sunday 1
An Evening Of Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01600 772467. This is probably the same thing as A Night Of Dirty Dancing which is in Cwmbran and Porthcawl later this month, but I’m just going to call it what the venues do.
Jon Richardson St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Performing his show Old Man.
>Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday.
Mo The Comedian Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, £15. Info 0871 4720400. Formally known as Mo Gilligan, this gentleman is “one of the UK’s fastest-rising social media stars”. We’ll see how fast he rises when the Rapture arrives and only those who have lived a God-fearing and blameless life are permitted to ascend to heaven.
Poggle Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2 + 4.30pm, £4-£6. Info 01970 623232. Kids’ show incorporating dance, music and comedy.
Suzi Ruffell + Amy Howerska + Calum Stewart Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm, £6-£10. Info 029 2031 0312. Presented by Buffalo Comedy.
monday 2
Boxfull Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected]. Variety show.
Welcome To Night Vale Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Big hit podcast returns to Cardiff in live show form.
tuesday 3
Annie Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 01873 850805. Amateur production presented by ALOC. On at 2pm and 6.30pm on Sat 7. (Until Sat 7)
>Fame Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7pm, £14/£12.50. Info 01639 763214. Presented by the Briton Ferry Musical Theatre Company. On at 3pm on Sat 7. (Until Sat 7)
Golden Melodies The Met, Abertillery. 2pm, £7.50. Info 01600 772467. Variety show.
Not About Heroes Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £12. Info 0300 0040444. Stephen MacDonald’s play about the relationship between WWI poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. In Swansea on Fri 6 and Sat 7; Aberystwyth on Mon 30.
>One Man, Two Guvnors Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14.50/£12.50. Info 01495 227206. Black RAT’s production of this seminal British play, set in 1960s Brighton. In Maesteg on Sat 7, Aberystwyth Fri 13, Abergavenny Sat 14, Pontardawe Mon 16, Aberdare Tue 17, Carmarthen Thurs 19, Treorchy Sat 21, Cwmbran Mon 23, Porthcawl Wed 25, Cardigan Thurs 26, Newtown Sat 28, Brecon on Wed 1 Nov and Cardiff from Thurs 2-Sat 4 Nov. (Until Thurs 5)
>Our House Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £13-£30. Info 01792 475715. A musical based on the songs of the band Madness. Also on at 2.30pm tomorrow and Sat 7. (Until Sat 7)
Raft Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £8-£10. Info 01970 623232. New dance theatre production from critically acclaimed Welsh choreographer Gwyn Emberton. In Brecon on Thurs 5; Llanelli on Tue 10; Newport on Thurs 19; Newtown on Tue 24.
>The Ghost’s Touch! New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11.50-£29.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Spooky drama written by Wilkie Collins and starring people from Eastenders, Casualty, Holby City etc. Also at 2.30pm on Wed 4 and Thurs 5. (Until Thurs 5)
The Mountaintop Powys Dance Centre, Llandrindod Wells. 6.30pm, £10/£7. Info 01834 218228. Katori Hall’s fictional retelling of Martin Luther King’s final night before his assassination in 1968. In association with Black History Month Wales and Stand Up To Racism. In Llandewi Velfrey on Sat 7; Blackwood from Tue 10-Fri 13; Newport on Wed 18 and Thurs 19; Llanelli on Thurs 26 and Fri 27.
The Six Wives Of Henry VIII Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£12. Info 01239 621200. Living Spit present another of those plays-about-plays, this one featuring two rival actors who collaborate for a historical drama. In Builth Wells tomorrow.
wednesday 4
Dracula: The Bloody Truth Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232. New theatrical comedy, another play about a play – an attempt to stage a fact-based production about Dracula in Whitby.
>One-Hour Hamlet Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £5-£7. Info 01970 623232. New adaption of Hamlet by Half-light Productions. Gyles Brandreth just did his own production of Hamlet, bafflingly, and got flak for it being only 90 minutes long, so not sure what that makes this. On tomorrow also.
>South Pacific Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 0300 0040444. Musical presented by Showcase Performing Arts Society. (Until Sat 7)
The Six Wives Of Henry VIII Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £14/£13. Info 01982 552555.
