Centrestage Cymru Thrilled To Join Godspell Show At Cardiff New Theatre

Godspell, the legendary rock musical from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Wicked, returns to Cardiff’s New Theatre this week.

Following the critically acclaimed sell-out success in London's West End, the show is returning to the UK in a one-of-a-kind production, with a brand new, modern day rock score that features Light of the World, All Good Gifts and Day by Day.

The production features Andy Abraham, Tom Senior and Leanne Jarvis while supporting the stars as a walking choir will be Newport based company CentreStage Cymru, The last three years have seen this fresh, vibrant society go from strength to strength, receiving plaudits from all those who have seen them perform.

Since their first successful concert in 2012, the company has gone from strength to strength bringing premier performances to the Dolman such as Whistle Down the Wind and White Christmas among others, and are at present in rehearsals for their next fabulous production The Addams Family.

Following national auditions earlier this year, the company were chosen to perform in the Cardiff dates of the national tour of Godspell the Broadway Revival. The company were absolutely delighted and thrilled to have been chosen from hundreds of groups across the UK. “I saw a post on Facebook asking for choirs to apply for the Cardiff auditions and applied,” says Centrestage Cymru's Sharon Higgins, “We got through to the auditions and had to audition in front of two of the producers Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt. We had to wait until the next day to find out if we got through. We had an anxious wait to see if our picture was put on the Godspell UK tour website. We were so proud and excited when we did!”

Although only given 6 weeks to learn the completely new score, movement from video clips, and rehearsing for The Addams Family at the same time the company pulled out all the stops to deliver a professional performance that they have become renown for and are proud to have put the much talented Newport amateur scene on the map in a professional production.

Sharon says the orchestration of Godspell which will be presented at Cardiff’s New Theatre from Friday “differs from the original giving it a new gutsy rock feel.”

“We can't wait to work with the main cast and orchestra,” continues Sharon, “A few of us went to the press night when the show opened at the Hackney Empire, London. The atmosphere was electric. The lights and sound of the band is amazing and the principal line up is awesome! For the people from CSC that are involved it has been hard work as we are also rehearsing The Addams Family, but it will be such a memorable experience."

• Godspell in Concert plays at Cardiff’s New Theatre from Friday 17 - Saturday 18 April. Visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk for ticket information.
• For more information on Centrestage Cymru visit their official website
• A version of this article by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on April 10, 2015

On Stage: The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, Wales Millennium Centre

I wanted to see the Olivier Award winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time following a strong recommendation from my 12-year-old daughter who recently saw the London West End presentation.

The story follows fifteen year old Christopher Boone who although has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths, is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life and from time to time is subject to behavioral problems. When his neighbours dog is killed, Christopher falls under suspicion but when he decides to make his own inquiries he begins a personal journey which will not only turn his world upside down but unravel even more mysteries.

Presented in a giant cube shaped stage which projects lights, video projections and a variety of hidden doors and cupboards for cast and props to enter and leave as the drama unfolds. The set also reflects Christopher’s reactions generated by Asperger Syndrome through a series of lightning flashes and occasional confused numbers and letters

The performances are flawless, each cast move choreographed to perfection from Christopher looking for a missing book under his fathers bed to travelling through the busy London Underground.

Wales own Joshua Jenkins gives a breathtaking performance as Christopher, sometimes funny, sometimes sad but always smart; this is a role which is handled with precision and clarity. There is strong support from the ensemble cast who provide a variety of different roles including as Geraldine Alexander, Stuart Ling and Gina Isaac who portray Christopher’s teacher and parents.

Suitable for ages 11 plus, there is something that will appeal to everyone on many levels in this production. It runs until April 18, visit wmc.org.uk for booking details.

• A version of this review by Andy Howells appears on The South Wales Argus website on April 15, 2015
• Read Andy Howells' interview with actress Jessica Williams about Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

Curious Incident Presents Dual Role For Jessica Williams

The Winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, this highly acclaimed National Theatre production The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time arrives at Wales Millennium Centre this week as part of its first ever UK tour.

Based on the award-winning novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, the story follows Christopher, fifteen years old, has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.

The story features two cast members that hail from Wales. Swansea’s Joshua Jenkins will play the role of Christopher while Bargoed’s Jessica Williams gets to work on both sides of the stage as Movement Captain, understudy and an ensemble cast member taking on the roles of Punk Girl and Mrs Shears.

