January - April 2023 Artistic Brochure

Arts and Innovation Centre What’s on January - April 2023 Featuring ... Welsh National Opera / Pijin / Croendena / Bangor Music Festival BBC NOW / Pedair... and more!

Bangor COPI AM DDIM FREE COPY

CHINESE NEW YEAR GALA

Join Bangor University’s Confucius Institute to celebrate the Chinese New Year 2023, the Year of the Rabbit

Calligraphy Workshops 10am + 2pm Try your hand at the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy.

Keep an eye out for a special cinema screening at Pontio Cinema to celebrate the Chinese New Year!

FREE PERFORMANCES

Chinese Music

11am

A live performance of the Chinese guzheng by Kewen Yu 3.50pm Mengling Li plays the traditional Xun, Vessel flute

Chinese Gala

12.30pm

Free but ticketed

A spectacular audio-visual feast of Chinese traditional music and dance. A display of fascinating performances by a young group of artists from Goldsmith University featuring Chinese dance and musical performance will take the audiences to the heart of China!

Tai Chi and Wu Qin Xi

11.30am

Join us for an uplifting performance by members of Bangor University's Confucius Institute of Tai Chi and Wu Qin Xi on the plaza.

LIVE

THEATRE

SCREENINGS STRAIGHT FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE, LONDON AT PONTIO CINEMA

OTHELLO

Thursday 23 February, 7pm Sunday 26 February, 2pm

Giles Terera, Rosy McEwen, Paul Hilton

An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance).

THE CRUCIBLE

Thursday 26 January, 7pm Sunday 29 January, 2pm

Erin Doherty, Brendan Cowel

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma). Please see pontio.co.uk for Royal Opera House Live screenings

GOOD

Thursday 20 April, 7pm Sunday 23 April, 2pm

David Tennant David Tennant (Doctor Who) makes a much-anticipated return to the West End in a blistering reimagining of one of Britain’s most powerful, political plays.

Something is happening in the woods, voices can be heard, and a strange metallic smell fills the air. Machines are gathering at its edge and a mysterious call is heard across the valley. Laura the ladybird, Jeffrey the spider, Brett the Woodlouse and Willoughby the Woodpecker are worried. Velda the Vixen knows there’s one person who can help them – Grandad. But is there enough time? Can they save the woods? And will the mystery stranger help?

FRÂN WEN

CROENDENA

Thursday 9 February, 7.30pm

Friday 10 February, 7.30pm Studio

£15 / £13 concessions

Seshes in the local. Beach days and body shame. Gossips. Boys on the pull. National Trust car park fumbles.

The summer is here. The gals are ready to party and life is full of possibilities. Some relationships flourish, others falter. But can Nel handle it?

Betsan Ceiriog stars in this brand new Welsh language dramedy about a young girl determined to follow her own path.

This is the latest production from young playwright Mared Llywelyn, one of the most exciting voices in Welsh theatre.

A new commission from Frân Wen, the monodrama is directed by Rhian Blythe. 14+

PEDAIR

Pontio are relaxed, cabaret-style music nights in Theatr Bryn Terfel, join us and the following musicians this Spring! Saturday 11 March, 8pm

CERYS HAFANA Saturday 11 February, 7.30pm

IFY IWOBI

£5 Join Swansea born Ify Iwobi, a BBC Radio Wales Welsh A-List Artist, an Award Winning Welsh/Nigerian Classical/ Contemporary Pianist, Songwriter, Composer and Producer for our first Cabaret night of 2023.

| £13 Pedair, draws on the talents of four of Wales' most prominent and award-winning folk artists: Gwenan Gibbard, Gwyneth Glyn, Meinir Gwilym and Siân James. Together their live performances have captured the imaginations and hearts of audiences with their sweeping harmonies, fresh interpretations of the Welsh folk tradition, and intimacy of song-writing.

BANGOR MUSIC FESTIVAL

Theme: Improvisation

Over two days the Bangor Music Festival will give a unique opportunity to explore the spontaneous creativity of musical improvisation while experiencing the latest in contemporary and experimental music. The ‘Improvisation Day’ event on the Friday will feature a series of talks and workshops, with a lunchtime concert by David Toop and some evening jazz with the Pax Demir Trio (in collaboration with Cabaret Pontio). During Saturday the Tern ensemble and guests will explore free improvisation in a group setting and Theatr Bryn Terfel will be the location for the final concert where Electroacoustic Wales will be joined by talented harpist Milana Zarić and sound artist and featured composer Richard Barrett.

