The Welsh theatre scene is revving back into life this autumn and winter. Many new stage productions are making their debut, while old favourites are experiencing a revival: whether it’s horror, dance, musicals or just a good old light-hearted play, Rhiannon Farr has the lowdown on what’s gracing the theatre in Wales this October and November.

Music meets comedy in The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

First up, Black RAT’s latest touring production, The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes. Written and directed by Richard Tunley with music by Kieran Bailey, this is a playfully loose representation of Conan Doyle’s eponymous detective, complete with comedy and song. You can see it up and down the country between Wed 4 Oct and Sun 11 Nov, starting at Blackwood Miners Institute before heading to mid and north Wales, then returning down south to finish at the Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. (Info: here)

Housemates: friendship, freedom and care

Also in Cardiff, Housemates is a powerful collaboration between the Sherman Theatre and Hijinx, is a poignant exploration of friendship, freedom, and the challenges of institutionalised care. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Cardiff, this true story follows the life of Alan, a young man with Down’s Syndrome, and his friend Jim. The cast includes both neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians, ensuring an authentic representation of their characters. Suitably, this production features BSL, captioned, audio described, and relaxed performances, making it accessible to all. Catch it at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff from Fri 6-Sat 14 Oct. (Info: here)

A one-man show about connection: Cracking

Next, a unique blend of stand-up and theatre known as Cracking, delving into the concept of love amidst the relentless tide of hatred. When Shôn’s elderly mother asks him to crack an egg on her head, it sets off a chain of events that brings real-life internet trolls to his doorstep. This one-man show, performed by Shôn Dale-Jones, explores the importance of connection and the consequences of disconnection. It’s touring to Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Wed 11 Oct; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Fri 13 Oct, and the Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol, Thurs 2-Sat 4 Nov. (Info: here)

Ransack Dance’s double bill, Us And Them

Connection and boundaries are also the subject of Ransack Dance’s latest touring production Us And Them, a double-bill of spoken word, live music and modern dance. You can see it on Thurs 12 Oct at the YMa in Pontypridd and The Riverfront in Newport on Wed 6 Mar, plus seven other Welsh venues in the five interim months. (Info: here)

Magical artistry in Ballet Cymru’s Tir & Stream Of Consciousness

If dance is more your thing, absorb the magic and artistry of Ballet Cymru’s latest double bill at Theatr Clwyd, Fri 13 and Sat 14 Oct. In Tir, 11 songs from Cerys Matthews’ Welsh folk album come to life through the graceful movements of the company’s dancers. Second part Stream Of Consciousness, meanwhile, offers a contemporary reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Max Richter, set to spellbinding choreography. (Info: here)

Relive the Millionaire coughing scandal in Quiz

Elsewhere, high-stakes reality drama unfolds in Quiz, a production from James Graham that unravels the notorious coughing scandal from TV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Like elements of the show itself, audiences become part of the action on stage, promising a uniquely immersive experience at the New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 17-Sat 21 Oct. (Info: here)

Baba Joon: spoken word, movement & the 90s

The story of an Iranian man’s journey to Wales and his daughter’s life in a mixed heritage family is the subject of Lisa Zahra’s debut play, Baba Joon (Father Dear). This production weaves spoken word and physical movement with 90s dance tunes and traditional Iranian music to explore a sense of belonging within south Wales. Catch it at Swansea’s Grand Theatre, Tue 17-Sat 21 Oct. (Info: here)

NTW’s joyous Circle Of Fifths – back on the road

Directed by Butetown theatre-maker Gavin Porter, Circle Of Fifths is a groundbreaking live documentary that blends music, theatre, film, and real-life stories from people across Wales. Awarded five stars by Buzz’s Hari Berrow last year, this production from National Theatre Wales is a must-see. Its autumn ‘23 tour begins at The Riverfront on Thurs 19-Sat 21 Oct, heading to Ebbw Vale, Cardigan, Chepstow and finally Pontypridd on Sat 20 Jan. (Info: here)

Colonial history explored: How To Hold Your Breath

Back to Cardiff, and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama host at least two noteworthy productions this October. How To Hold Your Breath, directed by Sara Aniqah Malik and written by Zinnie Harris, offers a journey through recent European history, inviting audiences to consider the true cost of our choices; RWCMD’s Caird Studio, Thurs 19-Fri 27 Oct is where and when to see it. (Info: here)

Timeless classic Angels In America

Meanwhile, you can catch Tony Kushner’s award-winning play, Angels In America, which unfolds against the backdrop of New York during the AIDS crisis. The first part, Millennium Approaches, explores themes of life, death, love, sex, heaven, and hell. This production promises a powerful and emotionally-charged experience at RWCMD’s Bute Theatre, Fri 20-Fri 27 Oct. (Info: here)

Untitled – a queer dance odyssey

The Welsh capital is also where you’ll find Emilyn Claid, a queer dance performer with a remarkable career that began in the 1960s, and her latest show, Untitled. This extraordinary performance intertwines choreography, dark humour and personal stories while embracing the fear of endings. Catch this unique show at Chapter Arts Centre from Sat 21-Tue 24 Oct. (Info: here)

