Arts and Innovation Centre Bangor
FREE COPY
Artistic Programme January – April 2019 1
Welcome to Pontio Opening hours Monday to Saturday 8.30am–11.00pm Sunday 12.00pm-8.00pm For Easter opening hours, please check pontio.co.uk or ask at the Box Office. Tickets Online www.pontio.co.uk 01248 38 28 28 Ticket enquiries: info@pontio.co.uk Cegin Cafe Level 3 Monday-Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm Saturday & Sunday closed
Gorad Restaurant Level 2 Monday 8.30am - 6.00pm Tuesday – Saturday 8.30am – last food orders 8pm Sunday 12.00pm – last food orders 6pm Bar Ffynnon Level 0 Monday to Saturday 11am to 9.00pm (open until 11pm for evening performances) Sunday 12.00pm to 6.00pm
Information is correct at time of going to print Registered Charity Number: 1141565
Theatr Bryn Terfel Seating Plan
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If you would like a large print version or audio copy of the text of this programme, please contact us on 01248 38 28 28
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*Configurations for Theatr Bryn Terfel are flexible, please see website for the configuration for your chosen performance.
Box office hotline: 01248 38 28 28 Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 8.30pm Sunday 12.00pm - 6.00pm
Pontio at a glance January – April 2019 JANUARY Friday 11 Thursday 17 Saturday 19 Sunday 20 Wednesday 23 Thursday 24 Saturday 26
WNO: A Night in Vienna Comedy Club Touching Syria Dancing Through Life The Dark The Dark Teulu Pontio Family: Little Gift
Page 4 8 10 11 12 12 15
Cabaret Pontio: Bardd UniBrass 2019 Contest and Gala Concert
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Wednesday 6 Friday 8 Saturday 9 Thursday 14 Friday 15 Tuesday 19 Wednesday 20 Thursday 21 Friday 22 Saturday 23 Tuesday 26
8pm Contest 10:30am Gala Concert 8pm 2pm Throughout the day Throughout the day 8pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 12.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 11.30am & 2.30pm 8pm
Film, Cake & Song Afternoon Bangor Music Festival 2019 Bangor Music Festival 2019 Comedy Club Music in Gorad Cwmni'r Frân Wen: Anweledig Cwmni'r Frân Wen: Anweledig Cwmni'r Frân Wen: Anweledig Cwmni'r Frân Wen: Anweledig Teulu Pontio Family: Pen-blwydd Poenus Pete Villagers
19 20-21 20-21 24 23 25 25 25 25 26 27
MARCH Friday 1 Wednesday 6 Thursday 7 Sunday 10 Tuesday 12 Wednesday 13 Thursday 14 Friday 15 Friday 15 Saturday 16 Sunday 17 Tuesday 19 Tuesday 19 Wednesday 20 Thursday 28 Thursday 28 Friday 29 Saturday 30
7.30pm 1-3pm 7.30pm 6pm 7.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 7pm 8pm 7.30pm 1:30pm & 4pm 7.15pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 8pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 11.30am & 2.30pm
Celebrating Dilys Elwyn-Edwards Cofio’r Bugail: Panel Trafod y Ffilm Hedd Wyn Cartographic Imaginaries: Visualising Alys Conran's Pigeon Bangor University Symphony Orchestra Into the Light Mid Wales Opera: Operatif Mid Wales Opera: Tosca Cymdeithas John Gwilym Jones: Ac Eto Nid Myfi Barely Methodical Troupe: KIN Best of BE FESTIVAL Tripula National Dance Company Wales: Awakening Merched Caerdydd / Nos Sadwrn o Hyd Merched Caerdydd / Nos Sadwrn o Hyd Comedy Club SODA BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thibaut Garcia Teulu Pontio Family: A Musical Journey through Europe
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APRIL Friday 5 Sunday 7 Thursday 11 Friday 12 Friday 12 Saturday 13 Tuesday 16 Thursday 18 Saturday 13 Thursday 25 Wednesday 24 Thursday 25 Friday 26 Tuesday 30
7pm 3.30pm 7.30pm 8pm 8pm 1.30pm & 3.30pm 11.30am-2pm 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm 7.30pm 8pm 11.30am-2pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm
BLAS Bach Show Chamber Choir of Wales East meets West Kiri Pritchard-Mclean: Victim, Complex Cabaret Pontio: Siân James Teulu Pontio Family: Jack and the Beanstalk Soundtrack Disco Pontio’s Easter Bunny Adventure! Gruffydd Wyn Comedy Club Soundtrack Disco OPRA Cymru: Fidelio Music in Gorad Bost-Uni Plues
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FEBRUARY Friday 1 Saturday 2
Time 7.30pm 8pm Throughout the day 4pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 11.30am & 2.30pm
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Audience Feedback from last season... On Now or Never circus show performed in a big top on Coleg Menai, Bangor site
“Wow!! Brilliant evening! Thank you Band Jazz Tryfan, Pontio and Circa Tsuica.”
On Pontio Fun Palace, free creative events for all ages
“We had a great day out here yesterday. Pizza making, karate and sports dance. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”
On The Submerged Cathedral, a school project and concert celebrating Debussy
“I knew I was in for something special tonight…it all blended together to create a truly interesting evening, I loved it to be honest.” 2
A New Year and a New Artistic Feast The start of a new year and new season is the appropriate time to first of all thank you, our faithful audience, for your enthusiasm and support over the past year and your regular attendance at drama productions and gigs, circus shows and conversations. We sincerely hope that the programme for the coming year, be it drama, opera, films, cabaret, concerts,
ICronfa Datblygu Pontio IPontio Development Fund
comedy shows or children’s shows, will appeal to you in the same manner and encourage you to keep returning. It is also an opportunity for us to warmly thank our volunteers who ensure our enjoyment whenever we visit Pontio. They look after each and every one who attend events here at Pontio and we are greatly indebted to them.
