From an opera about mining disasters to a Butetown play in London to an S4C drama gaining national attention, here’s what’s on in Wales – and beyond – in February 2023 with a strong connection to Welsh culture.

BLAZE OF GLORY

Set in a Valleys community circa the 1950s, Blaze Of Glory follows the lives of a group of miners as they aim to boost the morale lost by the harsh reality of mining disasters by joining a male voice choir. The opera merges sounds of Welsh melodies with a capella, big band and even yodelling. 

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 23 Feb then Fri 10, Tue 14 + Sat 18 Mar. 

Tickets: £17-£56. Info: here

Y GOLAU / THE LIGHT IN THE HALL

This Welsh drama, starring Joanna Scanlan, Iwan Rheon and Alexandra Roach, is set in the Welsh countryside and follows the lives of a woman who is grieving the loss of her daughter, the man accused of her murder who is released from prison 18 years later and a journalist who is trying to uncover the truth. 

Streaming now on Channel 4.

Info: here

THE SEA HORIZON

The Sea Horizon is an exhibition by fine art photographer Garry Fabian Miller. This exhibition takes on a new perspective of Wales, one that looks out to the horizon, capturing the same shot across different days, times, and weather conditions to show the dramatic differentiation of the horizon and tell a story of time and place. 

National Museum Wales, Cardiff, Sat 18 Feb-Sun 10 Sept.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

CROENDENA

Mared Llywelyn is regarded as one of the most exciting voices in Welsh theatre. Her new Welsh language dramedy, starring Betsan Ceiriog as Nel, is a coming-of-age story about a 17-year-old girl navigating life in a rural town.

Pontio, Bangor, Thurs 9 + Fri 10 Feb.

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Thurs 16 + Fri 17 Feb. 

Galeri, Caernarfon, Mon 20 + Tue 21 Feb. 

Tickets: £15. Info: here

DATBLYGU: TERFYSGIAITH 1982-2022

Terfysgiaith 1982-2022 is a triple-disc compilation of favourites and exclusive tracks spanning 40 years of music from mercurial Welsh-language rockers Datblygu, aka David R. Edwards and Pat Morgan.

Released on Wed 1 Mar via Ankstmusik. 

Info: here

PIJIN

Based on Alys Conran’s literary debut, the first novel to be released in Welsh and English simultaneously, Pijin has now been adapted by Bethan Marlowe for the stage. The YA narrative focuses on two working-class teenagers who are stuck in a life that neither aspired to. 

Dates in Bangor, Cardiff, Llanelli, Cardigan, Aberystwyth and Caernafon, Fri 27 Feb-Sat 25 Mar.

Tickets: £10-£16. Info: here

STORY TRAILS

Award-winning storyteller Tamar Eluned Williams has created a series of bespoke story trails across Cardiff’s parks that can be accessed via QR codes. The stories are available in both English and Welsh and engage children in fun activities (such as building stick structures) along the way.

Various Cardiff parks; stories available online.

Activity: FREE. Info: here

TROUBLE IN BUTETOWN

The world premiere play by Diana Nneka Atuona will be running in the Donmar Warehouse theatre this February. The play is set in a secret illegal boarding house in Butetown, Cardiff. When an African American soldier arrives and is surprised to find there is no segregation, he, like many of the occupants, feels there is danger around the corner.

Donmar Warehouse, London, Fri 10 Feb-Sat 25 Mar.

Tickets: from £48. Info: here

SHE IS LOVE

From the prolific Welsh writer and director, Jamie Adams, She Is Love is a comedy drama film following the chance meeting of a divorced couple at a country inn, and the rekindling of their relationship that follows. 

Out now in cinemas and on streaming.

Info: here

OGUN

Musician, writer, spoken word poet and activist from Newport, Ogun, is heading to Clwb Ifor Bach for a headline show following the success of his performance at Sŵn festival in the same venue. 

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 17 Feb.

Tickets: £5. Info: here

HEARING PLACES

Part of a BBC NOW programme including Steve Reich’s City Life and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody No. 2, the Hearing Places world premiereby Colin Riley uses digital soundbites that were recorded around Wales to accompany the orchestra, creating a unique piece that embodies the sounds of the nation.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 17 Feb.

Tickets: £12. Info: here

GWENLLIAN LLYR

This harp programme is inspired by the telling of stories and playing music around a fire and how these Welsh folk stories, nursery rhymes and legends have translated over the years into harp compositions. 

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Fri 24 Feb.

Tickets: £7. Info: here

HIRAETH, LOVE & LONGING

South African cellist Abel Selaocoe is heading to Cardiff, Mold and Aberystwyth to celebrate the variety of cello music in collaboration with the musicians of Sinfonia Cymru, the UK’s leading under-30s orchestra. The performance promises a lively fusion of African-inspired music, improvisations from Abel’s trio, Chesaba, and Tabakova’s Cello Concerto.

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Thu 16 Feb; Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Fri 17; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 18.

Tickets: £18. Info: here

PEN-Y-LAN HALL GHOST HUNT

Pen-Y-Lan Hall is said to be an extremely active sight for ghostly activity, making it perfect for a ghost hunting adventure. With many rooms to explore (including a creepy cellar) and all of the latest ghost hunting gadgetry, you can join a brave group in their aim to connect with the dead.

Pen-Y-Lan Hall, Ruabon, Sat 18 Feb. 

Tickets: £49. Info: here

MINAS

Cardiff-based producer, pianist and lyricist Minas is bringing a new electronic sound to south Wales, inspired by his early life in the Welsh Valleys and musical influences from punk to metal and hip-hop. Catch him at Le Pub in Newport for an energetic and memorable gig. 

Le Public Space, Newport, Fri 17 Feb.

Tickets: £7. Info: here

JOHN CALE

Welsh legend John Cale, known best as a founding member of the experimental American rock band The Velvet Underground, has a solo gig in Birmingham to showcase his avant-garde yet accessible sound and promote his latest album, Mercy. 

Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 11 Feb. 

Tickets: £48. Info: here

WYNNE EVANS

Welsh tenor, Wynne Evans, is perhaps better known for his role as the Go Compare man, but in his concert Beyond Compare he will be delving into the music outside of the adverts. Expect music from his debut album A Song In My Heart and musical theatre hits and classics alike.

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Fri 17 Feb.

Tickets: from £28. Info: here

words ELIZABETH MORRIS