Victorian spookery in Dracula’s Guest

That Tuesday in October appears to be a popular date for theatre this year, with a feast of fascinating shows to choose from. First, we’re diving into the haunting world of Bram Stoker’s vampire lore in Dracula’s Guest, an eerie Victorian affair at The Miners, Ammanford. (Info: here)

Mud Pies: using green spaces for wellness

On the other end of the theatrical spectrum, Krystal S. Lowe’s latest production Mud Pies utilises the physicality of gardening and green spaces to explore wellness, self-love and freedom. Promising to remind us that mess and mistakes are essential elements of life, you can see it at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. (Info: here)

Rupert Everett takes a Voyage Around My Father

Back in Cardiff, legend of the silver screen Rupert Everett moves into the New Theatre for an autobiographical four-day stint in A Voyage Around My Father. Conceived by barrister and playwright John Mortimer, the play explores a father-son relationship of eccentricity, friction and yearning. It’s on from Tue 24-Sat 28 Oct. (Info: here)

Immersive live theatre experience, Séance

For those brave enough, Darkfield’s Séance offers a daring, immersive live theatre experience set inside a shipping container. An unsettling journey, certainly not for the claustrophobic, at Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea, Tue 24 Oct-Sun 5 Nov. (Info: here)

Driftwood: a tale of love and myth

And Driftwood, a new play by Tim Foley, revolves around two brothers trying to figure out what to do with their dying father. As they walk along the beach, a figure made of driftwood stalks the shores at night, adding mystery to this exploration of hope, love and belonging. Catch this mythic and touching production at Hereford College Of Arts, then Brecon’s Theatr Brycheiniog, Fri 27 Oct. (Info: here)

Political absurdism in Rhinoceros

Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece Rhinoceros has been translated into Welsh by Carnegie winner Manon Steffan Ros, and thanks to Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru is touring up and down the country from Tue 24 Oct-Sat 18 Nov – including the Sherman Theatre, Pontio in Bangor, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Pwllheli’s Neuadd Dwyfor, Newtown’s Hafren, Aberteifi’s Mwldan, Caernarfon’s Galeri, and the Taliesin. This surreal commentary on society, extremism and hatred is sure to leave you deep in thought after watching it. (Info: here)

The Welsh Woman In Black

A Welsh-language adapted premiere opens on Thurs 26 Oct at Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion –The Woman In Black, translated to Y Fenyw Mewn Du. Running in Porthcawl until Sat 28 Oct, you can then take the thrilling plunge at Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil (Thurs 2-Sat 4 Nov); Borough Theatre, Abergavenny (Fri 10 + Sat 11) and The Welfare, Ystradgynlais (Thurs 16-Sat 18). (Info: here)

Enter a neurodivergent brain in Head Set

Head Set is our next pick – a standout Edinburgh Fringe show from Victoria Melody that dives into the world of neurodivergent brains, the quest for a ‘cure’ for ADHD, and the journey towards accepting our true selves. It comes to Chapter Arts Centre on Mon 30 Oct. (Info: here)

All-ages puppetry: The King Of Nothing

Providing a bit of variety this Halloween, enjoy a puppet show for both children and adults alike with The King Of Nothing, a delightful puppet musical inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes. Aberdare’s Coliseum Theatre is where you’ll find it on Tue 31 Oct. (Info: here)

A princess rises in Branwen: Dadeni

As we move into November, there’s even more to find that’s different to a typical evening at the theatre. Another new Welsh language musical, Branwen: Dadeni revives this classic tale of the young princess as she discovers the sacrifices one must make to rule justly and create a fair world. With a brilliant Welsh cast, this showstopper can be seen at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 8-Sat 11 Nov. (Info: here)

Stranger Sings!: a rollicking musical parody

If you’re after something a little sillier, though, there’s another musical adaptation in town that same week: Stranger Sings!, a rollicking parody of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Travel back to the 80s at the New Theatre, Sat 8-Sat 11 Nov. No mouthbreathers allowed. (Info: here)

Hancock’s Half Hour revives ‘lost’ episodes

Travelling even further back in time, Apollo Theatre Co. will recreate Hancock’s Half Hour: The Lost Episodes at the Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. The production features a cast of lookalikes, with scripts are provided by writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, based on their unearthing of ‘lost’ material from the classic 1950s BBC radio comedy. Catch it on Sun 12 Nov. (Info: here)

Wordless fantasy: When The Dragons Came Back To Wales / The Planets

Finally, in Barry, Hummadruz, the Black-Light Theatre of Wales, present a one-night double-bill: When The Dragons Came Back To Wales / The Planets, two fantastical, wordless tales brought to vivid life through colour, light, and movement. It’s at the Memo Arts Centre on Sat 18 Nov. (Info: here)

words RHIANNON FARR