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Lastly, I would like to thank the staff members within the technical, marketing, front of house, box office, operations, administrative and artistic departments as well as the catering staff for helping to make all of this possible. We look forward to seeing you back here in 2019! Pontio’s Artistic Team
Friday 11 January 7.30pm WNO Orchestra
A Night in Vienna Theatr Bryn Terfel £17/£16 over 60's /£5 students and under 18s Including a glass of Prosecco: £19.50/£18.50 over 60s/£7.50 students* * ID will be required
Following an extremely well received concert in 2018, WNO Orchestra returns to their Bangor Residency in January with another popular New Year concert. This year we present a programme with not just our talented orchestra but also the extra dimension of song to truly uncork the spirit of Vienna in the concert hall. Directed as usual by our
Leader and Concertmaster David Adams, the concert opens with the irrepressible energy of Weber’s Oberon Overture. We then feature David as soloist in extraordinarily elegant and virtuosic works by Fritz Kreisler. In line with time honoured tradition, the Orchestra then takes you through a delightful selection of ever-popular 4
Viennese waltzes, polkas and song which are known and loved the world over. Strauss’s Laughing Song, Csárdás, Lehar’s Vilja, the evergreen Blue Danube and stirring Radetsky March are sure to make this a Very Happy New Year from WNO to you!
Following the success of the first SYNTHESIS project which encouraged two pairs of different scientists and artists to collaborate in developing ideas which bridge their two worlds, we are looking for new projects. Joint applications are invited for the fund of £2,000. Last year’s successful applicants were photonics scientist Ray Davies of the Photonics Academy of Wales Bangor (PAWB) and
Kate Lawrence, director of Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence with In-Visible Light, and a collaboration between oceanographer Dr Jonathan Malarkey, and multi-media artists, Lindsey Colbourne and Lisa Hudson who created Llif/Flow. Contact Shari Llewelyn on s.llewelyn@bangor.ac.uk or 01248 382 179 for further information about SYNTHESIS 2.
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Closing date for SYNTHESIS 2 application s: 28 January 2019
Monday 14 January 12pm Wednesday 27 February 12pm Monday 11 March 12pm Monday 15 April 12pm Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence and Pontio
Lunch on the Fly Studio £6/£20 for the 4 sessions This is a fun session in which you can have a go at vertical dance. Starting with an easy warm up, you will then try to stand on and jump off a vertical floor using waist harnesses. You will be guided through some simple positions, and then you will fly!
Try it for 1 session or pay for the 4 for a lower price! Wear comfortable clothing with snug layers around waist and top of legs. Age: 16+ Limited capacity – space for 12 people only.
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sinema cinema
Live screenings coming up at Pontio Cinema…
NT LIVE: The Tragedy of King Richard the Second 15 January
ROH LIVE: The Queen of Spades 22 January
ROH LIVE: La Traviata 30 January
NT LIVE: I’m Not Running 31 January
Please see monthly cinema brochure for details of other live screenings not yet announced and full cinema 7 listings, or contact the Box Office on 01248 38 28 28
ROH LIVE: Don Quixote 19 February
ROH LIVE: La Forza Del Destino 2 April
ROH LIVE: Faust 30 April
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Bwyty Restaurant
Comedy Club Meal Deal Burger & Beer*
£10
*Or 175ml glass of house wine or soft drink Vegetarian burger available
To book: 01248 383826 bwydabar@pontio.co.uk flyer.indd 3
Available on every Comedy Club event Bwyd a Diod Food & Drink
26/02/2018 16:21:22
YMYL-2-EDGE Exhibition White Box Pontio, Level 2 Art meets tech to question our human experience within the modern world: an exhibition of works produced during Helfa Gelf's YMYL-2-EDGE programme in Pontio’s White Box Innovation Space, from
Saturday 19 January – Sunday 10 February 2019. (11am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm-5pm Sunday) Private View & Artists’ Talks details: www.helfagelf.co.uk/events
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Photo compilation by Remy Dean, samples of work in progress from: Susan Williams, Sarah Holyfield Stephen Green, David Thomas, Lorna Bates
Touching Syria
d Youssef
Photo: Khale
Syrian Shorts (12A)
Saturday 19 January
A Brief History of Syrian Culture 1pm, Studio, £3 Join Ffion Dafis as she interviews photographer, poet and surgeon, Khaled Youssef about what drove him to establish the organisation, Syria.Art. They will be joined by other guests from the Syrian art world and beyond.
Come to all events for a special pric e of £12
2:30pm, Cinema, £2.50
Wal Wen (White Wall)
A selection of short films curated by Khaled Youssef.
Starts at 7.30pm Pontio’s public space
Art, Culture and War
Omar Shammah, Syria.Art and Catrin Menai, CARN (Caernarfon Artist Regional Network) have been working together remotely to explore connection points between Welsh and Syrian culture. Witness the result of this creative collaboration as it is projected large-scale on Pontio’s White Wall.
4.30pm, Studio, £3 As Van Gough once said "Art is to console those who are broken by life" - how true is this statement? How vital are the Arts to give people a voice and reclaim their dignity, freedom and selfexpression? Lisa Gwilym will lead this fascinating panel discussion. Oasis World Choir and Band The choir and band from Cardiff will perform a 10 minute set by Ffynnon bar at 7.15pm
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Musiqaa Evening 8pm, Studio, £6 MUSIC + Visuals: Live Music from Blodau Gwylltion and DJs playing contemporary music from some of Wales and Syria’s leading recording artists.
Sunday 20 January 4pm Take 2 the Stage present
Dancing Through Life Theatr Bryn Terfel £10.50/£5.50 under 18s The students of Ava Williams renowned stage school in Bangor and Llangefni have been working hard all year for their end of year spectacular. This is their second show in Pontio and are so excited to be back.
Dancing Through Life is a perfect mix of song, dance and drama. Join them on a journey through broadway and beyond, with hits from The Wizard of Oz, Michael Jackson, back to the 80’s and our very own X factor.
