THE team at Carmarthen and District Youth Opera are gearing up for their 2025 production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The show will follow the hugely successful Our House (Madness) staged earlier this year and the 2023 production of Shrek The Musical.
The countdown has already begun to the auditions weekend for prospective performers.
Audition dates are as follows –
Friday, September 6 – evening
Years 12 & 13 and 16 Years and up to the age of 25 (25 as at 1/3/2025)
Sunday, September 8 – daytime
Years 5, 6 ,7, 8, 9 , 10, 11
Timings and venues will be confirmed closer to the date, with the production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set to take the stage in The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen in February of next year.
You can keep an eye on Carmarthen Youth Opera activities on their website at https://www.youthopera.co.uk or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064442572297
Meanwhile, Carmarthen Youth Opera has received good news in the latest nominations for National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awards.
The list of nominations for the 2023 production of Shrek The Musical includes the following –
Outstanding Youth Performance – Finn Radford (Donkey)
Outstanding Production – CDYO (Carmarthen and District Youth Opera) – Shrek
Regional Councillors Award – CDYO – Animation/ Set
The above regional nominations are in addition to the following District nominations received –
Outstanding Musical Production – CDYO
Outstanding Technical and Stage Management – CDYO
Outstanding Supporting Youth Performance – Cai Brown (Pinocchio) & Finn Radford (Donkey)
Outstanding Performance – Jordan Dickin (Lord Farquad)
Outstanding Comedy Performance – Finn Radford (Donkey)
Other Carmarthen and District Youth Opera news includes the sad announcement of the death of the group’s oldest former volunteer, Mrs Nancy Butters, who passed away at the grand age of 108 years.
The following tribute was published by CDYO –
‘Nancy had a long involvement with CDYO from its early days, and always retained her remarkable interest in the company.
‘She had been a resident at Towy Castle Home for the Elderly for a number of years, and was always keen to share her many interesting and long-serving memories on a range of subjects. It was always a pleasure to be in her company.
‘She had recently been presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and was personally introduced to the (then) HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, during her Royal Visit to CDYO in 2019.
‘Nancy will remain an iconic and prominent name in the history of CDYO, and our condolences are extended to her sons Colin and Alan and their families.’
At the end of this month, The Lyric will be playing host to the Forge drama company.
They will be performing Lionel Bart’s Oliver in five shows (including matinees) between May 30 and June 1.
A spokesman for the group said: “Consider yourself at home with this junior version of Lionel Bart’s classic musical Oliver!
“This family favourite delivers a powerful, and thought-provoking message.
“Oliver! (Junior) is full of classic songs like ‘Consider Yourself’, ‘Food Glorious Food’, and ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’, and is not to be missed.”
At The Lyric on June 7, G4 will be performing as part of their 20th Anniversary Tour.
The UK’s No.1 vocal harmony group and original X-Factor stars are celebrating a double decade in the limelight.
G4 have been wowing audiences with their incredible harmonies and stunning vocals ever since appearing on the first series of the X Factor in 2004.
Their unique blend of classical training alongside a pioneering approach to popular classics has seen them hailed as the ‘Kings of Popera’ and earned them a legion of loyal fans all over the world.
This is their most extensive tour to date, which will see them fondly look back upon their journey, whilst also propel them into the next chapter of their groundbreaking career.
The 72-date tour will be the first chance to hear the breathtaking new tracks from their hotly anticipated 20th anniversary studio album (due for release in Autumn 2024).
It will also feature the most popular G4 hits, such as their exhilarating rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, haunting version of ‘Creep’ as well as the heart-stopping ‘Nessun Dorma’.
As part of the group’s new chapter, they are delighted to welcome the exceptionally talented ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner – Jai McDowall into the fold.
In other news, members of Llanelli Youth Theatre are getting warmed up for what is going to be a busy 40th anniversary year.
LYT will be staging a special 40th anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Saturday, June 1.
Then, in September, LYT will be staging Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical Sweeney Todd.
More information about Theatrau Sir Gar shows can be found on their website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk
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