In 2012 Jessica began working for Frantic Assembly as a practitioner. She works for them nationally and internationally, most recently co-directing the National Youth Theatre of Wales’ show Dead, Born, Grow and working with Newcastle-based company Open Clasp. Andy Howells recently chatted to Jessica about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

How did you find yourself becoming a Movement Captain?
I started in dance as a teenager and went to Ebbw Vale school to do A level dance there, then I trained in London as a dancer at the London contemporary dance school then the last couple of years I’ve been working for a dance company called Frantic Assembly a musical theatre company who make the movement for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Did you always have an interest in dance and performance?
I was in the Blaenau Gwent Youth Dance Company The Move and I used to go to Rubicon in Cardiff and Diversions now known as the National Dance Company of Wales. I've not done any acting until this job, so it’s a bit of a shift in direction for me.

Can you tell us about your role in The Curious Incident?
My role in the show is that I look after the movement. It’s not a musical, it’s a play. There’s a lot of music and a lot of movement and I keep an eye on all of it and keep them all on their toes, make sure they are doing everything properly look after their fitness all the warm ups and things  and I’m in the ensemble of the show and say a couple of lines as well.

Did you devise the movements?
Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett who are the directors of Frantic Assembly made the movement and my job is to make everything stay just as it should so that it doesn’t change. It’s a really big opportunity for me actually its nice to be on two sides of it with the cast and working on the other side making sure things are going well.

The show is rated 11 plus and there is some swearing, is it suitable for families?
Its really at the parents discretion. There is swearing and it’s used in adult scenes but there’s younger members of the audience who still enjoy the production. It’s a really great story and you see the journey of a young person. It hits a lot of marks with different people its kind of a family show in that you could take the whole family and everyone would get something different from all of it.

Do you get home to Wales very often?
It’s been more difficult since I started this tour as we started rehearsing in November but I’ll be staying with my parents while we’re in Cardiff.

How long are you continuing with the show?
Till November, a year long contract is a great opportunity for an actor.  I’ll definitely be going back to work with Frantic Assembly after I've finished this. It’s not certain what I’ll be doing.  I could be teaching, performing or doing something creative for them.

What are you most looking forward to about your return to Cardiff?
The theatre community of Cardiff is a great bunch of people so I’m looking forward to catching up with people and seeing what’s going on.  I’m also looking forward to the audiences I think they’ll love it (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.)  It will be warmly received. The Millennium Centre is such an amazing venue; I remember standing on the main stage as part of a workshop performance and thinking “Wow! I’ll never get to stand here again, this is amazing!”

How would you sum up The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?
I think a beautiful story. It’s really well told in so many different ways to tell the story with the set, movement, text and actors. Josh who is playing the lead is from Swansea, so it will be his home venue as well.

• The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night Time runs at Wales Millennium Centre from April 14 – 18. Check wmc.org.uk for ticket details.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 10, 2015

Hitmaker Albert Hammond Discusses His Songbook

Albert Hammond has been writing and co-writing hit songs for over forty years; among them The Hollies'  The Air That I Breathe; Leo Sayer's When I Need You;  Whitney Houston's One Moment In Time and Aswad's  Don’t Turn Around.

Albert recently went back in to the studio to record a new 4 track EP which contains a new song I Guess I Really Had It Coming and also his most successful song It Never Rains In Southern California featuring his friend Al Stewart as a duet partner, and  Changing Me  a duet song with his son Albert Hammond Jnr.

The EP coincides with a date at Newport Riverfront on April 28 as part of the UK leg of his world tour. Andy Howells recently put questions to the music legend.

What’s the earliest song you can remember writing and what inspired it?
The earliest song I can remember writing is a song called Blue Boy and I wrote it for a girl 14 years old from Scotland whom I fell in love with, I was 15.

One of your earliest song writing successes of which you collaborated with Mike Hazelwood was Little Arrows which was a hit for Leapy Lee in 1968. What did it feel like when you had your first taste of success?
Little Arrows written with Mike Hazlewood was my first big hit, I met Leapy Lee one night down in Shepherd's Bush, I went with my Aunt to play bingo and Leapy was there we got to chat and he said he was a singer and knew Gordon Mills, (Tom Jones manager) so I played him Little Arrows and the next day we went to see Gordon who loved the song and made a great record with Leapy. It became a hit all over the world and sold over five million copies, it was a dream come true.

