From drama to comedy to dance to puppetry to things that tick multiples of those boxes, there’s examples of it sauntering through Wales – theatrically, of course – between now and May. So it made sense for Hari Berrow to wax lyrical about some of it.
Housemates
Sherman Theatre and Hijinx’s iconic 2023 production is coming back with a bang this month. Joe Murphy and Ben Pettitt-Wade direct Tim Green’s incredible script, which tells the true story of the young students of 1970s Cardiff who worked with disabled residents of Ely Hospital to ensure they could finally leave the institution where they were unfairly trapped, and have the opportunity to show they were capable of living – and thriving – in mainstream society. In time, this ‘experiment’ helped to close 96 institutions where adults with learning disabilities were unfairly kept from experiencing everyday life.
Funny, joyful and poignant, Housemates features a live band and a cast of neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians, including members of the Hijinx Academy. Met with rave reviews on opening the autumn before last, it was many audience members’ highlight of the theatrical year, and it returns to the Sherman at the end of the month before travelling to Aberystwyth and Milford Haven. If you didn’t catch Housemates then, make sure you do now.
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Sat 22 Feb-Sat 8 Mar; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Thurs 27-Sat 29 Mar; Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Wed 2-Fri 4 Apr
Tickets: £16-£29. Info: here
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
In 2017, Sally Cookson’s production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe broke box office records when it premiered. The show was a hit, selling out on its first run and getting a West End revival in 2022, and this month it comes to the Wales Millennium Centre on a tour lasting the entirety of 2025.
Based on the beloved children’s book by C. S. Lewis, the show follows a set of siblings as they travel to the magical world of Narnia and try to rescue their brother from the chilling White Witch. The show boasts incredible set design, large-scale puppetry, impressive illusions, and a huge cast. It promises to be one of the most exciting shows visiting the venue this year; tickets are selling really fast, with already limited availability for weekend performances.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 11-Sat 15 Feb
Tickets: £15-£95. Info: here
Byth Bythoedd Amen
Theatr Cymru – recently renamed from Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru – return to magical realism and the fantastic for this new piece about the difficulties of living as a young disabled person in a world designed for the mainstream. Byth Bythoedd Amen, which debuted last month, introduces us to Lottie who, on a night full of shots, drunken shouting and Tinder scrolling, finds herself getting lost in memories, the line between reality and imagination blurring as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness.
Written by disabled writer and advocate Mared Jarman, this show is one to note for d/Deaf and disabled theatre lovers. The show is supported by Craidd, a theatrical organisation committed to improving the representation of d/Deaf and disabled people, and all performances will be audio-described in Welsh, have captions in both English and Welsh and be preceded by a touch tour.
Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli, Mon 3 Feb; Y Stiwt, Wrexham, Wed 5; Pontio, Bangor, Sat 8, Galeri, Caernarfon, Tue 11; Theatr Felinfach, Dyffryn Aeron, Thurs 13.
Tickets: £14/£10. Info: here
Tidy
One for readers with little ones, Polka and Theatr Iolo’s coproduction of Tidy will be touring Wales in spring, with dates and venues to be confirmed at press time. Adapted from Emily Gravett’s popular picture book, Tidy tells the story of Pete the badger, who prizes neatness in his part of the forest – a little too much, actually. What starts as just picking up a fallen leaf ends up putting the whole forest in danger.
A good introduction to the importance of being kind to nature, Tidy boasts gorgeous puppetry, beautiful set design and music from Gagglebabble’s Lucy Rivers. When the show made its bow last year, in London’s Polka theatre, it had some great responses – parenting website the Daily Mumtra called it “a wonderful treat for all the family”. The show is best suited for children aged 3-7, and will have performances in English and Welsh across the tour.
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 11-Sat 15 Feb (info), then on tour.
Info: theatriolo.com/tidy
Jazz Emu
British-born, America-based musical comedian Archie Henderson’s Jazz Emu is a social media sensation, with over 450,000 subscribers on YouTube. He’s featured on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, has appeared on Radios 3 and 4, and was crowned the Guardian’s breakout comedy act of 2023. Now he brings Knight Fever, his “new narrative music odyssey”, to Cardiff in March.
Jazz Emu and his band The Cosmique Perfectión are on the brink of realizing their wildest dreams. They’ve clinched the coveted headline slot at the Royal Variety Show, and Jazz Emu finally has the chance to secure his long-yearned-for knighthood, crowning glory for a life of relentless ambition. But the path to that glory is anything but smooth: recent criminal allegations threaten to derail everything, casting a shadow over what should be his finest hour. His unique retro-feel persona is a joy to watch: the chronically online among us will already be excited about this, now it’s time for the rest of you to be.
Glee Club, Cardiff Bay, Tue 4 Mar.
Tickets: £25/£23 NUS. Info: here
Water Wars
“Who owns the rain?” Each year, English water companies have permission to take hundreds of millions of litres of water from Welsh reservoirs. As politically charged as ever, Company Of Sirens is returning with another challenging drama. Inspired by the flooding of Tryweryn in the 1960s but informed, too, by our current political climate, Water Wars explores a dystopian future where England has invaded Wales to appropriate its resources.
Self-proclaimed political dramatist Ian Rowlands is a leading voice in climate change arts, and regularly explores devolution in his work. Director Chris Durnall’s distinct style blends elements of modern art into stagecraft and always offers a compelling and emotive theatrical experience. Featuring Welsh powerhouses Siwan Morris and Owen Arwyn, the show is born of Rowlands’ desire to “challenge the given ‘consensus’ that Britain is still Great and unified”, and promises to be a dark and powerful eco-thriller.
Atrium, Cardiff, Tue 25 + Wed 26 Feb; touring to Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Pwllheli, Bangor, Brecon, Llanelli, Ammanford, Milford Haven and Ystradgynlais from Tue 4-Thurs 27 Mar.
Tickets: Cardiff performances FREE, others from £12. Info: here
Strictly comes to Wales
We know that, every year, many of you are gutted when the Strictly Live tour doesn’t come to your part of the world… so here’s a list of all the Strictly dancers you can catch on a stage near you this spring.
Nikita Kuzmin comes to the Wales Millennium Centre with Midnight Dancer, his first ever UK/Ireland tour, on Sun 9 Mar (tickets: £28-£54. Info: here). Johannes Radebe will be slaying the house down in feelgood musical Kinky Boots, also at the WMC from Tue 18-Sat 22 Mar (tickets: £18-£87. Info: here).
Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez will be taking us through iconic dances of the 20th century with Speakeasy at Cardiff’s New Theatre on Sun 23 Mar (tickets: £43.50-£60.50. Info: here). And the same venue finds Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu sharing powerful life stories of finding hope through dance in Reborn on Sun 30 Mar (tickets: £28.35-£48.50. Info: here).
Anton Du Beke will be At The Musicals in Wales in April, with shows in Venue Cymru, Llandudno (Thurs 3 Apr), Cardiff’s New Theatre (Wed 9) and Swansea Grand Theatre (Thurs 10). Lauren Oakley will be joining him for the latter two shows (tickets: £41.70-£60.50. Info: here). Giovanni Pernice will be bringing The Last Dance tour to the WMC on Sun 27 Apr – tickets are selling fast for this one (tickets: £39.50-£71.50. Info: here) – and Aljaz & Janette will be providing us with A Night To Remember at Swansea Arena on Wed 14 May (tickets: from £29.36. Info: here).
words HARI BERROW