Whitechapel Freaks Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 0300 3656677. Macabre Victorian cabaret loosely themed around Jack The Ripper. Sounds problematic.
thursday 5
Leaf By Niggle Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01792 863722. A Tolkein short story, presented for the stage by Puppet State Theatre. In Cardiff tomorrow; Blackwood Sat 7; Newport Tue 10; Brecon Wed 11.
Luisa Omielan Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £14. Info 0871 4720400. Comedian, or comedienne as the Daily Mail style guide would insist she be called. Her show is titled Am I Right Ladies!? so perhaps she would too.
>Not About Heroes Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 602060. On tomorrow also, at 11am (schools performance) and 7.30pm.
Raft Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 01874 611622.
Seilioc Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.15pm, £11/£6 schools. Info 01792 475715. That’s Shylock in Welsh, which also describes this one-man production featuring Rhodri Miles. In Maesteg on Fri 13; Ammanford Sat 14; Carmarthen on Wed 25.
Showstopper! Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £15. Info 0300 0040444. An improvised musical which has visited south Wales a few times before I believe.
The Last Post The Met, Abertillery. 7.30pm, £5/£4. Info 01600 772467. A cast of local people perform a musical play (with films) about WWI. In Cwmbran on Tue 10; Merthyr on Tue 24.
friday 6
>Drones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Also on Fri 20.
Eleanor Conway Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.45pm, £10.50/£9.50. Info 01792 475715. Standup show entitled Walk Of Shame.
>Eugene Onegin Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. Tchaikovsky’s opera, based on the Pushkin novel and part of the R17 season of music. Also on Fri 13.
>Gavin Webster + Gordon Southern + George Egg Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£17.95/£10 NUS).
Leaf By Niggle Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6-£14. Info 029 2039 1391.
Paul Foot The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £15. Info 01633 656757. Comedian performs his show ‘Tis Pity She’s A Piglet.
Sean Kempton Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8-£12. Info 01239 621200. Clownish quasi-comedy show from Cirque Du Soleil’s lead clown. In Llanelli tomorrow.
Stute Comedy Nights Miners Institute, Blackwood. 8pm, £12.50/£11.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. Monthly night with acts TBC.
Tudur Owen + Andrew Watts + Jess Fostekew Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 0845 2263510. Cabaret Coch Cymru comedy night.
saturday 7
A Fete Worse Than Death Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.45pm, £10. Info 01792 475715. This was apparently a hit ‘at the Fringe’ last year and is set at a fete in a south Wales village with a made-up name. Going on the description it sounds like some awful aren’t-proles-hilarious rubbish but hey, prove me wrong guys.
Barry Dodds + Mike Cox Jongleurs, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960.
Ben Phillips: Live Cinematic Experience New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £27-£72. Info 029 2087 8889. This is some lad from Bridgend who makes YouTube prank videos called things like ‘Tattoo Makeup Prank! – I’m a transsexual!!!’ and ‘Slave Doll PRANK!!! – Call me Vagina’. Nine million people like him on Facebook. Coincidentally I just became an advocate for genocide this morning.
Dr John Cooper Clarke The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 7pm, £15. Info 01497 821762. Punk poet, presented here by The Poetry Bookshop.
Golden Thread Playback Theatre Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 1pm, £3-£7/free under-5s. Info 029 2030 4400.
Jeremy Hardy Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £14/£5 unwaged. Info 01792 863722.
Khovanshchina Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. Mussorgsky’s epic opera, set in 17th-century Russia and part of the R17 season of music.
King Arthur The Riverfront, Newport. 1.30 + 4.30pm, £11/£10 kids. Info 01633 656757. Story Pocket Theatre present Michael Morpurgo’s adaption of the novel Arthur: High King Of Britain.
Leaf By Niggle Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7pm, £7.50-£12.50. Info 01495 227206.
One Man, Two Guvnors Maesteg Town Hall. 7.30pm, £15.50/£14.50. Info 01656 733269.
>Operasonic: Nightmare Scenario The Riverfront, Newport. 11am + 2pm, £7. Info 01633 656757. “An edgy and immersive musical mystery” devised by Aggie Corno. On tomorrow also.
Sandi Smith + Sianny Thomas + Sam Lloyd + David Davies + Paul James + Matt Stellingwerf Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 01443 491424. Clwb Comedy night.