Mike and you were also in the band The Family Dogg; did you find it difficult to get established as a musician when you were already having major success as songwriters?
The Family Dogg was a group I formed with Steve Rowland who I knew from years before in Spain, the idea was to form a group like The Fifth Dimension, it was great for the time it lasted and it was a vehicle for Mike and I to write songs for.

Out of all the songs you have written do you have a favourite?
Well it's hard to choose a favourite, I've had so many hits and they're all favourites’ but to answer your question here are two favourites’, One Moment in Time (recorded by Whitney Houston) and The Air that I Breathe (recorded by The Hollies).

Tell us about your latest EP I Guess I Really Had It Coming, what was the inspiration behind that?
The EP is something my record company Hypertension put out to promote the tour, the song I guess I really had it coming is a song I wrote in Russia in 1987 but I forget what inspired it.

You are playing some UK shows soon what can fans expect to hear at them and what do you enjoy most about playing live?
Anyone that comes to my concerts in the UK will enjoy listening to the many hits that I've written in the last 5 decades, the stories Behind the songs and the artists that I've worked with such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Julio Iglesias, Tina Turner etc...
Songbook is a unique show that takes Audiences through the soundtrack of their lives and what I enjoy the most about Songbook is how much audiences enjoy it and how happy it makes them.

Do you have a favourite songwriter?
I admire many songwriters but the one singer songwriter that I can say inspired me to do what I do is Buddy Holly and one of the reasons he inspired me was his simple melodies, words and chords.

• Tickets to see Albert Hammond: Songbook Tour at Newport Riverfront are available by calling (01633) 656757 or visit The Riverfront website
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 10, 2015

Meet The Mono LPs

Championed by BBC Introducing's Dave Monks, having recorded a sell-out live gig at the Cavern Club for the BBC's Live Lounge sessions, The Mono LPs are considered one of Liverpool's bright young prospects.

The band will be releasing their next single Emilia on the May 4 with a new video in tow and burlesque style launch night at Liverpool's renowned venue Magnet!

The Mono LPs have headlined shows for Alan McGee (Oasis, Creation Records), performed at the legendary Notting Hill Arts Club, The Orange Unlit Tour and a wealth of festivals including Kendal Calling, Liverpool Music Week and Sound City.

They’ve supported the likes of Space, Toploader, Sandi Thom, have busked with The View and even had punk legend, The Clash's Mick Jones, support them at one of their London shows!

An eclectic mix, we’re sure you’ll agree, but then we’re talking about a very special band. Offering a distinctive baroque-fuelled, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll sound in the midst of an increasingly saturated and overly populated indie rock backdrop, the quartet are selling out venues across the UK.

Amongst the group of highly talented, stunningly unique musicians is cellist, Vicky, who has performed with both The View and Blood Red Shoes on their last albums. You’ll feel the cello riffing its way through a barrage of sound. This is a rock 'n' roll band at full pelt.

The Mono LPs showcase juicy guitar riffs, intricate T-Rex like swooping strings, sexually charged lyrics and an uncompromising energy. The offbeat five-piece have established themselves as a group of major significance on the scene through their impressive work ethic and a dedication to an ever-expanding fan base of ‘Monettes’.

The band go from strength to strength having released their first single Die A Little Death on Cavern Records in October 2012 which was recorded at the Grammy award-winning Parr Street Recording Studios, (frequented the likes of Coldplay, Pulp and Black Sabbath). They’ve worked with influential producers Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys) and Jon Withnall (Coldplay).

Grounded in making music they love and loving the music they make, ‘The Mono LPs’ are riding high and showing no signs of letting up!  Andy Howells puts questions to Vicky from the band.

How did you come together?
We are the Mono LPs. It all started when I met our lead singer/songwriter Ste in college, he wanted some cello on his acoustic songs and it all carried on from there. We kicked off by busking in the streets of the North West during which time we met our guitarist Chris. After testing the water and playing a few gigs as a three piece we felt the need to turn it up to '11' and create more of a rock sound. Ste had been consistently writing over this time and with so many songs at hand we set out to audition various drummers...after a few try-outs we found the amazing Dan and have never looked back since!