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Dancing Through Life is all about local kids Taking 2 the Stage... Don’t miss their time to shine!
Drama
Wednesday 23 January 7.30pm Thursday 24 January 7.30pm Fuel and Ovalhouse present
The Dark Studio ÂŁ12/ÂŁ10 concessions Written by Nick Makoha Directed by Roy Alexander Weise Night is not the only darkness. Nick takes a breath as he tries to remember. Fragments of a forgotten journey flicker in front of his eyes. It is night, November 1978. He is four years old. He is holding his mother's hand as they wait on the escarpment. They are leaving Kampala.
Buying safe passage and silence with all they have, they travel by matatu and the conductor asks no questions. Their companions are the missing, lost and displaced. Those who have suffered eight long years under the rule of Idi Amin. The Dark is a story of the journey taken by a four-year old boy and his mother to escape a country divided by dictatorship and consumed by conflict.
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CINEMA@ MEAL DEAL
Bwyty
Every Wednesday
Restaurant
*Excluding certain performances see online for details
£10
CINEMA TICKET
Child main course + soft drink + popcorn
£15
CINEMA TICKET
Freshly baked 12” pizza + drink* (*either a glass of house
:
k To Boo
wine, bottle of beer or a soft drink)
Purchase online at www.pontio.co.uk Call or visit our box office 01248 382828 13
pontio.co.uk
Celebrate Dwdl’s Birthday! Join us on Saturday 26 January to celebrate Dwdl‘s (our Teulu Pontio Family mascot) birthday as he/ she turns 3 years old! The magical M6 Theatre Company will present their brand-new show, Little Gift, followed by FREE cupcake decorating sessions!
We’ve also invited some of Dwdl’s friends - S4C's Sblij a Sbloj to join in the fun and there’ll be an opportunity for you to get your photo taken in front of a special green screen with a background of your choice. Keep an eye out on our social media accounts and website for updates!
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“Leaders in their field” Children’s Theatre Reviews
Saturday 26 January 11.30am & 2.30pm M6 Theatre Company in collaboration with Andy Manley presents
Little Gift Studio £6.50/£22 Family & Friends ticket (4 people, at least one under 18) A friendship waiting to grow An old soul lives alone. He likes it that way. It’s quieter and safer. One day, a surprise visitor plants a little seed of hope and turns this lonely life upside down.
Told with exquisite puppetry, original music and a whole lot of heart, LITTLE GIFT is a brand-new story from multi award-winners M6 Theatre and Andy Manley. Join us for a visual feast to bring light into the darkest season of the year. English language production Age guidance: 3-7
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FREE cupcake decorating session with Gorad staff follows each show
Children’s meals available at Gorad restaurant from £4.25
Music
“Fantastic” “Captivating, Enchanting, Incredible, Inspiring” (Audience feedback)
Friday 1 February 8pm Cabaret Pontio presents
Bardd Theatr Bryn Terfel Early bird available until 18 January £12/£11 concessions
£14/£13 concessions Following on from the smash success of their premier showcase in June 2018, Bardd are back with two brilliant sets of their unique dualingual global music fusion. Featuring the Spoken Word Poetry of Martin Daws (Young People's Laureate Wales 2013-
16) and Emceeing of Mr Phormula (Double Wales Looping Champion 2016/18), Bardd build their sound on the harp-like repeats of Martin's Kalimba and the technical brilliance of Phormula’s Human Beatbox and Live Looping. From this Hip Hop foundation, the global musicality 16
Enjoy our delicious new Cabaret sharing platter in the theatre served to you from Ffynnon bar of the collaboration is expanded into Jazz, Folk, Afro-Funk and Drum n Bass by outstanding multiinstrumentalists Neil Yates (Trumpet/Electric Bass) and Henry Horrell (Guitar/Keys/ Harp). Produced with support by Pontio
Saturday 2 February Contest 10:30am Gala Concert 8pm
UniBrass 2019 Contest and Gala Concert Theatr Bryn Terfel & Neuadd Hugh Owen, The Management Centre Tickets from £10* From Bangor to Bristol; Cambridge to Cardiff, UniBrass 2019 will see university brass bands from across the UK descend on Bangor for a day of music making at the annual University Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
With great music and atmosphere, brass band music doesn’t get more exciting than this. Following the contest taking place at Theatr Bryn Terfel and Neuadd Hugh Owen, UniBrass will welcome Tredegar Town Band to perform at the Gala Concert in Theatr Bryn Terfel. The concert will celebrate brass band culture, paying homage to the band’s Welsh roots and UniBrass’ debut event in Wales. 17
This is a concert not to be missed. *for further information on all events, ticket prices and schedule visit: www.unibrass.co.uk/ contest/unibrass-2019/
Relaxed screenings at Pontio Cinema Saturday Mornings at 11am: 5 January, 2 February, 2 March, 6 April
Monthly Relaxed Cinema Screenings Aimed at families Pontio Cinema £5.50 for all Come and enjoy a recent family film favourite as we slightly adapt our cinema environment – so you’re free to come and go, sound levels are turned down, the lights left on at a low level, there are no trailers, able to make noise and choose to sit where you feel.