Sean Kempton Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 2pm, free. Info 0845 2263510. Book in advance please.
Theatre-In-Focus: Caryl Churchill Circle Bar, Grand Theatre, Swansea. 12.30pm, £6/£4.50. Info 01792 475715. An hour-long talk by Fluellen Theatre Company’s Director, Peter Richards, followed by a script-in-hand performance of Churchill’s work.
The Mountaintop Llanddewi Velfrey Village Hall. 7.30pm, £6-£10. Info 01834 218228.
Trumpageddon Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. This is an “absurdist satire” of Donald Trump’s foray into politics, which premiered last year before he had won the Republican candidacy. So, uh, I guess it’ll be slightly different this time around.
sunday 8
>From The House Of The Dead Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 4pm, £10-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. Welsh National Opera present David Pountney’s production, set in a Siberian prison, written by Janácek and based on Dostoyevsky’s writings. Also on Thurs 12, at 7.30pm.
Impractical Jokers Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 4.30 + 8pm, £35-£64. Info 029 2022 4488. “Impractical Jokers is an American hidden camera-practical joke reality series that … follows the four members of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins as they coerce one another into doing public pranks while being filmed by hidden cameras.” Say what you will about Beadle’s About, they never tried to turn it into an arena tour.
NOS Afternoon Tea Dolman Theatre, Newport. 2.30pm, £8. Info 01633 263670. Cabaret in a 1930s style plus traditional high tea.
monday 9
Caterpillar Comedy Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Open mic standup night hosted by James Dunn.
>Hollti Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01239 621200. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru present a play about local north Wales community and its response to change and capitalism. On tomorrow also; in Carmarthen on Thurs 12 and Fri 13; Aberystwyth Mon 16 and Tue 17; Cardiff Thurs 19 and Fri 20.
Rip It Up St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £21-£75. Info 029 2087 8444. Three people off Strictly dance to a backing of 50s music.
tuesday 10
An Evening Of Flamenco Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £8-£10. Info 01970 623232. With dancer Rebeca Ortega and guitarist/singer Martín Revuelo Jr.
>Deathtrap New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£32.50. Info 029 2087 8889. More Eastenders (should specify Jessie Wallace because I actually know who she is) and Holby City folk star in this scary thriller. Also at 2.30pm on Wed 11, Thurs 12 and Sat 14. (Until Sat 14)
Leaf By Niggle The Riverfront, Newport. 7pm, £12. Info 01633 656757.
>My Name Is Rachel Corrie The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2128 0189. The debut from Cardiff-based theatre company Graphic is a 2005 production based on the writings of Corrie, an American student who travels to Gaza to do activist work. Today is a preview; hereafter tickets will be £12 or £10 concessions. Also on at 3pm on Sat 21. No performance on Sun 15. (Until Sat 21)
Raft Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, free. Info 0845 2263510. Book in advance please.
Rhondda Road Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 4pm, free. Info 0300 0040444. This is a new venture (launched last month strictly speaking) which will take place here on the second Tuesday of each month and is a continual theatrical drama. Kinda like a live action soap opera, yep. Book in advance please.
Roger Bafico Dolman Theatre, Newport. 2pm, £7 adv. Info 01633 263670. Magician.
The Last Post Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 6.30pm, £5/£4 kids. Info 01633 868239.
>The Mountaintop Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £10.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. On tomorrow also.
wednesday 11
>Comic Potential Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7.30pm, £12/£11. Info 029 2070 0721. Alan Ayckbourn play. (Until Sat 14)
Kathakali Atrium, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01239 621200. Sacred theatre from south India. In Newtown on Fri 13; Cardigan on Tue 17; Brecon on Wed 18; Pontardawe on Thurs 19 and Aberystwyth on Fri 20.
>King Arthur Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 6.30pm, £12.50/£9. Info 0845 2263510. Presented by Story Pocket Theatre. On tomorrow also, at 10am.
Leaf By Niggle Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01874 611622.
Leviathan Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232. Dance production based on Moby Dick, presented by James Wilton Dance. In Swansea on Fri 13.