Throughout the festival, musical events will take place in various locations within Pontio, with an opportunity for our youngest audiences to experience music in the company of Marie-Claire Howorth in addition to the performance of student compositions by the Bangor New Music Ensemble. Join us in the celebrations!

19 30, Studio, Pontio Cabaret Pontio presents : Pax Demir Trio A relaxing evening of Asian music and jazz improvisation

19

13.00, Studio, Pontio Tern in concert Phil Wachsmann (violin), Emil Karlsen (percussion), Martin Hacket (Korg MS10), and guests A concert exploring free improvisation for a chamber group of players.

For a full list of events during the Bangor Music Festival please scan

Marie-Claire Howorth

30, Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio Milana Zarić (harp), Richard Barrett (composer and sound artist) with Electroacoustic Wales

The premiere of two new pieces by Barrett alongside BMF commissions by Robin Haigh & Poumpak Charuprakorn

PIJIN / PIGEON

Based on the novel ‘Pigeon’ by Alys Conran

Adapted for the stage by Bethan Marlow

Pigeon is one in a million. At least that’s what his best friend Iola thinks. Brave, funny and a bit dangerous, there’s no one else she’d rather spend time with. But life is far from sweet.

Set in the shadow of the north Wales slate quarries in the early ’90s, this is a gripping tale about growing up, the

power of words, friendship and just how far people will go for love. Based on the best-selling novel Pigeon by author Alys Conran, and adapted for the stage by Bethan Marlow. Welsh and English are subtly woven together, and every performance will use integrated captioning in both Welsh and English.

Age Guidance: 13+ (Contains strong language and themes of domestic violence)

A THEATR GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU AND THEATR IOLO PRODUCTION, IN ASSOCIATION WITH PONTIO

HUMPERDINCK OPERA: HANSEL AND GRETEL

Thursday 9 March, 7pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel

£20 / £18 concessions

Times are tough for Hansel and Gretel’s parents. When the children’s overworked mum finds them shirking their chores and dancing, it’s the last straw. Banished to the woods, the children wander into the clutches of a wicked witch who plans to turn them into gingerbread. With only their cunning to protect them, how will they ever escape the oven?

Sung in English

LANGUAGE IS À VIRUS: A

CHILE-WALES SOUND POETRY CONTAGION

Saturday 11 March, 7.30pm Studio

£5 / £3 concessions

In a varied evening of solo and collaborative work connecting sound and visual poent in Latin America, Europe and the UK, Andrés Anwandter, Martín Bakero, Felipe Cussen, Nia Davies, Adrian Fisher, Luna Montenegro, Zoë Skoulding and Rhys Trimble share their infectious enthusiasm for language as a sound source in all its mutations and variants.

MID WALES OPERA

Bangor Univeristy Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

Sunday

Bangor University Symphony Orchestra

Sunday

BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES PRESENTS…

TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY

NO . 5

Friday 17 March, 7.30pm

Prichard-Jones Hall

£15 - £5

Family Tickets available

BBC NOW’s Principal Conductor, the award-winning Ryan Bancroft, takes to the podium for this dynamic and groundbreaking concert, kicking off the action with Tansy Davies’ Monolith: I Extend My Arms. A rock-like strata of canons, simultaneously dense and translucent form the inspiration for this percussive, rhythmical and bubbly work.

CHILL OUT WITH SIAN ELERI

Saturday 18 March, 7.30pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel

£12 - £5

Join BBC NOW and radio presenting sensation Sian Eleri at Pontio for an evening of chilled out classics. Kick off your shoes, sit back and unwind to the sounds of the symphony orchestra in some of the most calming music ever written.

Thursday 23 March, 7.30pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel

Two physically thrilling dance works to set your pulse racing.

Marcos Morau (creator of Tundra) returns with the haunting, sumptuous and razorsharp Waltz. While Sarah Golding & Yukiko Masui (SAY) will make you want to get up and groove with SAY SOMETHING , a visual and sonic feast of movement and beatboxing. Join NDCWales for a powerful evening of dance.

