THERE’S been a warm welcome in Llanelli for the return of a singing group tailored specifically for people with dementia, their friends and families.
The Welsh National Opera’s Cradle Choir initiative was launched at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, last year.
It has now returned to action after the festive break, with the first session held yesterday (Tuesday).
Future sessions are on Tuesdays for the next six weeks.
Welsh National Opera (WNO) is partnering with Carmarthenshire Theatres (Theatrau Sir Gar) and Ffwrnes for the project.
The Cradle Choir initiative expands on existing choirs in Milford Haven and Llandeilo.
WNO Cradle Choirs are for people living with dementia, their friends and families and aim to provide fun, inclusive sessions where daily challenges and cares can be left at the door and connections made and enabled through the joy of community singing.
Cradle Choirs have proved to be significant hubs for social connection within the community. They encourage participants to step out of their typical daily routine with a dose of singing.
The Cradle Choir project is part of the wider WNO Cradle scheme which seeks to raise awareness of the disease within schoolchildren, through a variety of workshops.
Sessions in Llanelli are led by David Fortey (Cradle Choir Vocal Leader) and pianist Mark Jones, who will incorporate a wide range of music from stage and screen to folk songs and popular music.
After the sessions, there are refreshments and an opportunity to socialise with other members of the choir.
WNO Producer Jennifer Hill said: “Members of our existing choirs in Milford Haven and Llandeilo tell us how much they value the companionship and fun they have singing together on a weekly basis and so being able to further extend the reach to another area and a more urban setting is very exciting.
“We’ve been very lucky to have support on the ground from fantastic people and organisations who are embedded in their communities and hope to be able to add to their amazing work.”
If you would like to find out more about the Cradle Project or are interested in joining one of the choirs, please contact Jennifer Hill at jennifer.hill@wno.org.uk
Sessions in Llanelli are at 2pm on the following dates – January 23 and 30, February 6, 13, 20 and 27.
Meanwhile, Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli has been picked as a venue for a touring production of Verdi’s Macbeth.
One of Shakespeare’s greatest plays is also one of Verdi’s greatest operas.
Mid Wales Opera is staging its first-ever production of Macbeth as the culmination of its Shakespeare Season.
You will be able to experience a gripping tale of power, manipulation and tragic descent as Macbeth, a valiant general, succumbs to his wife’s persuasion, leading to a ruthless quest for the Scottish throne.
Verdi’s magnificent score, with its sweeping melodies and intricate harmonies, propels the psychologically thrilling narrative, whilst Act 4 introduces a modern twist with the haunting chorus of refugees.
The opera will be sung in English. The Mid Wales Opera company will be accompanied by Ensemble Cymru and a large cast will be supplemented by community choruses.
The opera will be staged at Ffwrnes on March 19. Tickets are £20 and £18.
Macbeth will feature Welsh Soprano Mari Wyn Williams and Canadian-born Jean-Kristof Bouton.
Meanwhile, Carmarthen-based ladies choir A Choired Taste have resumed rehearsals during their 10thanniversary year.
The choir is conducted by Sarah Kirby and has built up an excellent reputation throughout west Wales during the last 10 years.
The choristers are particularly proud of their fundraising work for local charities.
Fortnightly rehearsals started this week. Future rehearsal dates are – Mondays, 7-9pm) on January 29, February 5 and 19 and March 4 and 18.
A choir spokesman said: “It is our 10th year anniversary so there’s lots of exciting things to come this year. New members are always welcome, aged 15-plus.
“It’s a great way to meet friends, be involved in the community, start a new hobby, make you feel good.”
The choir rehearses in Christ Church Hall in Carmarthen.
If you want to find out more, email achoiredtaste2014@gmail.com
You can also check out the choir’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/achoiredtastecarms
In other news, a Llanelli-based company called Scarlet Musical Theatre Productions will be making a much-anticipated debut next month.
The classic coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening will be the first full-scale production for Scarlet Musical Theatre.
The show is being staged at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on February 22 and 23.
With music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater, Spring Awakening is based on the controversial 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind.
Spring Awakening contains partial nudity and sexual content, as well as explicit language. It is recommended for an audience of 16 and over.
Tickets for the February performances in the intimate Stidwio Stepney space are £12.
In March, a brand new musical, produced by National Theatre Wales, is coming to Llanelli.
Feral Monster is described as a ‘banging new musical about an unremarkable teenager’.
It will be staged at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Wednesday, March 13 (7pm).
Feral Monster is written by Bethan Marlow and directed by Izzy Rabey, with music by Nicola T Chang.
The cast features Lily Beau, Carys Eleri, Geraint Rhys Edwards, Rebecca Hayes, Nathaniel Leacock and Leila Navabi.
Tickets are available from Carmarthenshire Theatres, Theatrau Sir Gar, or from the website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/
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