stage Thurs 4) The Great Big Gilbert & Sullivan Show Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £13-£18. Info 01792 475715. The Lion King Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15.50-£80. Info 029 2063 6464. This started in early November and still has nearly a month and a half to go. Tickets vary in availability, I believe, so do check before making big plans. (Until Sun 11 Jan) The Ugly Duckling St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10.30am + 1.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01446 779100. Kids’ show. In English first, then Welsh. White Christmas New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £9-£20.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Orbit Theatre with the musical of the film. (Until Sat 6)
WEDNESDAY 3
A Child’s Christmas In Wales Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 10am, £7.50-£15. Info 01970 623232. (Finishes today) A Christmas Carol Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 1 + 7.30pm, £10. Info 0845 2263510. One-
01656 733700. Playing the Clown’s Pocket comedy night. Novello & Son Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £8-£13. Info 029 2063 6464. One-woman show with Rosamund Shelley playing Ivor Novello’s mum. Puss In Boots The Gate, Cardiff. 10am, 12.30pm + 6.30pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2048 3344. (Until Fri 5) Pws Mewn Bwts Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 10am, £6. Info 01446 738622. Scrooge The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £9/£8. Info 01495 355800. (Until Thurs 4) Santa In Love The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 01639 843163. Kids’ play, the second to mull the interior life of Santa today. The feelings of love and needing a wee are easily confused, after all. In Builth Wells on Tue 30. Swan Lake Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01982 552555. Presented by Ballet Theatre UK. The Experimentrics Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 5pm, £5. Info 01792 602060. Theatrical science thing. On tomorrow
Welsh standup promoters, the stereotype-embracing Comedy Sheep, host four dates across south Wales in December. Starting at Dempseys, Cardiff, on Thurs 4 with a four-comic bill (Dan Thomas plus three), they'll return there on Sun 14, with Rob Hughes headlining. On Mon 8 they're at Blanco's Hotel, Port Talbot and on Wed 17 they're at Static Bar, Swansea. man show with James Hyland as Scrooge. Dick Whittington The Riverfront, Newport. 2pm, £10.50-£18. Info 01633 656757. (Until Sun 4 Jan) Dick Whittington Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7pm, £10/£6 kids. Info 07512 237983. Panto performed by the Caerphilly Players. (Until Sat 6) Father Christmas Needs A Wee! Grand Theatre, Swansea. 11am, 2pm + 5pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 01792 475715. Kids’ show combining the increasing anticipation for Dec 25 with the piss-based humour currently in vogue. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 10am + 1pm, £11/£9. Info 01686 614555. Barmy Britain? History? Sounds like current events to me! Seriously though folks, enjoy this 3D stage adaption of the edutaining kids’ book series. (Until Sat 6) Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10. Info 0300 3656677. Amateur youth production. (Until Sat 6) Katherine Ryan Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £12/£10 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Last Christmas Porter’s, Cardiff. 6.30pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Nick Helm + David Trent Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2023 2199. Two standup comedians, presented here by Little Wander. Noel James Maesteg Town Hall. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info
also. The Lion King Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15.50-£80. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sun 11 Jan) The Winter’s Tale Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. Shakespeare, as directed by Joe Murphy. (Until Sat 13) White Christmas New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9-£20.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 6)
THURSDAY 4
A Child’s Christmas In Wales Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 7pm, £16.50/£15. Info 01874 611622. (Until Sun 7) Comedy Sheep Dempseys, Cardiff. 7pm, £20/£15 adv. Info 029 2023 9253. With a total of four comedians, including Dan Thomas. I’m assuming the other three will offer an answer to why tickets are £15. A Comedy Sheep bill will also be in Port Talbot on Mon 8; here again on Sun 14 and Swansea on Wed 17. Cymraeg Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £8.50/£7.50. Info 01633 868239. “A celebration of Welsh music and artists.” That’s all I know. (Until Sat 6) Dick Whittington The Riverfront, Newport. 2 + 7pm, £10.50-£18. Info 01633 656757. (Until Sun 4 Jan) Dick Whittington Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7pm, £10/£6 kids. Info 07512 237983. (Until Sat 6)
Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 10am + 1pm, £11/£9. Info 01686 614555. (Until Sat 6) John Moloney + Kockov + Martin Mór Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Comedy Carousel night. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10. Info 0300 3656677. (Until Sat 6) Last Christmas Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £4.25£8.50. Info 01970 623232. Le Pub Is For LOLs Le Pub, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 221477. Comedy night on the first Thursday of every month. Luisa Omielan Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £8-£13. Info 029 2063 6464. Comedian brings her Fringe hit show, What Would Beyonce Do?, to Cardiff. Not sure what it’s about so I’m going to guess it’s about playing private concerts for Libyan autocrats. Peter Pan Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7pm, £8.50/£6.50 kids. Info 01633 263670. Panto. (Until Sat 6) Puss In Boots The Gate, Cardiff. 10am, 12.30pm + 6.30pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2048 3344. (Until Fri 5) Porter’s Christmas Special Mass Collective Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. The best of the last month of talent showcased at this venue. Rory McGrath & Philip Pope Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 8pm, £16. Info 01873 850805. Comedy music. Scrooge The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £9/£8. Info 01495 355800. (Finishes today) The Chimes Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01792 863722. Lighthouse Theatre interpret Dickens. In Pembrokeshire on Sun 7; Ystradgynlais on Mon 8; Aberystwyth on Thurs 11; Porthcawl Thurs 18. The Experimentrics Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 10am, £5. Info 01792 602060. The Future For Beginners The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01639 843163. Theatre show about the perils of growing old together. The Lion King Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £15.50£80. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sun 11 Jan) The Man The Gate, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2048 3344. James Graham’s play about a self-employed bloke called Ben who has to do his self-assessment form for the year. The Winter’s Tale Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. (Until Sat 13) White Christmas New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9-£20.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 6)
FRIDAY 5
A Child’s Christmas In Wales Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 7pm, £16.50/£15. Info 01874 611622. (Until Sun 7) A Child’s Christmas In Wales Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 7pm, £16.50/£15. Info 01874 611622. (Until Sun 7) Arabian Nights Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7pm, £12-£20. Info 029 2064 6900. See more in our Christmas roundup Upfront concerning this
month-long showing. Tonight and tomorrow are discounted preview prices. (Until Wed 31) A Tea Party With Snow White & Friends Pontardawe Arts Centre. 4.15-5pm, £5. Info 01792 863722. Channel Rose Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2063 6464. New dance production from award winning choreographer Eleesha Drennan. On tomorrow also. Company Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. Stephen Sondheim musical. (Until Sat 13) Cymraeg Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £8.50/£7.50. Info 01633 868239. (Until Sat 6) Dick Whittington The Riverfront, Newport. 2pm, £10.50-£18. Info 01633 656757. (Until Sun 4 Jan) Dick Whittington Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7pm, £10/£6 kids. Info 07512 237983. (Until Sat 6) Drones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Also on Fri 19. Duncan Oakley + Caimh McDonnell + Ray Peacock Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 8pm, £12/£10 adv. Info 0845 2263510. Comedy Club night. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 10am + 7pm, £11/£9. Info 01686 614555. (Until Sat 6) I’m Dylan Thomas YMCA, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£2.50. Info 01792 652032. A modern adaption of the life of big dog DT, made by and for young people. On tomorrow also. Jack & The Beanstalk Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £10. Info 0800 0147111. Panto, starring Frank Vickery. (Until Tue 16) Jarlath Regan + Sean Meo + Slim Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £20. Info 08700 111960. On tomorrow also. John Moloney + Kockov + Martin Mór Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 8.15pm, £24 adv. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also. This is the point where the prices get jacked up, so the venue can compensate for the hell that is having to put up with your works party. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10. Info 0300 3656677. (Until Sat 6) Last Christmas Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.45pm, £10.50/£9.50. Info 01646 695267. Ntokee Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Dance production from Ballet Nimba, Wales’ African dance company. On tomorrow also. Peter & The Wolf Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£15. Info 029 2089 0862. Classical Cafe Christmas special. It’s theatre, but with live music, specifically that of Prokofiev. Peter Pan Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7pm, £8.50/£6.50 kids. Info 01633 263670. Panto. (Until Sat 6) Puss In Boots The Gate, Cardiff. 10am, 12.30pm + 6.30pm, £8/£6. Info 029 2048 3344. (Finishes today) Smashed Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £8-£12. Info 029 2063 6464. A theatrical display of juggling from Gandini Juggling. The Forgotten? Never! Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £10/£8. Info 01600 772467. Play celebrating the 175th
