21 of the hottest tickets in Wales...
Get your diaries out as May is a bumper month of music and theatre in Wales. Whether it’s comedy with the Graeme of Thrones, a day out with Peppa Pig or a chamber concert in Cardiff, we have 20 of the hottest tickets for May. Book those tickets now
9 Bach & Twelfth Day
Six-piece 9Bach return to Cardigan after their wonderful concert at Cardigan Castle this summer to promote their new album. Their imaginative, innovative instrumentation frames the delicate and subtle power of singer Lisa Jên’s distinctive voice; their songs are solidly rooted in their native north Wales and sung in their mother tongue.
Their album Tincian, released by Realworld, recently won the prestigious Best Album prize at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015. When: Sunday, May 1. Where: Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. Tickets: 01239 621200.
Peppa Pig’s Surprise
Peppa Pig, George and their friends are back in Swansea in a brand new live stage show, Peppa Pig’s Surprise.
It’s a lovely day and Peppa is playing outside with her friends. Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig have got a surprise for her and George. Enjoy fun, games and of course, surprises in this charming, colourful new show with new songs and new life-size puppets, Peppa Pig’s Surprise promises to be the perfect theatre show for all pre-schoolers.
When: Wednesday, May 4 (1pm and 4pm) and Thursday, May 5 (10am and 1pm). Where: Swansea Grand Theatre. Tickets: 01792 475715.
Jason Donovan: Ten Good Reasons & Greatest Hits
By popular demand, star of stage and screen, Jason Donovan is returning to his roots for a solo tour of his debut 5 X Platinum, 1989 album Ten Good Reasons and Greatest Hits.
The tour marks a huge step for the ’80s heartthrob: this is the first time he has toured as a solo artist for six years and the first time he has ever toured the Ten Good Reasons album. When: Friday, May 6. Where: St David’s Hall. Tickets: 029 2087 8444.
Cyrano De Bergerac
A fully Welsh ensemble reinterpret this classic of the French language in English, with some new Welsh language poetry by Twm Morys. Set in Three Musketeers era Paris, against the backdrop of war, comic and tragic in equal measure, Cyrano de Bergerac is one of the most epic love stories of all time. When: Until May 7. Where: Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Tickets: From £10. Details: For more information or to book visit the Theatr Clwyd website or call 01352 701 521.
Graeme of Thrones
Unhappy with how his beloved books were realised for the TV series, Graeme takes it upon himself to show how it should have been done. He doesn’t have the same budget, as many cast members or the performance skill required but he’s sure George would approve – and that’s what matters.
Created by a team of top UK comedy writers, this original and unauthorised parody of the international phenomenon Game of Thrones is a treat for fans and an introduction for the unenlightened. When: Sunday, May 8. Where: St David’s Hall, Cardiff. Tickets: 029 2087 8444.
A Sunny Disposition
Cardiff’s pub theatre The Other Room (recent winner of The Stage Awards’ Fringe Theatre of the Year) has announced a surprise extra show as part of their Insomnia season, written by and directed by Nicola Reynolds.
It’s a debut play that explores the nature of addiction and denial and tells the story of Charlie, an alcoholic.
Nicola says: “Charlie is an average, young man, dealing with the illness. An illness that tells him he hasn’t got it. An illness that affects all genders, classes, ages and races. What goes through his head? How does he cope? And what are the consequences?”
When: Monday, May 9 to Saturday, May 14.
Where: Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.
Tickets: www.otherroomtheatre.com
An Evening with Paul Young
It’s exactly what it says on the tin. Spend an hour or two with singer Paul Young, who will perform his greatest and best known hits. When: Monday, May 9. Where: The Tramshed, Cardiff Tickets: 029 2023 0130.
TOM: A Story of Tom Jones The Musical
It’s already been to Wales Millennium Centre and now the music and early story of Sir Tom Jones is winging its way up north. This inspirational story of self-belief and determination is performed live on stage by a phenomenal cast of actors and musicians, celebrating an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent who became a superstar on a world stage. When: Tuesday, May 10, until Saturday, May 14. Where: Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Tickets: 01492 872000.
James
Both enduring without having to lash themselves to retro package tours and creative enough to keep producing endlessly excellent new albums, James keep on keeping on with a metronomic verve. So their live shows wouldn’t be the same without their trademarks Sit Down, Come Home, She’s A Star and Born Of Frustration, but 33 years on since they formed James are still making incredible music – and for that we should all be grateful. When: Thursday, May 12 Where: Venue Cymru, Llandudno Tickets: £36
Welsh National Opera’s In Parenthesis
This is young British composer Iain Bell’s adaptation of the epic poem by Welsh poet, writer and artist David Jones. Private John Ball and his comrades in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers are posted to the Somme. In Mametz Wood they enter a strange realm – outside of time, dreamlike but deadly. Rather than simply reporting the horrors of the Somme, In Parenthesis