q&A session, so if you have a burning question to put to Shane – now is your chance.
Rounding off the season, RCT Theatres presents the traditional family panto Cinderella at both theatres between December 6 and Christmas Eve.
For more information, call the box office on 03000 040 444 or go to rct-theatres. co.uk of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended the First World War. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. Millions of people died during both world wars.
Hundreds of entries were submitted, each one no longer than 2,000 words, and 40 works were selected for publication.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, cabinet member for stronger communities, wellbeing and cultural services, said: “The council’s library service has been producing an anthology of the writing of local authors for more than a decade, covering many genres from mysteries, thrillers, stories of suspense, humour and personal reflection.
“Each of these anthologies celebrates the rich talent throughout Rhondda Cynon Taff and this year the theme has been In Remembrance.
“I would like to thank all of the contributors, not just in the latest anthology, but also all previous editions. Without the passion and talent of our local writers, we would not be able to produce such a rich and diverse collection of writings each year.
“I would also like to thank our dedicated library staff, who take the time to read every entry before deciding which pieces to include. We hope readers find the poems and stories included both entertaining and thoughtprovoking.”
Among those included are Yvonne Rugby Hughes, Sheila Lewis, Olivia Rya Jones, Kevin Ashman, Jane Taylor, Carole Leyshon, Brenda Evans, Bourke Le Carpentier and Julie Coar.
It is on sale at all Rhondda Cynon Taff libraries, priced at £5.