For information about the film which will be shown, grab a copy of our monthly cinema programme, go to www.pontio.co.uk or phone 01248 38 28 28
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Circus
Wednesday 6 February 2pm
Film, Cake & Song Afternoon In partnership with Welsh National Opera Aimed at 60+
"Fabulous afternoon. Looking forward to returning." “Amazing, it couldn’t have been any better. I’ve had such a wonderful afternoon!” Audience feedback from 2018 event
Pontio Cinema & Bar Ffynnon £4 Join us in Pontio's Cinema for an afternoon of entertainment and singing. The afternoon will begin with a special screening of a classic film chosen by members of the local community, with live music entertainment in the break at 3pm led by
Welsh National Opera vocal animateurs Morgana Warren-Jones and Sioned Foulkes, accompanied on piano by Annette Bryn Parri. Enjoy some tea and cake before returning to the cinema to enjoy the final half of the film. WNO Come &19Sing event
Friday & Saturday 8 - 9 February
Bangor Music Festival 2019 Theme: ACOUSTICS Gwyl Gerdd Bangor Over two days the Bangor Music Festival will give you a unique opportunity to explore the acoustics of Pontio, to learn more about science in relation to music and of course, to experience the latest in contemporary and experimental music. The Swansea Laptop Orchestra will present a sonic exploration of new works by six young composers within the CoDI ELECTRONICS concert. Familiar and unfamiliar sounds of the flute will be featured in the atmospheric concert by the talented Richard Craig and Electroacoustic Wales. Theatr Bryn Terfel will be the location for the final concert featuring the second performance by newly formed UPROAR, where they present 10 commissions by 10 composers from Wales.
Over the two days events will take place in various locations within Pontio and Mathias Hall at the School of Music and Media, with an opportunity to experience music for young children with Marie-Claire Howorth, to explore sonic objects with Techniquest Glyndŵr and to be captivated by student compositions performed by the Bangor New Music Ensemble. Join in the celebrations! Look out for intriguing artworks located throughout Pontio created by students from the Art Foundation Course at Coleg Menai, inspired by the festival’s theme – Acoustics.
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EVENTS
11:00am – 12:30pm / 3:00pm – 4:30pm Physics and Music In collaboration with Techniquest Glyndŵr Lecture Room 2, Pontio
For more information and to register visit www.bangormusicfestival.org.uk 08/02/2019 All Day Music and Science Exhibition In collaboration with Techniquest Glyndŵr Pontio Bangor
11:00am – 12:30pm The Composer: what is your brand? Workshops session for composers with Naomi Belshaw (in collaboration with Tŷ Cerdd) Level 5, Pontio
4:00pm – 6:00pm William Mathias Composition Prize Workshop Bangor University School of Music
12:30pm – 1:00pm Boom 1 Level 2, Pontio
7:30pm CoDI ELECTRONICS Swansea Laptop Orchestra with Jenn Kirby & Simon Kilshaw in collaboration with Tŷ Cerdd Studio, Pontio £15 / £12 (Senior) / £5 (Student/Child)
1:00pm Richard Craig & Electroacoustic Wales Studio, Pontio £12 / £10 (Senior) / £5 (Student/Child)
09/02/2019
4:30pm – 5:30pm Interference Bangor New Music Ensemble Level 0 – 5, Pontio
2:15pm – 2:45pm Boom 2 Level 2, Pontio
All Day Music and Science Exhibition In collaboration with Techniquest Glyndŵr Pontio Bangor
5:30pm – 5:50pm Boom 3 Level 2, Pontio
10:00am – 10:50am / 11:00am – 11:50am / 12:00pm – 12:50pm Steps in Music with Marie-Claire Howorth Groups for children: 15 months - 3 years / 4 - 7 years. Level 0, Pontio £5
6:00pm Pre-concert Talk & Festival Reception Lecture Room 2, Pontio 7:30pm 10 Composers from Wales, 10 Commissions UPROAR Wales directed by Michael Rafferty Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio £15 / £12 (Senior) / £5 (Student/Child)
10:00am – 12:00pm Masterclass led by members of UPROAR Wales Bangor University School of Music £15 (Participants) / £2 (Observers)
Subject to funding. 21
The p e r f e c t l o c a t i o n t o d i n e be f ore a s ho w o r s i m p l y t o e n j oy a re laxe d m e a l w i t h f r i e n d s a n d f am ily. Our menu features homemade dishes made with some of the finest locally sourced ingredients. We ’r e l u c k y e n o u g h t o h a v e s o m e g r e a t s u p p l i e r s o n o u r d o o r s t e p s o i t ’s a p l e a s u r e t o s h o w c a s e t h e i r p r o d u c e .
Aled Closs-Davies, Head Chef To b o o k : b w y d a b a r @ p o n t i o . c o . u k / 0124 8 3 8 3 8 2 6
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MUSIC
in Gorad
Join us for relaxed evenings of great food accompanied by live music. Th e s e e v e n t s a r e f r e e o f c h a r g e t o a l l those dining in Gorad, with performances l a s t i n g a p p ro x i m a t e l y a n ho u r.
Richy Jones F r i d a y 15 t h Fe b r u a r y | 7. 3 0 p m Vocalist Richy Jones is based in Dolgellau and sings jazz and popular songs in both English and Welsh. His trio is comprised of Andy Mackenzie on guitar and Greg Robley on double bass. Expect songs from Sinatra to Sheeran, modern interpretations of old folk tunes and reworking of classic jazz standards.
Mared Williams F r i d a y 2 6 t h A p r i l | 7. 3 0 p m Originally from Llannefydd near Denbigh, Mared began composing her own songs in secondary school and is currently studying for an MA in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 2018 she received praise for her song “Byw a Bod” which was runner up in Cân i Gymru, held in Theatr Bryn Terfel, and later that year was named Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s International Voice of Musical Theatre, which led to her performing in Australia’s Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Mared will sing a mixture of original songs and cover versions, which combine elements of jazz, pop and soul music.
Book early to secure your table b w y d a b a r @ p o n t i o . c o . u k / 012 4 8 3 8 3 8 2 6 23
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Tuesday 19 February 7.30pm (with post-show talk) Wednesday 20 February 12.30pm (school matinee) Thursday 21 February 7.30pm Friday 22 February 7.30pm
Anweledig by Aled Jones Williams
"…this is the most gripping and thrilling story I have heard in a long time if not ever maybe."
Theatr Bryn Terfel 19, 21, 22 February: £15/£12 concessions 20 February: £10 Healing is messy… A powerful and harrowing Welsh language production that follows the journey of Glenda, played by Ffion Dafis, as she struggles to deal with this invisible illness.
