Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
Those cold November nights are getting even colder, which can only mean it’s time for those of you in, or travelling through Swansea to visit the Waterfront Winterland (Museum Park, Swansea, Fri 13 Nov until Sun 3 Jan, Tickets: prices vary), for another year for desperately clinging to your companion as you pretend to know how to ice-skate, tasting new food, and seeing the little ones’ faces light up with glee at Santa’s Grotto.
Speaking of glee, there’s some fresh comedy gracing Womanby Street. Nish Kumar (Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Tues 17 Nov, Tickets: £10) received rave reviews for Long Word… Long Word… Blah Blah Blah… I’m So Clever at Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. Kumar’s taking the horns that politics offers comedy with both hands with this tour, whirling through quirky observational storytelling with a bite and passion that’s hard to find twice.
If loud rock music is what you’re calling for this week, Undertone presents Calling Apollo (Undertone, Cardiff, Tues 17 Nov, Tickets: £4 at the door) may be just right up your street. Local band Calling Apollo are progressive rockstars in the making, already making a big impact on the alternative scene after forming in late 2012; they’re ones to keep an eye out for, we’re certainly watching them. It’s loud, that’s all you really need to know…
Mayhem and gore more appealing for your youngsters? Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks (New Theatre, Cardiff, until Sat 21 Nov, Tickets: £11-£21) ticks all the boxes yet again with the ever-popular educational entertainment from Terry Deary’s books. Bringing the tales from the subject’s textbook into ‘real life’ with cartoony warmth, and plenty of jokes and props, makes for a fun and engaging two hours for anyone and everyone – aspiring historian or otherwise, the children will go into school the next morning with a knowledgeable spring in their step, and we would bet adults feel the same going into work. Incredible Invaders is also being performed, telling the tales of the Roman invasion of Britain.
This week welcomes a romantic twist with three separate productions about love and romance. Starting with 147 Questions About Love (Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli, Thur 19 Nov, Tickets: £6); an intimate, tender and unusual question and dance conversation piece between a man, a woman, and the audience. Based on a novel composing entirely of questions, this is about not only love, but language – and it’s content not to have all the answers.
If you’ve been bitten by the Strictly bug – and who hasn’t? – then the fitness class Strictly Fit (The Guildhall, Cardigan, Fri 20 Nov, Tickets: £5) might be of interest. Taking inspiration from the ballroom and latin moves in the show, it’s the most fun way keep yourself fit this winter; there’s no need for a partner – so you’ll just have to imagine you’re dancing with Anton Du Beke.
Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Launch with Liz Pichon (The Assembly Room City Hall, Cardiff, Fri 20 Nov, Tickets: £5). Pichon, bestselling author and illustrator of the award-winning books Tom Gates, will be reading an extract from the newest book in the series, signing books and letting you into the world she’s created – including teaching you to draw, and listening to music from the character’s band. The Literature Festival itself returns in April.
Three Wine Men Cardiff Christmas Tasting 2015 (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Sat 21 – Sun 22 Nov, Tickets: £27.50 per person, or £50 for two). Picking the perfect drink for Christmas can be tricky, so why not go along to the tasting extravaganza? Boasting unlimited tasting samples for a variety of wines, master classes, an opportunity to buy great Christmas presents, plus experts and exhibitors to gather advice from, you’ll learn about wines and make new discoveries that you’d probably never consider otherwise. Whether you’re an expert, enthusiast or someone you just enjoys a glass or two after work, there’ll be something here for you.
Wales Millennium Centre hosts Strange Romance (Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sun 22 Nov, Tickets: £22.50 – £37.50 not including booking fee), a tribute concert for Steve Strange. Celebrating the life of a Brit Pop icon, Steve’s friends come together to perform hits from Visage, as well as their own hits. Proceeds from fundraising activity around this concert will support the partnership between Wales Millennium Centre and Age Cymru.
On the tail-end of a UK tour following a successful run at Edinburgh Festival, I Loved You and I Loved You (Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, £16+, Sun 22 Nov, Tickets: £8- £16), tells the true story of Welsh composer Morfydd Owen. Exploring the musician’s work and her tumultuous relationships with her husband and the man she loved, this romantic tragedy promises to be a fearless and captivating gem. A production between National Dance Company Wales and Sweetshop Revolution, this show contains nudity.
words EMMA SMITH
photos CHRIS PARFITT