THERE’S a big night coming up for Carmarthen Amateur Operatic Society (CAOS) at the end of the month.
The team from CAOS will be presenting ‘The Past, The Present and The Future’ – an evening journey through the past, present and future of musical theatre.
The production promises a night for the whole family, featuring some old classic numbers and brand-new songs, all to get your feet tapping.
The concert is at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on Friday, September 27 (7.30pm).
Special guests will include West End star Samuel Wyn-Morris, who comes from Llanelli.
Sam is best known for his work in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Miserables.
Beginning in 2019, he joined the show’s ensemble as the understudy for Jean Valjean and Enjolras. His time was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but he later returned to the ‘Les Mis All-Star Staged Concert’, which reopened the
West End in the winter of 2020, a special event which features Alfie Boe, Michael Ball and Matt Lucas.
In the summer of 2021, Sam had the chance to perform the role of Enjolras for the first time.
After a call from Cameron Mackintosh, he found himself opening the UK Tour of Les Mis in Glasgow, playing the role in his own right.
What followed was a tour visiting 15 cities over 14 months and 450 performances as ‘Enjolras’.
Tickets are £15 and are available at The Lyric box office or from the Theatrau Sir Gar website – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk
This weekend, 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.
On September 20 and 21, SA15 Stage School will present ‘An Evening of ABBA, The Beatles and Elton John’ at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli (7pm).
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 (7.30pm) 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.”
Meanwhile, Llanelli Chamber Choir will be staging Joseph Haydn’s The Creation at St Elli Parish Church, Llanelli on Saturday, September 28 (7pm).
The concert will be under the musical direction of Piet Zorn. The choir will be supported by a 10-strong musical ensemble.
The soloists will be Kieran Rayner, baritone, Osian Wyn Bowen, tenor, Morgan Summers, soprano, and Jade Fouracre-Reynolds, alto.
The featured ensemble members for the performance are – David Wheeler, Cellan Morgan, Gareth Hamlin, Imogen Holborn, Louise Baylis, Rachel Thomas, James McBeth, Mihai Stoican, Sian Davies and Aden Yip.
Tickets are £15 and are available from the email address chamberchoirllanelli@gmail.com or by phoning 07535 166956.
You can find out more about the Llanelli Chamber Choir on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090227216918
If you like ballet, then there is a treat on Saturday as The Nutcracker is performed at The Lyric in Carmarthen.
After last year’s successful tour, Crown Ballet returns to the UK with the enchanting classic
The charming fairytale of The Nutcracker is one of the jewels of Tchaikovsky’s repertoire.
Based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, written by ETA Hoffmann, it tells the story of Marie, a sad little girl whose godfather, Drosselmeier, gives her a nutcracker doll as a present on Christmas Eve. In her lively imagination it turns into a prince and the magic starts . . .
This eternal seasonal favourite is an ideal introduction to audiences of any age to the magic that is classical ballet.
Tickets start at £20.50 and curtain up for the ballet is at 7.30pm.
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