2014: The favourites and highlights

Wow what a year for theatre! 2014 has flown by in a complete blur and according to my calculations and well used diary, I have seen 121 productions in the past 365 days…making my top ten incredibly difficult this time round!

I have basically spent the majority of my year inside a theatre having worked for five different companies in one capacity or another and spending my spare time checking out what Cardiff and the surrounding area have to offer, as well as a wonderful Fringe filled summer and a few trips to the Big Smoke!

I’ve followed soldiers over the top of a trench in Usk, watched stand up comedy in a pub basement, and watched circus performers whilst eating my dinner… it’s been a pretty great year for theatre so thank you 2014! Here are some of my favourites: my top ten of the year, some which made an impression, made me cry or made me cackle with laughter and all of which you should all look out for if they ever tour again!

Maudies Rooms: Roar Ensemble in co-production with Sherman Cymru
An incredibly enchanting and touching production from start to finish, with wonderful performances allowing the audience to interact with the weird and wonderful characters of the past.

Lungs: Paines Plough
An honest, heartfelt and witty production which had the audience laughing and crying as one. My one standing ovation of the Fringe festival!

Once: Phoenix Theatre, London
A subtle and beautiful Irish folk tale of a musical which left me an emotional wreck, proving that not every musical needs jazz hands and a flash dance routine.

Travesti: Unbound Theatre Company
Incredibly thought provoking and heartfelt verbatim theatre which knocked me sideways slightly – embracing a subject matter which others have previously shied away from.

Gwyn: Cwmni Fran Wen
Full of giggles, bright colours and enchantment against a truly gorgeous set design: a true reminder of how magic children’s theatre can be!

Mametz: National Theatre Wales
An immersive and emotional journey back in history, entering the hearts and memories of those lost at war in a beautiful setting in the middle of Usk.

Bianco: Nofit State Circus
A crazy concoction of beauty, chaos and amazing skill: Bianco left me in complete awe and wanting to watch again and again!

Dark Vanilla Jungle: Supporting Walls
Full of power and passion: A completely on it and bare faced performance from Gemma Whelan, portraying the highs and lows of one girls life.

A Streetcar Named Desire: Young Vic (via NT Live)
A gripping and tragic portrayal of the classic Tennesse Williams play with incredible performances from all cast members: brought to cinemas nationwide via the magic of NT Live.

And last but by no means least…. Tiger: Barrowland Ballet
A beautifully unconventional piece of dance and physical theatre which left my mouth in a wow kinda shape at this years Fringe.

And there you have it, my favourites of the past year for you all.  I’ve already started my wish list for next year and I can not wait to see what else is round the corner.  The theatre and arts scene in Cardiff is going from strength to strength, and it’ll be great to see what The Other Room has to offer, as well as the exciting programmes lined up for the Sherman, the Centre and National Theatre Wales amongst many others.

Happy new year all and I will see you in 2015!

No-one ever grows by being measured

Memories and magic are two things that can never be limited or measured, and the Roar Ensemble and Sherman Cymru production, Maudies Rooms, proves just that with their beautiful tale enchanting their family audience from the first meeting at a bus stop in Cardiff Bay.

Meeting a runaway groom on the street is never normally a good sign, but this particular run in with Arlo Butterworth at a bus stop outside his childhood home, leads to a stunning journey of mystery, adventure and friendship. Arlo takes us on a trip back in time to where he lived with his sick mother and beloved house keeper Maudie, and we meet the residents of the house who individually help to steer the story and change the young boy’s life. Travelling throughout the abandoned and initially slightly creepy house, the audience is ushered through room after room, each delicately and beautifully designed to show off the secrets hidden in the past. But will Arlo be able to find something within himself to solve the mystery and maybe even make it down the aisle in time for his wedding?

Full of brilliant performances from every cast member, each of whom really seem to relish the opportunity to connect with such weird and wonderful characters! Combined with the perfect mix of tension, emotion and mystery, Maudies Rooms is wonderfully pitched to interact with the younger audience members and connect with the group as a whole.

An incredibly enchanting, touching and wonderful collaborative production, a must see with some very important motto’s to live by… no reptiles, pigeons can’t be trusted and walls have ears. Oh and of course, never play by the rules!

Maudies Rooms plays until the 26th April in Cardiff Bay: for tickets and availability please check the Sherman Cymru website.