4 minute read
It’s show time
TheshowMust Go On
The show Waitress will be stopping by Venue Cymru as part of its national tour (Credit Jeremey Daniel)
Venue Cymru is standing by ready to open its doors from next month, and it has a rather exciting line up to entice the regions theatregoers…
Theatres around the country were the first to close amid the pandemic, and
one of the only industries to have remained closed in their entirety over the past 17 months.
However, there is a ‘spot light’ at the end of this very long interval for Venue Cymru, who has announced an opening date for some of its face-to-face services.
A lot of you will have visited Venue Cymru during its time closed and seen it in a very different, yet important, guise. “We’re proud to have been able to assist the NHS in their remarkable vaccination effort which has enabled us to get to this point,” said a spokesperson for the venue.
Venue Cymru’s box office will reopen on site from 1st September, alongside
Catlin’s Café Bar. The venue’s box office has worked on a much scaled-back
staff with all bookings moving online and via the telephone. The box office
team, together with the programming and marketing staff, have together undertaken a huge task of rescheduling in excess of 500 performances. Hopefully, they’re nearing the end of that task.
“We’re looking forward to our programme of live events and have been planning ahead since last March,” continued the spokesperson. “We know
Aladdin is this years pantomime
Venue Cymru’s box office will reopen on site from 1st September
the biggest question on all your minds is ‘when can I actually see a live show?’ We’re waiting for absolute clarification from the
Welsh Assembly Government this month, but we’re poised and waiting for that ‘beginners call’ (hopefully) on 5th September, which is an evening with Jane McDonald.” North Wales’ premier venue also looks likely to be in full swing for their annual Pantomime, the perfect family occasion for all to enjoy. Aladdin could be the perfect end to a really unsettling year, providing the laugh everyone needs. John Evans will be taking a lead role after a hiatus in Liverpool. This year’s production will be co-produced by Venue Cymru and Imagine Theatre – a team created in North Wales specifically for their audiences, with
creatives, artists and freelancers who have all been ‘Made in North Wales’.
There is inevitably going to be reluctance to travel for a while. There has been a surge in staycations, and Llandudno is a really popular destination for many at the moment. The town, and North Wales as a whole, is lucky to have Venue Cymru on their doorstep as it is on the touring circuit for all major West End productions.
All being well with the 5th September opening, The
Rocky Horror show starring Ore Oduba, could be one epic opening party for Venue Cymru from 13th September. Hit musical 9 to 5 and The School of Rock are also listed this side of
Christmas for all musical theatre fans. New musicals like Waitress and Dreamgirls are on the billing in the spring, and classics like Jersey Boys and Footloose mean you won’t need to travel to the major cities for long awaited and world class live entertainment.
How things will look inside the theatre, and how things will work and operate will be determined by the Welsh Assembly Government at its next announcement. “The safety of our visitors and our team members remains of paramount importance, and we will continue to follow the advice and guidance from the Welsh Government,” added the spokesperson.
Sarah Ecob, Head of Service: Arts and Culture, added: “That first night when we hear the announcement,
‘Ladies and Gentlemen, the doors to the auditorium are now open and it’s time to take your seats’ it’s going to be very special. We cannot wait to welcome you back. The long awaited return of live events is almost upon us, and what a programme we have lined up for you! So enjoy, and thank you for your loyalty and support over the past 18 months.”
Theatres need their audiences more than ever. Venue Cymru is a quality venue offering the best productions on the touring circuit – what a gem for North Wales. n