>Madame Butterfly Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £24.50-£31.50. Info 01792 475715. Presented by the Russian State Opera. A Swansea International Festival event. On tomorrow also.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £8.50-£18. Info 01646 695267. Based on the novel by Ken Kesey, directed by Peter Doran and presented by the Torch Theatre Company. Also on at 2pm on Wed 18 and Wed 25. Mon 16 is a British Sign Language performance. No performance on Sun 15 or Sun 22. (Until Sat 28)
Pajama Men Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12-£14. Info 029 2030 4400. Comedy theatre hosted by Little Wander.
Russell Brand St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £27.50. Info 029 2087 8444. See Upfront, I think. Might be dependent on if he wants to talk to us.
The Hunting Of The Snark Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 1.30pm, £6.50. Info 01873 850805. Musical comedy a la Lewis Carroll, aimed at ages 4+. In Swansea tomorrow.
Tom Stade Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £17.50/£16 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. See Upfront.
thursday 12
Andrew Bird + Matt Rees + Abigoliah Schamaun Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01834 869323. Comedy Club night.
A Night Of Dirty Dancing Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £20. Info 01633 868239. “Please note this show is not affiliated with Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage currently on tour in the UK and worldwide.”
David Earl The Duke, Neath. 8pm, £8. Info 01639 643892. Standup comedy from a guy who was in Derek with Ricky Gervais, for his sins, and takes on the alter ego of Brian Gittins, ‘the world’s worst comedian’.
>Granny Annie Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £13.50/£13. Info 01656 815995. Frank Vickery comedy presented by Phoenix Theatre. (Until Sat 14)
Granton Street Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.15pm, £10.50/£8. Info 01792 475715. Play set in a mining home on the eve of a general election. A Swansea International Festival event. On tomorrow also, at 1pm and 7.15pm.
>Hollti Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. On tomorrow also.
Katie Bonna The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £12/£10. Info 01633 656757. Presenting her show All The Things I Lied About.
Nick Helm Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £12. Info 0871 4720400.
Nolton Comedy Nolton Corner, Bridgend. 7.30pm, free. Info 01656 655015. With standups TBC, every second Thursday of the month.
Phill Jupitus Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £15. Info 01970 623232. Enduring UK comedian with a show titled Juplicity.
>Say When Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2030 4400. Living Pictures present a new play about one man’s efforts to combat middle-aged spread. (Until Sat 14)
The Hunting Of The Snark Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 1 + 4.30pm, £10. Info 01792 602060.
Tosca Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £24.50-£31.50. Info 01792 475715. Opera, presented by Russian State Opera.
friday 13
>David Trent + Paul F Taylor + Martin Mór + Nigel Ng Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also, with Ng replaced by a comic TBC (£17.95/£10 NUS).
Drew Taylor + Steffan Evans + Col Howarth Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 0300 0040444. Welsh standups.
Jo Brand Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01792 475715. A Swansea International Festival event.
Kathakali Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £10/£5 kids. Info 01686 614555.
Leviathan Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01792 602060. Part of Swansea International Festival.
One Man, Two Guvnors Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12-£14. Info 01970 623232.
Sieiloc Maesteg Town Hall. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01656 733269.
>The Cherry Orchard Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8-£26. Info 029 2064 6900. Gary Owen and Rachel O’Riordan’s remake of the Chekhov play, set in early 80s Wales. On at 7pm on Tue 17; 2pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 19 and Sat 28. Fri 20 is an audio described performance; Fri 27 a captioned performance, Sat 28 2pm a dementia-friendly performance. (Until Sat 28)
The Faaaabulous Ceri Dupree Show Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £16 adv. Info 0300 3656677.
The Light Princess Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 01874 611622. Circus-meets-ballet production, presented by Ballet Cymru. In Swansea tomorrow.
saturday 14
Bluestocking Lounge Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £15.50. Info 01792 475715. Regular burlesque show, this month featuring Velma Von BonBon, Tueday Laveau and host DeeDee De La Rouge.
Die Fledermaus Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £10-£48. Info 029 2063 6464. Welsh National Opera present this Strauss operatic staple.
Hello Cabaret Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 9pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464.
Joel Dommett St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £18.50/£15.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Comedian.
Josh Howie Jongleurs, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960. More acts TBC I’m sure.
