MEMBERS of Llanelli Youth Theatre will be continuing their 40th anniversary celebrations next week.
Back in June, former members of the youth theatre and current members teamed up for a memorable anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.
Now, the youth theatre team are finishing rehearsals for a special production of Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
The show promises to be a theatrical treat for Llanelli, with an immersive production being staged at Ffwrnes.
Sweeney Todd is a 1979 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is based on a 1970 play Sweeney Todd by Christopher Bond.
The character of Sweeney Todd first appeared in a Victorian penny dreadful (newspaper/magazine) titled The String of Pearls.
Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway in 1979 and in the West End in 1980.
It won the Tony Award for Best Musical and an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It has been revived in many productions and has inspired a film adaptation.
The youth theatre’s publicity blurb says, ‘Join us for the dark, witty, multi-Tony Award-Winning tale of love, murder and revenge, set against the backdrop of 19th century London.
‘Sweeney Todd, based on the Christopher Bond melodrama, has become a bloody, worldwide success, and is widely regarded as Sondheim’s masterpiece.
‘For the complete experience the immersive standing area is highly recommended. Limited seating is available.’
Cast members included members of the youth theatre from the past 40 years.
The role of Sweeney Todd will be played by Llanelli’s Simon Nehan.
Simon started his stage career with Llanelli Youth Theatre (LYT) before going on to train at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff.
His most recent professional role was touring Wales and the US with the much-acclaimed one-man-play based on the life of rugby icon Carwyn James, the world famous coach of Llanelli and the British and Irish Lions.
A spokesman for LYT said: “Please join us for our upcoming immersive production at Ffwrnes Theatre. Explore the dark underbelly of Victorian London where this company of curious characters will guide you around the space and into famed institutions like Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop and, of course, Sweeney Todd’s barbershop.
“Get your tickets now for what is sure to be a real theatrical treat right here in Llanelli.”
Tickets for Sweeney Todd are £20 and performance dates are – 12 Sept, 19:30; 13 Sept, 19:30; 14 Sept, 14:30; 14 Sept, 19:30; 15 Sept, 14:30.
Photo: Llanelli Youth Theatre
Tickets are available from the Ffwrnes Theatre box office and the Carmarthenshire Theatres – Theatrau Sir Gar website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/sweeney-todd-the-demon-barber-of-fleet-street
Meanwhile, the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen will next week see the arrival of the popular touring show called Celine – My Heart Will Go On.
After a sold-out tour across the UK and Europe in 2023, Celine – My Heart Will Go On is back for 2024, bigger and better than ever!
The September 12 concert in Carmarthen promises to be a stunning celebration of the music and one of one of the greatest singers of our time, Celine Dion.
Starring Alexandra Darby, as seen on ITV’s This Morning, and an outstanding live band, the audience are taken on a magical ride through four decades of hits that include: The Power Of Love, It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, I’m Alive, All By Myself, Because You Loved Me, My Heart Will Go On and many more.
Tickets are £25.50.
In other news, there’s a special concert coming up at Pontyberem Memorial Hall in the heart of the Gwendraeth Valley.
You are promised a fun evening of folk singing (and more!) in the company of Pedair and Cór Merched Lleisiau’r Cwm.
The concert is on Friday, September 20 (7pm) and will feature a secret auction and raffle, with the proceeds going to Prostate Cancer.
Tickets, at £12 a head, are available through the Ticket Source website – https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cor-lleisiaur-cwm/t-krxlkpe
Broadcaster Heddyr Gregory will compere the evening.
For those unfamiliar with the work of Pedair, here is a short biography –
Pedair, the feminine form of ‘pedwar’ (‘four’ in Welsh) draws on the talents of four of Wales’s most prominent and award-winning folk artists – Gwenan Gibbard, Gwyneth Glyn, Meinir Gwilym and Siân James.
Groundbreaking international artists in their own right, all four thrive on collaboration and the thrill of live performance.
Together, they bring to life traditional material with new arrangements on harps, guitars, piano and accordion.
Their live performances have captured the imaginations and hearts of audiences with their sweeping harmonies, fresh interpretations of the Welsh folk tradition, and the intimacy of their songwriting.
Bringing together their unique gifts as song-tellers, the source material relies on inspiration from the poetic, oral and folk traditions of Wales and beyond.
Their first recordings emerged during the Covid lockdown and gained instant popularity, unexpectedly becoming a source of comfort and hope to many (including Pedair themselves!).
On September 20 and 21, SA15 Stage School will present ‘An Evening of ABBA, The Beatles and Elton John’ at Ffwrnes Theatre.
A spokesman for the stage school said: “You can join us for a night of ABBA, The Beatles and Elton John songs performed by the ‘teens’ and ‘seniors’ of SA15 Stage School.”
Tickets are Cabaret seating £12, Circle seating £10.
Tables of 10 are available at £120 or £160, including a drinks package (5 x bottles of beer / cider plus 3 bottles of wine).
September 26 sees Sarah McQuaid visiting Ffwrnes to perform in the intimate Stiwdio Stepni space.
Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality and brilliant musicianship on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and drum to create a truly immersive experience.
Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, Sarah brings the eclecticism of her background to her captivating and unorthodox songwriting.
She has been described in the music press as “one of the most instantly recognisable voices in current music.”
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