Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
Despite what some of the tunes in comedy musical Avenue Q (Grand Theatre, Swansea, Tues 28 July-Sat 1 Aug. Tickets: £14.50-£25) would have you believe, the internet is for more than just porn (it’s also for finding out what’s on this week). The UK production of the puppet filled, Sesame Street inspired musical is bringing its satirical, politically incorrect and somewhat cheeky performance back to Wales. Expect songs such as The Internet Is For Porn (get the reference now?), Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist and What Do You Do With A B.A. In English?
For a character that is just a quirky, but in a completely different way, how about the shy, polite, and mild-mannered Edward Blank? This is not all there is to Blank, however, as you will discover in The Very Grey Matter of Edward Blank (Pontardawe Arts Centre, Tue 28 July. Tickets: £7.53 / £3.23-£5.38 conc). Going from the external to the internal, the Familia de la Noche production delves into his head and finds the introvert’s extroverted imaginary friends.
For a real life character there is Oh Hello! (Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Fri 31 July + Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Sat 1-Sun 2 Aug. Tickets: £10-12) focuses on one of the most prominent and unforgettable characters from the Carry On film franchise: Charles Hawtrey. Providing an insight into the most interesting – and difficult – aspects of his life, Jamie Rees’ performance will leave you wondering whether or not it’s the real Hawtrey on stage.
OMIGOD! Did you hear?! Elle and her friends are, like, totally visiting Aberystwyth in her hit play Legally Blonde The Musical (Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Tues 28 July-Sat 29 Aug. Tickets: £22-£26/ £22-£24 conc / £84 family ticket – matinees only). The musical version’s fun and memorable quotes, songs, and outfits serve to reinstate Elle Woods’ place as a feminist and cultural icon.
For something a little darker, but equally funny, then a fast-paced comedy about the attempt to escape the past? Old Man’s Gift (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, 29 July. Tickets: £8 / £6 conc) is about a group of friends who have something special in store for their former abuser’s birthday, and it’s not a cake. Search the German meaning of ‘gift’ for a look at what this macabre play has to offer.
Get your fake tattoo sleeves, leather jacket and crazy hair ready, because Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris (Y Plas, Cardiff University Fri 31 July. Tickets: £17-£15) is coming to Cardiff. Performing songs from his bands’ debut album British Lion, Steve and his band are bringing hard rock into the heart of Cardiff for one night.
More music news: the New York-born singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters (The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff, Thurs 30 July. Tickets: £20 adv / £23 on the door) is bringing her latest album Blackbirds to Cardiff. Described as an ‘Americana tour de force’, all classic American music fans will not want to miss the GRAMMY-nominee’s performance.
In the arts world this week is your last chance to catch Lin Huang’s exhibition Silk Road To China (Aberystwyth Arts Centre, until Sat 1 Aug. Admission: free) in Aberystwyth. The exhibition depicts the ancient, cultural and metaphorical wall between Eastern and Western civilizations through her captivating black and white photography.
Boundary Art’s summer exhibition, Flow (Cardiff Bay, Sat 1 Aug-Sun 30 Sept. Admissions: free) starts this week. Artists from around the world will the taking inspiration from the sea, and exploring how creatives from different places depict it.
Art gallery g39 is seeking to connect self-publishing, small artist book publishers this week at B (g39, Cardiff, Sat 29 Aug. Admissions: free) at their first artist’s book fair. With exhibitions, discussions and performances and the array of artists’ work on offer the fair is guaranteed to bring out your inner artistic bookworm for the day.
words SINEAD MCCAUSLAND