Mark Watson Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £18. Info 01685 384111. The premise of this tour is that it will exclusively visit places beginning with the same letter as Mark’s first or last name. Strongly suspect that he forgot to come up with any kind of plan for the tour, pulled this out of his arse on the spot and now has to go through with it.
One Man, Two Guvnors Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01873 850805.
One Vision Miners Institute, Blackwood. 6.30pm, £7 adv. Info 01495 227206. Variety show.
Shark In The Park Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2pm, £12/£10. Info 01874 611622. Kids’ show based on some books.
Sielioc Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510.
The Diana’s Glitter Hole Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 6.30pm, £6-£8. Info 01495 243252. Variety drag show featuring performances from Felix Love & Sam Clark, Cressida Wolf, Gentleman Jack, Mollie Poppin, Pom Pom and Demi Gorgon. Hosted by Lucy Fur & Lilith The Gag Hag; followed by an after-party featuring music from DJ Sissy Boy Tears.
The Light Princess Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.50-£14.50. Info 01792 475715. A Swansea International Festival event.
sunday 15
Peter Karrie & Mike Sterling Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2089 0862. Former West End stars discuss showbiz and sing some songs.
The Hartlepool Monkey Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. This sounds neat: a modern opera (solo soprano, string quartet and loop pedals) based on Carol Ann Duffy’s poems written from the POV of famous historical men’s wives. In Brecon on Thurs 19; Swansea on Sat 21; Aberystwyth on Tue 24 and Wed 25.
monday 16
Formby Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£14. Info 01239 621200. George Formby paid tribute to in a one-man show featuring Ewan Wardrop.
>Hollti Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232. On tomorrow also.
One Man, Two Guvnors Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£12. Info 01792 863722.
Simon Day Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £20. Info 0871 4720400. Simon Day is my favourite ex-Fast Show cast member. I wasn’t certain he still had a career to be frank, but here he is doing an ‘in character’ show.
>Sunset Boulevard Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £23.50-£49.50. Info 01792 475715. Lloyd Webber musical starring Ria Jones and Danny Mac. Also at 2.30pm on Thurs 19 and Sat 21. (Until Sat 21)
tuesday 17
An As Yet Untitled Play About Two People In An Underground Bunker Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £5. Info 01970 623232. This rehearsed reading is presented by Playpen and I think is actually as yet untitled, rather than having a wilfully confusing title.
>Cabaret New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50-£44. Info 029 2087 8889. Famous musical set in 1930s Berlin and starring Will Young and Louise Redknapp [subs – change surname if quickie divorce goes through]. Also at 2.30pm on Wed 18, Thurs 19 and Sat 21. (Until Sat 21)
>Goodnight Mr Tom Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50. Info 01633 263670. Presented by Newport Playgoers Society. Also on at 2.30pm on Sat 21. (Until Sat 21)
Kathakali Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£15. Info 01239 621200. Sacred theatre from south India. In Pontardawe on Thurs 19.
>One Man, Two Guvnors Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 0300 0040444. On tomorrow also, at 1pm.
>Slava’s Snowshow Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £14-£34. Info 029 2063 6464. It’s not totally clear what happens in this but it’s been called a theatrical sensation by the Daily Mail and an award-winning international sensation by whoever was writing the blurb for it. Also on at 2pm on Thurs 19 and Sat 21 (£14-£36 for those). (Until Sat 21)
>The Hartlepool Monkey Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Family show based on the tale of the chimp who washed up in Hartlepool off a ship and was taken for a spy by the townspeople. Also on at 2pm on Thurs 19 and Sat 21. (Until Sat 21)
wednesday 18
Kathakali Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01874 611622.
Nocturnes Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232. Imitating The Dog present their take on a 50s spy thriller. Previewed in last month’s issue.
>Of Mice And Men Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Steinbeck’s most famous play, presented here by August 012. Also on at 12.30pm on Fri 20, Wed 25 and Thurs 26; 8pm on Sat 28. No performances from Sun 22-Tue 24. (Until Sat 28)
>Rock Of Ages The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £8. Info 01600 772467. Eighties rock musical. (Until Sat 21)
The Dad’s Army Variety Show Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 2.30pm, £15 adv. Info 01600 772467. Whooping it up wartime style with a Vera Lynn tribute among other things. The poster has omitted the apostrophe from ‘Dad’s’ but added a superfluous one to ‘1940s’. In Cwmbran on Wed 25.