anniversary of the Chartist movement The Lion King Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15.50-£80. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sun 11 Jan) The Winter’s Tale Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.15pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. (Until Sat 13) Unity (1918) Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £6-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. The RWCMD’s Richard Burton Company present a play about an influenza epidemic in a Canadian town, circa 1918. (Until Sat 13) White Christmas New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £9-£20.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Until Sat 6)
SATURDAY 6
A Child’s Christmas In Wales Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 2.30 + 7pm, £16.50/£15. Info 01874 611622. (Until Sun 7) Arabian Nights Sherman Cymru, Cardiff. 7pm, £12-£20. Info 029 2064 6900. (Until Wed 31) Channel Rose Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2063 6464. Company Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. (Until Sat 13) Cymraeg Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £8.50/£7.50. Info 01633 868239. (Finishes today) Dick Whittington The Riverfront, Newport. 1 + 5pm, £10.50-£18. Info 01633 656757. (Until Sun 4 Jan) Dick Whittington Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 11am + 4pm, £10/£6 kids. Info 07512 237983. (Finishes today) Diversity Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £35/£25. Info 029 2022 4488. Dance troupe off the telly. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 10.30am + 2pm, £11/£9. Info 01686 614555. (Finishes today) I’m Dylan Thomas YMCA, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£2.50. Info 01792 652032. Jack & The Beanstalk Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 2pm, £15/£11. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Tue 16) Jarlath Regan + Sean Meo + Slim Jongleurs, Cardiff. 7pm, from £20. Info 08700 111960. John Moloney + Kockov + Martin Mór Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £27.50 adv. Info 0871 4720400. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7pm, £10. Info 0300 3656677. (Finishes today) Ntokee Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Peter Pan Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7pm, £8.50/£6.50 kids. Info 01633 263670. Panto. (Finishes today) Swan Lake Blake Theatre, Monmouth. 3pm, £12-£16. Info 01600 719401. Ballet, presented by Ballet Theatre UK. The Lion King Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £15.50£80. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sun 11 Jan) The Winter’s Tale Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2039 1391. (Until Sat 13) Unity (1918) Chapter Arts
Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £6-£12. Info 029 2030 4400. (Until Sat 13) White Christmas New Theatre, Cardiff. 2.30 + 7.30pm, £9-£20.50. Info 029 2087 8889. (Finishes today)
SUNDAY 7
A Child’s Christmas In Wales Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon. 2.30pm, £16.50/£15. Info 01874 611622. (Finishes today) Jack & The Beanstalk Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 2pm, £15/£11. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Tue 16) Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 8pm, £65/£43.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Or, to give it its full name, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds – Alive On Stage! – Final Arena Tour. Starring Brian McFadden, or to give him his full name, Brian McFadden – Just The Way You Are (Drunk At The Bar). On tomorrow also. Live Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday. Mayor’s Christmas Charity Show Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7pm, £3. Info 01639 763214. Variety show presented by Hugh James, the mayor in question. Peter & The Wolf Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 12pm, £8/£5 kids. Info 029 2039 1391. Also on Wed 10 and Thurs 11. T42 Christmas Special Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £6 adv. Info 01633 263670. Christmas variety show. (Until Tue 9) The Chimes Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £8. Info 01239 841387. The Christmassy Christmas Show Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 2pm, £9/£7. Info 0845 2263510. Family show presented by Squashbox Theatre. The Lion King Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2.30pm, £15.50-£80. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sun 11 Jan) The Noise Next Door + Clint Edwards + Robin Morgan Buffalo, Cardiff. 7pm, £7 adv. Info 029 2031 0312. Presented by Buffalo Comedy.
MONDAY 8
Andy Zaltzman + Helen Keen Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2030 4400. Gofasterstripe comedy night, which’ll be recorded for a DVD. Caterpillar Comedy Gwdihw, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2039 7933. Open mic standup night hosted by Jordan Brookes. Also on Mon 12 Jan. Comedy Sheep Blanco’s Hotel, Port Talbot. 7pm, £20/£15 adv. Info 01639 864500. Gower College Swansea Third Year Acting Company Showcase Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7pm, £8.50/£6.50. Info 01792 475715. (Until Wed 10) Jack & The Beanstalk Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 9.45am + 12.30pm, £15/£11. Info 0800 0147111. (Until Tue 16) Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. 8pm, £65/£43.50. Info 029 2022 4488. T42 Christmas Special Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £6 adv. Info 01633 263670. (Until Tue 9) The Chimes The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7.30pm, £9/£7. BUZZ 81