We follow Glenda’s fiercely personal anguish as she confronts the illness and faces life outside of hospital. How will she, her family and friends deal with the traumatic reality of recovery? Will she find light at the end of the tunnel?
Elinor Gwynn discussing Anweledig (part 1) on BBC Radio Cymru (13/07/14).
This final instalment brings closure to the Anweledig series inspired by medical records from the old Denbigh mental health hospital in North Wales. Unsuitable for under 14s.
During the interval and after the performance… Photo by Kirsten McTernan
A specially commissioned piece for the White Wall by Pontio responding to themes arising from the drama ‘Anweledig’.
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Saturday 23 February 11.30am & 2.30pm Theatr Iolo presents
Pen-blwydd Poenus Pete Studio £6.50/£22 family and friends ticket (4 people, at least one under 18)
A sparkling and biting comedy for the whole family by award winning playwright Gary Owen. There’s a family - Mum, Dad, two children and Cadi the cat. Dad says he doesn’t want any fuss at all so Mum takes him at his word. BUT, when disappointment and fury combine with the cat’s mischievous power, hilarious chaos ensues. Welsh language production Age guidance: 6+
Come along to the Studio before the show at 10.30am or 1.30pm and enjoy some entertaining pre-performance family activities designed to help Welsh learners of all ages understand the show. We’ll also have some free Welsh learner packs available! Free but ticketed 26
FREE creative workshop follows each show
Gig
Tuesday 26 February 8pm
Villagers Theatr Bryn Terfel £20 Always restless and inventive while always true to the power and glory of songwriting and melody, Conor O’Brien has made another great leap forward with Villagers’ fourth studio album, The Art Of Pretending To Swim.
reconnects with the multi-faceted approach of Villagers’ 2010 album debut Becoming A Jackal and 2013’s {Awayland} while adding a new-found soulfulness, rhythmic nous and dazzling panoply of sonic detail.
Following the exquisitely sparse, intimate aura of 2015’s Darling Arithmetic, O’Brien’s new record
Balanced with subtle aspects and lyrical themes that embrace existential fears and hopes in this
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desperate, technologicallycentred dystopian age, The Art Of Pretending To Swim is the most brilliantly realised Villagers album to date. Villagers consists of 5 band members including Gwion Llewelyn, originally from Anglesey and Mali Llywelyn, originally from Penarth. Age 14+ Stand up gig
Friday 1 March 7.30pm
Celebrating Dilys Elwyn-Edwards Theatr Bryn Terfel
Pontio and Bangor University’s School of Music will also hold a Masterclass with Elin Manahan Thomas
£14/£12 over 60s/£5 students & under 18s A concert featuring the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, the Crowned Bard and National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn and Bangor University's Chamber Choir It is a pleasure for us on St David’s Day to give prominence to one of the principal composers of her generation who is held in such high esteem in the field of Welsh song - Dilys ElwynEdwards – at the end of a year when she would have been celebrating her hundredth birthday.
Brought up in Dolgellau, she studied composition with the English composer Herbert Howells, before spending most of her life in Caernarfon, on the shores of the Menai Straits, where she produced a small collection of vocal compositions. Tonight, we will have an opportunity to listen to a selection of these stunning Welsh songs performed by the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, including Caneuon Gwynedd (Songs of Gwynedd) and Caneuon y Tri Aderyn (Songs of the Three Birds). 28
They are all settings of poems by our nation’s most prominent poets, amongst them R. Williams Parry, T. Gwynn Jones, Dic Jones, Gwyn Thomas and Saunders Lewis. During the evening we will have readings from our National Poet, Ifor ap Glyn, culminating in a specially commissioned poem and song by Ifor ap Glyn and the composer Geraint Lewis, to mark the occasion.
Wednesday 6 March 1-3pm Pontio's BLAS Project presents
Cofio’r Bugail: Panel Trafod y Ffilm Hedd Wyn Studio £3 Following the success of our previous sessions exploring prominent Welsh texts, this time we bring together a panel of experts to discuss the Oscar nominated film, Hedd Wyn. The film is based on the life of poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, Hedd Wyn who was killed in the First World War. He was posthumously awarded the Chair at the 1917 National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Among those confirmed are: Dr Gerwyn Wiliams Gwen Ellis Chaired by Dr Manon Wyn Williams Aimed particularly at those studying the film as part of WJEC syllabus, but open to all.
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Wednesday 6 March, 9.30am Theatr Bryn Terfel FREE Biggest Book Show on Earth A special event for schools with authors inspiring children to read. Contact Angharad. sinclair@llyfrau.cymru for more information. Don’t forget about the Arts Council of Wales’ Go and See scheme that schools can use to fund visits to high-quality arts events. Visit www.arts.wales for details. With thanks to S4C and Pendefig for providing the image
Thursday 7 March 7.30pm
Cartographic Imaginaries: Visualising Alys Conran's Pigeon Studio FREE but ticketed Alys Conran’s awardwinning novel Pigeon (2016), set in and around Bethesda, inspired the artist Amy Sterly to create ‘The Missing Piece/Y Darn Sydd ar Goll’. The two were brought together by Literary Atlas, an AHRC-funded project led by Professor Jon Anderson (Cardiff University) and Professor Kirsti Bohata (Swansea University). The project set out to create an online atlas of ‘literary maps’ of novels set in Wales. Later, these
maps were supplemented by a commission of twelve original artworks created in response to the novels and their settings. In this session, Jon Anderson will talk with Alys Conran and Amy Sterly about their work, and about the fascinating interconnections between fiction, maps, visual art, and the people and places they depict. Website: literaryatlas. wales/literaryatlas.cymru Twitter: @LitAtlasWales 30
The tour will be accompanied by 'microfiction' creative writing workshops that use Literary Atlas' "MiPlot" public microfiction map. The workshops at Pontio/ Storiel will take place on 8-9 March. For more information, please visit http://literaryatlas.wales/ en/microfictions/
Sunday 10 March 6pm
Bangor University Symphony Orchestra Theatr Bryn Terfel £12/£10 over 60s /£5 students & under 18s Professor Chris Collins (conductor) Louise Farrenc: Symphony No. 3 in G minor, Op. 36 Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (complete ballet) The first ballet commissioned by the great Serge Diaghilev, The Firebird arrived on the Parisian stage in 1910 in an explosion of colour, energy and movement, affecting everything from
musical composition to haute couture. Its magical score was by the 28-yearold Igor Stravinsky, and in it we find the first stirrings of everything that was to characterise the twentieth century in music. The Third Symphony of the French composer Louise Farrenc (1804-75) received its first performance in Paris 61 years earlier. With that performance, Farrenc successfully defied the 31
conventions of her time which largely barred the work of women composers from the concert hall. It is a magnificent work, in which Farrenc brings her own voice to the contemporary symphonic idiom of Schumann and Mendelssohn. This concert will also feature a concerto performance with the 2019 winner of Bangor University’s soloist competition.