>The Mountaintop The Riverfront, Newport. 10am + 6pm, £12/£10. Info 01633 656757. On tomorrow also.
thursday 19
>Bin Laden: The One Man Show Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £7.50-£15. Info 029 2064 6900. Knaïve Theatre’s show which “sensitively asks the [audience] to re-examine their thoughts and feelings on the Bin Laden myth and look again at the causes and possible solutions to the Middle Eastern conflict.” I bet this doesn’t stop them getting grief off concern trolls though. See Stage. On tomorrow also.
>Hollti Atrium, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2030 4400. On tomorrow also. A Chapter offsite presentation.
Jethro Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01633 868239. Jethro is 70 next year and in all fairness looks good for his age BUT I question the value of dyeing his hair while keeping his beard and sideburns grey.
Just A Bit Of Banter Pen & Wig, Newport. 7.30pm, £4/£3.50 adv. Info 01633 666818. Play written by Julie Benson and presented by Reality Theatre. Part of a week of anti-hate crime events in Newport.
>Justice Is A Woman Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. Play in which an English QC defends a youth suspected of murder but the truth proves far from straightforward. (Until Sat 21)
Kathakali Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 01792 863722.
One Man, Two Guvnors Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £14/£12. Info 0845 2263510.
Raft The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £9-£13. Info 01633 656757.
Richard III Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £6-£13. Info 029 2039 1391. Shakespeare, presented by the Richard Burton Company. Also on at 2.30pm on Wed 25. Not performances on Sun 22 or Mon 23. (Until Sat 28)
>Sister Act Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £12.50. Info 01686 614555. Presented by the Newtown Musical Theatre Company. Also on at 2.30pm on Sat 21. (Until Sat 21)
Tales Of A Welsh Rare Bit Carnegie House, Bridgend. 1-2pm, £6.50. Info 01656 815757. Lunchtime theatre about an outwardly sucessful businesswoman beset by crises.
>The Snow Queen Maesteg Town Hall. 7.15pm, £10/£8. Info 01656 733269. Musical presented by Maesteg Amateur Operatic Society. Also on at 2.30pm on Sat 21. (Until Sat 21)
*Yianni Agislaou Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £12. Info 0871 4720400. This is a show about The Simpsons and the impact it’s had on Yianni’s life in various ways. Sounds good/relevant to my interests.
friday 20
Comedy Night Carnegie House, Bridgend. 8pm, £9/£7.50 adv. Info 01656 815757. With three standups TBC.
Jane Eyre Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01873 850805. Presented by Dyad Productions.
Jenny Eclair Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £17.50 adv. Info 01600 772467.
Kathakali Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232.
Lili La Scala Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Cabaret fave.
>Little Wolf Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. A present-day retelling of Ibsen’s classic Little Eyolf from writer and director Simon Harris. Mon 23 features a post-show talk; Thurs 26 is captioned. No show on Sun 22. (Until Sat 28)
Pete Firman Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 6.30pm, £18/£15 adv. Info 01495 243252. Comedy magician.
>Stars In The Morning Sky Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6-£13. Info 029 2039 1391. Alexander Galin’s play, set at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and presented by the Richard Burton Company. Also on at 2.30pm on Thurs 26. Not performances on Sun 22 or Mon 23. (Until Sat 28)
>The Noise Next Door + Andy Robinson + Larry Dean + John Gordillo Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£17.95/£10 NUS).
saturday 21
Andy Parsons The Riverfront, Newport. 8pm, £16. Info 01633 656757. Performing a set titled Peak Bullshit. Disregarding non-canon twee compound words like ‘cockwomble’ etc, I would say that ‘bullshit’ is my least favourite swearword. Just never liked it.
Dancing The World Into Being The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762. Show presented by The Dancing Floor and also featuring music from folk group The Village Quire.
Jan Ravens Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 8pm, £15/£14. Info 01239 621200. Comedian with a show called Difficult Woman, in which she does impersonations of female politicians.
Liam Pickford Jongleurs, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960.
Mary Bijou Cabaret & Social Club Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Cardiff-based cabaret/circus collective.