Friday 24 March, 1pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel

Thursday 6 April, 7.30pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel

£18 | £15

Physically exhilarating and touchingly poignant, Knot is the internationally acclaimed circus and dance work by Nikki Rummer and JD Broussé. These talented performers use hand-tohand circus skills to tell the tale of an impossible choice: How can we be honest with ourselves without hurting those we love? Knot is a finely crafted theatrical journey through the struggles of commitment.

Y BONT / THE BRIDGE

Saturday 1 April, 7pm

Studio

£10 / £8 concessions

“Mae rhywun yn ceisio cyfathrebu gyda ni” Kiefer Jones stars in this new one-act opera from Marian Bryfdir and Edward Wright as part of an Arts Council of Wales-funded project with the IDEAL dementia research programme. Suitable for anyone interested in the experience of living with dementia.

MARK STEEL

Friday 21 April, 8pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel

£17

Mark Steel comes to town, a regular on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, QI and BBCR4’s News Quiz. He has been named newspaper columnist of the year and is author of the award-winning audiobook Who Do I Think I Am.

Workshops

Lunch on the Fly

Every other Monday

£6 / £40 for 8 sessions 16+

Caffi Babis

First Friday of the Month £3

Suitable for children upto 24 months old

Yoga with Ceri Lloyd

Mondays, 8pm £8.50

Held in Welsh, also suitable for Welsh language learners.

Dance For Parkinsons

Tuesdays, 1.30pm £3.50

Suitable for anyone living with Parkinson’s

Year 3 and 4 – 5-6pm Year 5 and 6 – 6.15-7.15pm

Year 7, 8 and 9 – 6.30-7.30pm Year 10-13 – 7.45-8.45pm

Leitir Móir, Ireland 2022

Eighteen of BLAS’ member went on a trip to the Muintearas centre, Leitir Móir, Ireland in November 2022. The purpose of the trip was to learn am Ireland, the language and history and explore the cultural connections between the Welsh and the Irish, their lanuages and heritage. The centre is located on one of the islands of Gaeltacht, nestled between the mountains and the sea, an hour away from Galway. A busy week of dancing, learning, walking, battling the elements and eating! Some trip highlights include learning

about the similarities between the Welsh and Gaelic languages, learning Welsh and Irish traditional folk dancing, and as cherry on the top a night of entertainment by BLAS, some of Muintearas member and two professional musicians from Ireland. We hope, in the near future, that a group from Muintearas will visit Wales in the near future, to further the relationship between both countries.

Word of the trip – CIORCAL!

Feedback from BLAS members …

“This trip made me proud to be Welsh”

“I had my first dream in Welsh last night!”

“They gave us more food than air!”

January – May 2023

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

Catrin Gwilym: ‘Y mae stafell…’

3 January – 28 February 2023

A

journey of wanderings, discoveries and

Madaraja

13 – 28 February 2023

A touring exhibition of commissioned works by 15 artists from across Wales and the African continent coordinated by the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel.

March – May 2023

Free

A new event, bringing artists together in our Art Kiosk, discussing art, poetry and many other art forms. Keep an eye out for more information over the coming months.

A multidisciplinary exhibition coordinated by Pontio and Bangor University presenting diverse perspectives on trees through a series of creative installations, scientific events and performances. Including a special commission by Anthony Morris and a residency by Utopias Bach.

Group Bookings

We cater for groups and schools and can occasionally offer great discounts. Please contact our Box Office for more information on 01248 38 28 28.

All bookings are subject to our standard terms and conditions. Please visit our website for more information https://www. pontio.co.uk/Online/term

Postal Charges

£1 mailing charge is applied if you request tickets by post. Tickets by post can only be requested until 10 days

before the event to ensure they reach you on time. After this, all pre-bought tickets can be collected from the box office or printed at home.

Families

Where a family ticket price is denoted, the offer is available to a group of four. A minimum of one member of the group must be under 18 unless stated otherwise.

Concessions

Wherever concessions are denoted for Pontio events, the following categories are

students and those over 60. Children and young people include anyone under the age of 18. Children under 2 years of age go free.

Hynt Card

Hynt cardholders are entitled to a ticket free of charge for a personal assistant or carer at Pontio and all the theatres and arts centres participating in the scheme.

Visit hynt.co.uk or www.hynt. cymru to find a range of

DIDDORDEB MEWN

GWIRFODDOLI?