Where are you from?

We are all from Liverpool but I am half Welsh, my parents are both Welsh and were born in Cardiff.

How would you describe your music style?
The best description we have been given was 'Baroque Rock'! We seem to be gradually getting heavier over time...

What’s been your best live experience?

This would be a close match between playing in front of 3000 people at Liverpool's Matthew Street Festival, or playing at Norway's Fosnavag Rock festival! Such a great festival they really love new British bands, and we cannot wait to go back soon! We also had the pleasure of supporting Space in Buckley, Wales last year...the Welsh crowds are always up for having at good time!

You have a new release coming soon can you tell us more about that?
Yes that's right- a double A-side, but we are leading the release with the track Emilia, which according to Ste is an anti love song. We have just finished filming the video which will be released next month, it will be our first multi shot video of which from what we have seen thus far looks amazing!

Will you be coming to Wales sometime in the future?
Yes we would love to play Cardiff! It has been a while since I have been back to the capital and visited various relatives!

Where can people hear your music?
soundcloud.com/the-mono-LPs

• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 10,2015
• For more information on The Mono LPs visit themonolps.com

On Stage: The Sooty Show (2015 Tour)

What better way to get the family Easter break underway than a trip to St David’s Hall to see The Sooty Show?

I wasn't unfamiliar with this family friendly experience having already taken two of my children to see the little yellow bear, his friends Soo, Sweep, Butch, Ramsbottom and straight-man and presenter Richard Cadell at Newport Riverfront last year.

The show follows a format in which Sooty and his friends are preparing for a birthday party but chaos rules supreme as party preparations including song, dance and magic tricks spiral out of control.

The Sooty Show encourages interaction from the offset, with Richard, Sooty, Sweep and Soo getting adults and children regularly joining in with renditions of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes as well as various volunteers plucked from the audience enlisted to help with birthday cake making and party games.

All the activity isn’t confined to the stage. “You thought you’d got the best seats in the house didn't you?” teased Richard as he gave the front row a super soaking with a giant water pistol from the stage before descending on the rest of the audience.

The plot and on-stage actions generated real belly laughs and chuckles from grown-ups and children alike and that’s what makes this show a sure-fire hit. As Richard stated towards the end of the show, “the real magic is that Sooty has continued to entertain generations of children for 67 years!”

Long may it continue!

• The Sooty Show Official Website

In Concert: Solid Silver 60s Show - 30th Anniversary, St David's Hall

“I was there!” stated soul legend PP Arnold to the audience as she recalled the 1960s on the stage of St David’s Hall on Wednesday evening. Looking at Miss Arnold, her youthful looks betrayed the longevity of her half-century music career but as she belted out classics such as The First Cut Is the Deepest and Angel of the Morning with backing from New Amen Corner, it became apparent this really was PP Arnold!

PP Arnold was one of several original 60s acts taking part in the incredible 30th anniversary show for the Solid Silver 60s. Chris Farlowe joined PP on stage for an upbeat version of Private Number before launching into his own set which included renditions of Handbags & Gladrags and his chart-topper Out Of Time.

Meeting PP Arnold

The first half closed with The Merseybeats lead by founder members Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley performing rousing renditions of Cavern Club favourite Hey Baby as well as their own hits I Think of You and Sorrow.

There were more Mersey Sound legends in the second half. The original voice of The Searchers’ Mike Pender delighted fans with favourites Sweets for My Sweet and Needles & Pins as well as the rarity Four Strong Winds.

Finally Billy J Kramer made a welcome reappearance for the first time in two decades performing many songs written for him by John Lennon and Paul McCartney including From a Window and Bad to Me.

Everyone was on stage for the finale, a rendition of the Dave Clark Five’s Glad All Over, summing up the feelings of both the performers and audience perfectly.

• A version of this review by Andy Howells appeared on The South Wales Argus website on April 2, 2015.
• Andy Howells Interview With Billy J Kramer
• The Solid Silver 60s Official Website
• Billy J Kramer Official Website
• The Merseybeats Official Website
• Mike Pender Official Website
• PP Arnold Official Website
• Chris Farlowe Official Website
• New Amen Corner Official Website