One Man, Two Guvnors Parc & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 0300 0040444.
sunday 22
10 Minute Musicals Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 6pm, £6. Info 01970 623232. Leeway Productions showcase five new musicals in their developmental stages. This presumably means they are going to be longer, which I think is a shame as 10 minutes is probably about as much as I could stand of a musical.
Dansation XIII St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 6pm, £12/£11. Info 029 2087 8444. With the Debbie Chapman Dancers.
Great Odds Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £6-£8. Info 01970 623232. Kids’ theatre show.
Spooky Spectacular Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 2pm, £9/£8. Info 01639 763214.
monday 23
One Man, Two Guvnors Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £14/£12. Info 01633 868239.
tuesday 24
>As A Tiger In The Jungle Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8.15pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Using spoken word, movement, circus and ceremony, three performers from Asia tell the story of how against all odds they survived their childhood and created their own destiny. On tomorrow also.
>P.A.R.A.D.E Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10-£26. Info 029 2063 6464. Dance, music and acrobatics from National Dance Company Wales and artist Marc Rees. R17-related performance which we wrote about last month. On at 1pm (£10) and 7pm tomorrow.
Raft Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £8. Info 01686 614555.
>The Hartlepool Monkey Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 01970 623232. On tomorrow also.
The Last Post Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, £5/£4. Info 01685 384111.
wednesday 25
A Night Of Dirty Dancing Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01639 763214.
Comedy Club Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £11. Info 01792 475715.
>Micky Flanagan Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 8pm, from £32.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Some tickets are (at time of typing) available for today and tomorrow but Fri 27 and Sat 28 are sold out. How is this guy so popular??? (Until Sat 28)
One Man, Two Guvnors Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £15.50/£14.50. Info 01656 815995.
>Peppa Pig’s Adventure New Theatre, Cardiff. 10am, 1pm + 4pm, £11.50-£18.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Kids’ show. On tomorrow also.
Sielioc Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510.
>Sister Act Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £9-£12. Info 0300 0040444. Musical, presented by Colstars. (Until Sat 28)
>Sister Act Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50. Info 01633 263670. Musical, presented by CentreStage Cymru. Probably a coincidence that two local companies are doing this one in the same week. (Until Sat 28)
Strange Tales From The Darker Side Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7.30pm, £9. Info 0845 2263510. “Dr Nicolas Grimoire presents an evening of Magic and Mystery blended with the most unusual Tales of the Unexpected.”
The Dad’s Army Variety Show Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2.30pm, £16. Info 01633 868239.
thursday 26
Jim Davidson Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £22.50. Info 01633 868239. A new tour celebrating 40 years in showbusiness… [imagine a swelling orchestra and glamorous dancers high-kicking for this bit] each one more racist than the last!
Milton Jones St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £26. Info 029 2087 8444. Comedian.
One Man, Two Guvnors Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £14/£13. Info 01239 621200.
>The Mountaintop Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 10am + 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. On tomorrow also, at 1.30pm and 7.30pm.
friday 27
Fright Night Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01495 243252. This is billed an “interactive Halloween experience” and takes place all around the building. The venue reckon it’s dead scary and to maybe give it a miss if you have a dicky heart or similar. They might just be covering their arse though.
>Marlon Davis + Caimh McDonnell + John Scott Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £15.95/£8 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also, with Roger Monkhouse also featuring (£17.95/£10 NUS).
Mitch Benn Pontardawe Arts Centre. 8pm, £14/£12 adv. Info 01792 863722. Comedian with a show titled Don’t Fear The Reaper.
Peter Brush & Headluv + Passman + Nicola Mantalios Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 8pm, £10. Info 01874 611622. Comedy, presented by Little Wander.
saturday 28
Ben Briggs + Richard Massara + Russell Hicks Jongleurs, Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £16. Info 08700 111960.
Jimmy Carr St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £27.50. Info 029 2087 8444. I find it really unsettling when a blurb for a comedian’s tour has no jokes or even attempts at wit, just a totally po-faced gush of praise for the act in question. The one for this show is an example of this.
One Man, Two Guvnors Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £11/£9. Info 01686 614555.
Spinning Out Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 6.30pm, free. Info 0845 2263510. Acrobatic circus/dance performance.
