Find out what’s on in South Wales this week
Watch the ultra-violet performance about an underwater kingdom, the elastic rainbow planet, the dawn of time and space beyond our solar system. Gustav Holst’s The Planets has made its way back to Cardiff after a nationwide tour through Wales, but it’s come back reworked and ready to wow its audience once again. Here for just one day, make sure you clear your diary for this modern performance on Monday the 21st. (Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Mon 21 Dec, 7pm. Tickets: Children £8, Adults £12)
Christmas Day is almost here, and what better way to spend the lead up than with a Christmas classic: The Nutcracker. A ballet story, where when the clock strikes midnight the toys comes to life. Performed by the Russian State Ballet and the Orchestra of Siberia, treat yourself to a classic story this year. ( St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tues 22 Dec, Wed 23 Dec & Thurs 24 Dec, 2pm (& 7pm on Tues only). Tickets: Adults £15 – £36, Children under 16 £7.50 – £18, Family £41 – 102)
Sick of the cold weather? Wish you could go somewhere warmer, or at least less wet? Well you can just that without having to buy a plane ticket. Congress Theatre in Cwmbran is putting on a pantomime adaptation of Robinson Crusoe, reworked into a tale about a man who wants adventure and that all-important treasure while visiting mermaids and battling monsters from Nikki Nakki Tikki Takki Wikki Wakki Island. Get away from the winter blues and follow Crusoe on his voyage. (Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, Fri 18 Dec – Sun 27 Dec, 2.30pm & 5.30pm. Tickets: £11 – £15.)
The Chapter Arts Centre is putting on an exhibition of George Barber’s work: Akula Dream. George Barber rose to fame in the 1980s with his sample clips, using untested technology at the time, to create an orchestration of sound, vision and rhythm. Check out the artist and his style at the Chapter Arts Centre (The Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tues 23 Dec – Sun 10 Jan, 12pm – 6pm)
On Boxing Night, Clwb Ifor Bach is hosting Get Stuffed, and for the special night, the live music club is bringing back the much loved Cartoon Cinema Chill-out. Going all out with your favourite DJs, you can expect to have a great night at Clwb Ifor Bach. (Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 26th Dec, 10:00pm – 4:00am. Tickets: £10.)
The best part of Christmas is arguably the pantomimes. Everyone knows the tale of a certain young boy and his quest into a giant’s home: Jack and the Beanstalk. Now grab hold of your magical beans and jump into the world of imagination with the whole family at the Riverfront. (The Riverfront, Newport, Mon 21 Dec – Sun 3 Jan, 1.30pm & 5pm. Tickets: £10.50 – £16.50)
Now is the time of year where you can scream and cheer with all the other big kids. Aladdin, starring rugby legend Gareth Thomas as the Genie, is playing at the New Theatre in Cardiff. Be sure not to miss out on the ‘behind you!’ moments this Christmas. (New Theatre , Cardiff, Mon 21 Dec – Sun 17th Jan, 1.30pm, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm. Tickets: £10.50 – £31)
Hard To Be A God is playing in Chapter Arts Centre this Sunday. A black and white modern film about another planet technologically behind Earth. Scientists are sent from Earth to make sure this new planet goes down the ‘right path’ to progress in this compelling Russian piece. (Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Sun 27 Dec – Wed 30 Dec, 1pm, 4.50pm or 7.35pm. Tickets: Adults £4, Students £3.)
Any Jazz or Swing fans out there? The Wessex New Orleans Band is playing at Cafe Jazz this Tuesday. Head down to the cafe and listen to some traditional styles of 20s and 30s music played by John Minnion, John Scantlebury, Pete Locke, Vic Partridge and Pete Berry. (Cafe Jazz, Cardiff, Tues 22 Dec. Admission: Adults £4.50, Members £4.00, Students £2)
words MONICA MARTIN
photos JOHN STRATFORD