Tuesday 12 March 7.30pm A Hijinx and Teatro La Ribalta (Italy) production in association with Frantic Assembly, in partnership with Danza Mobile (Spain) & the Sherman Theatre
Theatr Bryn Terfel £10/£8 concessions We all seek interaction, connection and validation. The glow of our mobile phones invites us to be appreciated, cherished and loved. The challenge of stepping out on stage offers us something similar. But are we illuminated or are we exposed?
Directed by Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham and incorporating an international cast of performers with and without learning disabilities, Hijinx & Teatro la Ribalta’s Into the Light is daring physical theatre about the right to be seen and heard, performed by those we need to see and hear. Followed by a Q&A session
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Wednesday 13 March 6.30pm
Operatif Ffynnon Bar FREE Following on from the success of last year’s Operatif, Mid Wales Opera soloists, renowned Welsh tenor Robyn Lyn Evans and soprano Alys Mererid Roberts join forces again with local aspiring singers including Kiefer
Jones, Morgana WarrenJones and Erin Williams, to perform operatic excerpts in the informal setting of Bar Ffynnon on Level 0. Something to whet your appetite for Tosca!
A resource for teaching, research, public education and enjoyment.
Regular volunteering session every Wednesday & Friday
Treborth Botanic Garden comprises planted borders, species-rich natural grassland, ponds, arboretum, Chinese garden, ancient woodland, and a rocky shoreline habitat. Six glasshouses provide specialised environments for tropical, temperate, orchid and carnivorous plant collections.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
We organise regular talks, plant sales, specialist workshops, crafts and more!
01248 353398
CONTACT US Treborth Botanic Garden Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2RQ www.treborth.bangor.ac.uk treborth@bangor.ac.uk
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Enjoy our delicious sharing platter during the performance, served to you from the bar from £7.95
Music
Thursday 14 March 7.30pm Mid Wales Opera
Theatr Bryn Terfel £19/£18 over 60s/£10 students & under 18s Power and passion collide in Puccini’s breathtaking masterpiece Tosca. Trapped in a life and death struggle against the corrupt police chief Scarpia, the diva Tosca and her artist lover face the ultimate sacrifice.
Join MWO on tour this Spring, as Puccini’s lavish score takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride from tender love story through powerful brutality to ultimate tragedy.
Artistic Director: Richard Studer Music Director: Jonathan Lyness Orchestra: Ensemble Cymru Sung in English
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Drama
rama e old D es d by th n rforme n Gwilym Jo e p fi y h y Jo Nid M Ac Eto nd directed b a Society
Friday 15 March 7pm Cymdeithas John Gwilym Jones present
Ac Eto Nid Myfi by John Gwilym Jones Studio £5 This is an entertaining and lively play that discusses adolescence and growing up, love and people’s relationships with one another. But the most important questions it raises are who are we and what are the factors which determine our path in life.
This play was first performed by the Welsh Drama Society at University College Bangor, and this performance is delivered by that society in its new guise and under its new name, Cymdeithas John Gwilym Jones.
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Circus
Friday 15 March 8pm
Photo: Tristram Kenton
Barely Methodical Troupe
KIN Theatr Bryn Terfel Early bird available until 1 March £12/£10 concessions
£14/£12 concessions The boys from the 2015 smash BROMANCE are back in this red-hot, 5-star piece of circus about group dynamics and camaraderie. AND they’ve brought friends! Their physical prowess is deftly deployed, as
tumbling, flying and catching become challenges and opportunities for individual bids for recognition. One of the UK’s hottest circus companies Barely Methodical Troupe are at the forefront of a new kind of physical performance,
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“A beautiful, sad, funny complicated thing…” The Stage
creating highly entertaining shows that mix the showstopping acrobatics of circus with the emotional punch of theatre. Age guidance: 8+ Supported by Arts Council England
Saturday 16 March 7.30pm
Best of BE FESTIVAL Studio £14/£12 concessions An exhilarating medley of circus, theatre and illusion all in one astounding evening. Each year, BE FESTIVAL packages up three of their favourite shows from their international festival and sends them on a tour of the UK. In Take Care of Yourself Swiss daredevil and circus performer Marc Oosterhoff, lines up a ludicrous amount of whisky shots and downs them, before attempting to perform a series of hairraising stunts.
UK performance artist, illusionist and professional liar Tom Cassani, questions our collective construction of truth and lies in Someone Loves You Drive With Care. Kulu Orr’s funny, pulsating, almost perfectly controlled multimedia circus show, Control Freak, demonstrates his computer genius and desperate pursuit to control everything on stage using various electronic suits of his design. Age guidance: 14+
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“Ground-breaking new theatre from across Europe” The Guardian 2016
Sunday 17 March 1:30pm & 4pm
TRIPULA Farrés Brothers & Co., Catalonia Theatr Bryn Terfel £10 A voyage in an aerostatic balloon! A show to navigate beyond the world, leaving you transported by the air and your imagination. Two enlightened scientists have discovered a new way to travel and today will share their discovery with special group of passengers. After much work and effort they dare to show us this great evolution in transport: The Static Balloon!
