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THE TEN THEATRICAL YEARS OF THE WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE It’s been a decade since Cardiff’s Bay’s giant dome of culture opened its doors, and to celebrate the Wales Millennium Centre has lots of birthday celebrations on the calendar. Owen Scourfield takes a look what the Centre has achieved in the last 10 years and what it’s got planned next.
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ardiff has gained and cemented a reputation as a worldwide capital of culture, and the regeneration of the Bay area and construction of the iconic Wales Millennium Centre has played a huge part in putting Wales well and truly on the map. A whole decade has passed since the Queen attended the grand opening of Wales’ national centre for the performing arts in late November 2004, and this year’s 10th anniversary celebrations (which started back in Nov and are now coming to a conclusion) are the icing on the cake for what has been a monumental journey for one of Wales’ most recognisable buildings. The Centre’s opening ceremony involved the unlocking of a large padlock on the main doors with a key that had made a journey around the world. The key arrived in Cardiff Bay by boat, before being passed up to Janet Thickpenny, who had won a competition to officially open the doors for the first time. “I remember watching the Centre being built on visits to Cardiff Bay, and the mounting anticipation in Cardiff as the building took shape in the skyline,” says Janet. “I was very excited when it was announced that the Centre would open on 26th November – my 40th birthday – and that there would be a competition for a member of the public to open it. “I will never forget being first through the doors at that historic moment! Attending the evening gala concert with my mum – her delight at walking up the red carpet, the noise, the excitement and the photographers made us feel like royalty for the night.” Now a Visitor Services Assistant at Wales Millennium Centre, Janet is on the front line of the Centre’s operations. “I never dreamed I would have the opportunity
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to work at the Centre and was delighted when the opportunity presented itself. Although I had visited the Centre and attended shows through the years, I hadn't appreciated the diversity of the space and activities as I do now. I look forward with anticipation and excitement to the challenges of the next 10 years,” Janet added. World renowned concerts, operas and comedians have graced the prized stages of the Centre, and the overall 10-year cast list of performers would read as a who’s who of international superstars. The pulling power to secure the biggest and most loved West End and Broadway shows has proved a massive hit with theatre goers young and old. Showstoppers such as Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera (to name a few) have all filled the Donald Gordon Theatre on a number of occasions. Last Christmas, The Lion King took up residency, followed by Dirty Dancing, The Bodyguard and the classic Oklahoma. Over the 2015 festive period, Shrek sets up his swamp for a month-long run. The Centre has also been home to a number of Wales’ major arts organisations over the last decade; the highly regarded Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra Of Wales both have a base on site. September is the beginning of the end of the year-long celebration performances, and there is no slowing down as a jam-packed programme is still to run. Ar Waith Ar Daith is a free event on the evening of Sat 12 Sept and is billed as a climax of the 10th anniversary programme. Come rain or shine, this outdoor performance will feature a breath-taking display of dance, procession, projection and pyrotechnics. Summoned by mythical enchantress Ceridwen, hundreds of participants from all over Wales will arrive in colourful procession, bearing gifts representing Wales' rich cultural heritage
and history. What follows is a magical evening weaving together tradition and contemporary culture through live music, dance, aerial performance, and storytelling. Visions and words are seared onto the side of the iconic building before it catches alight in fiery display and Cardiff Bay explodes with colour and light. The autumn is also full of musical classics. Broadway to the Bay, sees an all-star lineup including Kerry Ellis (Wicked), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago) and John Owen- Jones (Les Misérables and Phantom Of The Opera) to name just three, perform a number of West End and Broadway favourites, from popular classics like Miss Saigon, Les Mis, Phantom and West Side Story. A nationwide search, which took in the length and breadth of Wales, will result in over 120 of the country’s most talented 13-19-year-olds performiing one of the world's most famous musicals, Les Misérables, in Welsh. With the blessing and support of original producer Cameron Mackintosh, this unique performance is also one to look out for. In November, the Centre’s ambassador, Bryn Terfel returns to perform Puccini’s impassioned opera, Tosca. Celebrating his 50th birthday on the night, the bass baritone will be on stage with some of the world’s leading singers and the Welsh National Opera. These celebrations will be very sound foundations for the next 10 years and beyond for the Wales Millennium Centre.