JIMMY CARR: TERRIBLY FUNNY
Proving political correctness has no place in his standup routines, Terribly Funny will see Carr, in his signature tongue-in-cheek style, covering topics that may be considered offensive in polite conversation.
Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot, Wed 18 + Thurs 19 Dec. Tickets: £32-£40. Info: 01639 763214 / www.npttheatres.co.uk
SIX: THE MUSICAL
Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Todd, this musical – which garnered rave reviews for its London West End run – revolves around the six wives of Henry VIII, who each take to the mic and finally have their say. They may have been divorced, and even beheaded, but they are still very much alive.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Tues 21-Sat 25 Jan. Tickets: £15.50-£38.50. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
BROOKE LYNN HYTES: QUEEN OF THE NORTH POLE
The lip-sync assassin and runner-up of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 returns to the Glee Club with a special festive show. Famed for her iconic dance routines and her alluring take on traditional pageant-drag looks, we’re all dreaming of a Hytes Christmas.
Glee Club, Cardiff Bay, Tue 17 Dec. Tickets: £20/£35 VIP. Info: 0871 4720400 / www.glee.co.uk
JOHN ABELL
On the 180th anniversary of the Rebecca Riots (1839-44), when cross-dressing farmers protested unfair taxation across mid and west Wales, John Abell premieres his works with a three-week residency in Newton House. Abell presents seven new pieces, in the first artist residency ever to be undertaken by the National Trust at Dinefwr.
Newton House, Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo, from Fri 17 Jan. Admission: £8.50. Info: 01558 824512 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr
GAVIN & STACEY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Since Gavin & Stacey stopped filming in 2010, a hole has been left in our hearts, and so many unanswered questions. Did Stacey have her baby? Do Smithy and Nessa get together? What really happened on that fishing trip? After nine years, we will finally be able to rest easy and find out what’s occurring when it airs on Christmas Day. Catch Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon at National Museum Cardiff on Mon 9 Dec as part of BBC Writersroom Wales Festival.
BBC One, Wed 25 Dec
SANDI TOKSVIG: NATIONAL TREVOR
Have you always wondered what it takes to become a national treasure? Neither have we. But if anyone has earned the right to tell us, it’s Sandi Toksvig, star of QI, Fifteen To One and The Great British Bake Off. Her one-woman show makes a welcome return.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Thurs 9 Jan. Tickets: £21.50-£26.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
CONNIE ORFF: A CHRISTMAS CON
The bilingual Welsh drag queen returns to the WMC with her special festive show. It’s a mix of seasonal songs and madcap comedy that promises to provide a respite from the rampant commercialism that has come to characterise the festive season.
Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 6 Dec. Tickets: £15. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB
Since January 2019, these indie favourites from London’s Crouch End have gone back to playing music together after a three-year hiatus. Their sound blends folk, electronica and world music influences, setting them apart from all those copycat guitar bands.
Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 24 Jan. Tickets: £29.50. Info: 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents.com
MEDIAEVAL BAEBES
The unique, ethereal choral group stop off in Cardiff for a special December concert on their Winter Tour. With three chart-topping classical albums, an Ivor Novello award, and numerous sellout tours, they have established their place as one of the most exciting female-led ensembles for early music and folk in Europe.
Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff, Thurs 12 Dec. Tickets: £20. Info: 029 2089 0862 / www.acapela.co.uk
THE CLOSER WE ARE
With Brexit weighing heavily over our heads, the divides forming between people are strongly and painfully felt. This exhibition at Swansea’s Elysium Gallery brings together five European and five Welsh artists, in what has been described as a ‘positivist’ attempt to bring a sliver of calm out of the chaos.
Elysium Gallery, Swansea, until Sat 28 Dec. Admission: free. Info: 07980 925449 / www.elysiumgallery.com
SHEELANAGIG
Offering traditional folk music with a contemporary twist, the Sheelanagig quintet dance and jive their way to Cardiff. Promising to be a gig of epic proportions, this is sure to transport you back to those summer festivals vibes, even if it might be snowing outside.
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 6 Dec. Tickets: £12. Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net
STEWART FRANCIS: INTO THE PUNSET
Promising to be his last tour ever, Stewart Francis – a regular on Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo – makes his way to Aberystwyth to deliver a collection of puns and witticisms. Christened “one of the funniest comedians in the world” by Craig Ferguson, this may well be your very last chance to see the Canadian gagmaster in action.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Thurs 6 Dec. Tickets: £21.50. Info: 01970 623232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
CATRIN FINCH & CIMARRÓN
Having previously collaborated with the likes of Toumani Diabate, esteemed Welsh harpist Catrin Finch teams up with Colombian joropo band Cimarrón on this UK tour, booked by Cardigan’s Theatr Mwldan. Beginning there on Mon 20 Jan, they continue to Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon (Tue 28), Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Wed 29) and Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea (Fri 31).
Tickets: £17-£22. Info: 01239 621200 / mwldan.co.uk