Static Balloon travels through space, close to the limits of reality, allowing you to go to places that until now nobody suspected existed. The trip promises to be gentle and magical – although some set-backs might arise which will force the passengers to become the crew... The company Farrés Bros & Co. have taken a hot air balloon and transformed it into an amazing theatrical
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experience. Their work is well known across Catalonia, Spain and Europe; this is their first visit to Wales. Age guidance: 6+ Presented in Catalan and English, but language is not an integral part of the play Book early (limited capacity) Presented by Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch as part of the Agor DrysauOpening Doors International Festival 2019 supported by the Arts Council of Wales’ Lottery Fund.
Join our team of volunteers! Are you... - I nterested in Theatre, Live music and Films
-K een to learn, develop and apply new skills
-P assionate about delivering exceptional customer service
-L ooking to meet new people & build confidence
We believe that the Arts should be inclusive therefore encourage volunteers from all backgrounds to join us - the only requirements are to be aged over 16, enthusiastic, friendly and reliable.
Interested? volunteers@pontio.co.uk 01248 382666
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Dance
Tuesday 19 March 7.15pm (with post-show talk) National Dance Company Wales
AWAKENING Theatr Bryn Terfel £14/£12 concessions Choreography by: Fernando Melo, Caroline Finn and Marcos Morau. Three unique dances to amuse and amaze. Afterimage is a journey of fleeting images. A unique theatrical experience, using a mixture of mirrors in a story of appearance and disappearance told through creative style of dance.
Revellers’ Mass delves into a world of ritual. An unlikely group gathers for a dinner party, where etiquette is put to the test. Curious choreography and characters are inspired by iconic paintings. They Seek To Find The Happiness They Seem is an exploration of the disconnection that can occur within relationships. It uses reconfigured iconic moments from pop-culture. 40
Watch Dance Class Theatr Bryn Terfel 12.45pm Get a unique behind-thescenes look at how the dancers prepare just hours before the show. You can observe, sketch, record and photograph. Perfect for dance students, artists, photographers and anyone interested in peeking behind the curtain. Free but ticketed
Drama
Tuesday 19 March 7.30pm Wednesday 20 March 7.30pm A Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru production in association with the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Mas ar y Maes and OOMFF, supported by Theatr Clwyd
Merched Caerdydd Nos Sadwrn o Hyd Studio ÂŁ14/ÂŁ12 concessions Merched Caerdydd (Cardiff Girls) by Catrin Dafydd Cardiff is home to Cariad, Liberty and Awen. Whilst they each tread a very different path in life, they have more in common than their city alone. Here are three young, bright, and perhaps unexpected women from contemporary Wales, each trying to make sense
of their messy lives. Women trying to come to terms with their past whilst navigating their futures. But will change be possible? Or has their fate already been sealed? Nos Sadwrn o Hyd (Saturday Night Forever) by Roger Williams Following a messy breakup sound-tracked by Take That, Lee goes looking 41
for love and finds it. For a short while life is sweet, but after every Saturday night dawns the harsh reality of Sunday morning and, as Lee discovers, nothing lasts forever. Age guidance: 14+ Welsh language productions. English language access available through the Sibrwd app. Details: theatr.cymru
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Student Performance
Thursday 28 March 7.30pm
SODA (Bangor University’s Musical Theatre Society) presents Theatr Bryn Terfel £10/£7 concessions £30 family ticket Following the complete sell-out runs of High School Musical, Cinderella and Fame, SODA will be back performing at Pontio in March for their next show, which will be announced on their Facebook page very soon!
SODA is Bangor University’s Musical Theatre Student Society, focusing on producing quality performances and having fun. Follow SODA's social media accounts to see how rehearsals are going and for the big show announcement!
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Instagram: soda_bangor Twitter: SODA_Bangor Facebook: SODA - Bangor University’s Musical Theatre Society Snapchat: SODA_Bangor
Friday 29 March 7.30pm
BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thibaut Garcia Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University £15/£13.50 over 60s /£5 students & under 18s Family Ticket: £15/£20
Joaquín Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 BBC National Orchestra of Wales Thibaut Garcia Guitar Kensho Watanabe Conductor BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, Thibaut Garcia, joins BBC NOW to play Joaquin Rodrigo’s beautiful classic for guitar
and orchestra: Concierto de Aranjuez. The blind composer took inspiration from the fountains and gardens of the palace of Aranjuez on the shore of River Tagus, near Madrid. The Spanish melody is perfumed with roses and magnolia trees, and the tranquil flow of water can be heard. Yet, it is tinged with melancholic emotion in light of the personal tragedy which compelled Rodrigo to write the piece; and at the end of the adagio the 44
fine, weak tunes portray the ascent of a soul to heaven. In the second half of the concert, Tchaikovsky skilfully evokes the notion of fate in his fifth symphony.
Jam in the bar Join Alun Tan Lan and other musicians for an informal ukulele musical session at 9.30pm in Ffynnon bar Pontio.
Saturday 30 March 11.30am & 2.30pm BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Pontio present
A Musical Journey through Europe Studio ÂŁ6.50/ÂŁ22 Family and Friends Ticket (4 people, at least one under 18) Join us on an adventure with musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with plenty of opportunities for fun, dancing and joining in! This Interactive Participatory Family Workshop, performed by musicians from BBC NOW, will involve a musical journey to countries through specially arranged pieces of music, all narrated and led by the musicians.
Countries visited will include Spain, Hungary, Finland and countries closer to home. The session will include playing percussion instruments or using bodypercussion and copying actions. Aimed at children of primaryschool age, but children of any age are welcome (including the very young).