Sleight Of Mind Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 12.30pm, £6/£4.50. Info 01792 475715. Lunchtime theatre presented by Fluellen.
Tap Factory New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14-£25. Info 029 2087 8889. “An international hit-show for all the family, featuring urban tap dance, percussion, comedy and acrobatics,” they insist.
The Magic Flute Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £18.50/£17.50. Info 01495 227206. Opera, presented here by Heritage Opera.
The Spook Factor Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 6.30pm, £5. Info 07512 237983. A play with music written by Phil Carley.
sunday 29
Crafty’s Creepy Castle Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 1pm, £9/£8 under-16s. Info 01600 772467. Kids’ theatre show. In Abertillery tomorrow; Neath on Tue 31.
In One Lifetime Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 1 + 6.30pm, £12/£8. Info 0845 2263510. Show by the Dani Dee Dancers.
monday 30
>Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15-£45. Info 029 2063 6464. It’s a musical. About Carole King. This is its first time touring the UK and it’s previously won an Olivier award. Also on at 2.30pm on Wed 1, Thurs 2 and Sat 4 Nov. (Until Sat 4 Nov)
Crafty’s Creepy Castle The Met, Abertillery. 2pm, £8.50/£6.50 kids. Info 01600 772467.
Milkshake! Live Grand Theatre, Swansea. 12 + 3.30pm, £15.50/£14. Info 01792 475715. Kids’ variety show fave. In Aberystwyth tomorrow.
Not About Heroes Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£12. Info 01970 623232.
Peter & The Wolf Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 1 + 3pm, free. Info 0845 2263510. Kids’ show presented by theatre company Goblin.
Sing-a-long-a Beauty & The Beast St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 2 + 7pm, £14/£11. Info 029 2087 8444.
>Singin’ In The Rain Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7pm, £12/£9. Info 01639 763214. Presented by PTAOS Youth. (Until Wed 1 Nov)
tuesday 31
Burlesque Goes Rocky Horror Minsky’s Showbar, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2023 3128. Featuring appearances from Talulah Blue, FooFoo Labelle, Dee Dee Desire, Dominique V Flook, The Sisterhood and two live sets from Cardiff psych-rock band Lacertilia.
Cafficadabra Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7-9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Joseff Badman, a magician, performs for free in the bar.
>Cilla The Musical New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17.50-£46.50. Info 029 2087 8889. The story of Cilla Black, specifically her early years of 1960s Scouse pop fame rather than her later ones of being horrible to air hostesses. Also at 2.30pm on Wed 1, Thurs 2 and Sat 4 Nov. (Until Sat 4 Nov)
Crafty’s Creepy Castle Gwyn Hall, Neath. 11.30am, £6.50 adv. Info 0300 3656677.
>Death And The Maiden The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2128 0189. Fio presents Ariel Dorfman’s play, directed by Abdul Shayek. Today is a preview; hereafter tickets will be £12 or £10 concessions. Also on at 3pm on Sat 4 Nov. No performance on Sun 5 Nov. (Until Fri 10 Nov)
>Empire Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £10.50/£9.50. Info 01633 868239. Variety show performed by pupils from Charlotte May Academy. On at 2pm and 7pm on Sat 4 Nov. (Until Sat 4 Nov)
>Hairspray Jr & Showcase Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £10. Info 01873 850805. Amateur production from Junior AAODS, who will perform the cult musical plus a selection of other things. On at 6.30pm on Sat 4 Nov. (Until Sat 4 Nov)
>How To Win Against History Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £8-£10. Info 01970 623232. A new musical about Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquis Of Anglesey. On tomorrow also.
Jollytotz Halloween Pontardawe Arts Centre. 10.30am, £5/£3. Info 01792 863722.
Milkshake! Live Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 11am + 3pm, £13-£15. Info 01970 623232.
The Nutcracker Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £24.50-£31.50. Info 01792 475715. Presented by The Russian State Ballet and Opera House.
The Snow Dragon The Riverfront, Newport. 11.30am + 2.30pm, £7. Info 01633 656757. Show for ages 3+, presented by Tall Stories.
Tim Bromage Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2030 4400. Pay-what-you-will show titled The Hunter And The Bleak and comprising poetry and magic.