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Duration: 50 minutes Bilingual event
Make sure you pick up a special musical journey poster and activity sheet which will be available on the day!
BLAS is Pontio’s youth project giving children and young people a taste for the arts. We hold weekly drama workshops at the Pontio Studio: Mondays Year 3 and 4, 5-6pm Year 5 and 6, 6:15-7:15pm Wednesdays Year 7, 8 and 9, 6:30-7:30pm Year 10 – 13, 7:45-8:45pm
To book a place on the weekly workshops, please contact the Box Office on 01248 38 28 28, or for more information please contact our Arts Development Co-ordinator Mared Elliw Huws on m.huws@bangor.ac.uk or 01248 382 141.
Here’s a taste of our latest work Rumpelstiltskin – balletLORENT
Two of them were cast as Young Rumpelstiltskin and Young Shepherd's Daughter.
balletLORENT returned to Pontio with their latest production, Rumpelstiltskin. They auditioned over 90 children in an open audition and individual auditions at Ysgol Glancegin and Ysgol Bro Dewi and chose 7 local young children to be part of their production. They also had a reunion workshop with the local youth cast from their production of SnowWhite back in 2016.
Relaxed Showing In preparation for balletLORENT's relaxed performance of Rumpelstiltskin, BLAS held a workshop at Ysgol Pendalar special school on the theme of Rumpelstiltskin with the children and parents to encourage them to visit the theatre.
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In addition to the workshops BLAS works in the community and with schools.
Friday 5 April 7pm Pontio’s BLAS presents
BLAS Bach Show Theatr Bryn Terfel Tickets go on sale February 2019 The Year 3 and 4 class and Year 5 and 6 class will come together to devise a brandnew show. Follow the BLAS, Pontio Facebook Page to find out more.
Older Group’s Trip to Liverpool – The Play That Goes Wrong The two older BLAS classes enjoyed a trip to Liverpool to see the comedy The Play That Goes Wrong. We had loads of fun, and a lot of laughs.
Me, You and Lies The year 7, 8 and 9 class worked with the year 10 – 13 class on devising a brandnew show. "The youth production is about to start, but the show is far from ready, and slowly all lies creep to the surface…"
Exploring Girls’ Confidence - An Arts Research Project with Ysgol Llandygai We premiered the film “Hyder Merched” by Meinir Siencyn at Pontio Cinema. The director followed the BLAS project “Hyder Merched” and documented the process. Using music, dance and drama, issues around girls lacking confidence raised in a study by Science Journal, 27 January 2017, were explored.
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With 3 very experienced arts practitioners we spent 10 weeks at Ysgol Llandygai working with the children in Year 1 and 2 to consider whether the arts can help address lack of confidence.
Sunday 7 April 3.30pm
Chamber Choir of Wales Powis Hall, Bangor University £12/£10 over 60s/£5 students & under 18s In their first ever tour, the Chamber Choir of Wales present a programme of beautiful, romantic music from Wales and the British Isles. Beginning with Elgar’s thrilling hymn to nature O Wild West Wind, the Chamber Choir finishes with the lush, heartbreaking serenity
of Howells Requiem. In between, they will perform John Rutter’s explosive Hymn to the Creator of Light, pieces by Welsh favourites William Mathias and Dilys Elwyn-Edwards, and two premieres by emerging choral composer, Gareth Treseder.
Made up of some of the finest singers in Wales, and conducted by rising star Tomos Watkins, this is concert, and a choir, not to be missed!
Thursday 11 April 7.30pm
East meets West Studio £12/£10 over 60s/£5 students & under 18s In a concert that captures the synergies of two distinct cultures, East meets West brings together traditional Chinese music and instruments to be heard
alongside newly composed works from Wales. Featuring compositions by Toru Takemitsu and Welsh composers Andy Lewis, Sioned Eleri Roberts and
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Katherine Betteridge, a trio of musicians (Mared Emlyn, Richard Craig and Sioned Eleri Roberts) offer their distinctive approaches to the sounds of East and West.
Comedy
“Making powerhouse stand-up from the thorniest of subjects” Guardian
Friday 12 April 8pm
Kiri Pritchard-Mclean Victim, Complex Studio £12.50 You might have seen Kiri on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, The Russell Howard Hour, heard her on The Now Show or seen her at Pontio before. You might have no idea who she is, that's fine too. What you should know is, she's very quietly been going mad for
a few years and, to borrow a phrase from Uma Thurman, she's been 'waiting... to feel less angry'. So, it's time to talk about victims, love and lies. You might not believe her, but she's used to that. 16+ 49
Have you been to one of our Cabaret events yet? Come and enjoy great music from all parts of the world in an informal and relaxed setting in Theatr Bryn Terfel. You can sit wherever you like and come and go to the bar.
Special Offer
Sharing Platter
Grab tickets for a discounted price, available for our cabaret evenings two weeks prior to the event!
Enjoy a delicious Pontio Cabaret sharing platter in the theatre, available from Ffynnon bar.
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Friday 12 April 8pm Cabaret Pontio presents
Siân James Theatr Bryn Terfel Early bird available until 29 March £12/£11 concessions
£14/£13 concessions One of Wales’ foremost contemporary female vocalists and innovator in the field of traditional folk songs. Siân James plays Celtic harp and is an accomplished pianist and composer. Her versatility as a performer has seen her starring on stage, screen and concert venues throughout the world, and is respected as one of Wales’ foremost ambassadors of song. Siân is renowned for her instinctive ability to project deep emotion within her songs with unequalled
sincerity and passion. She has to date released ten albums of her work - eclectic collections of both original and traditional songs which encompass the whole gamut of human expression, from love and laughter, to loss and spiritual quest. She will perform a selection of songs and a few instrumental pieces – spanning a 30 year career, including a few from her latest album which was released in 2018, Gosteg.
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Saturday 13 April 1.30pm & 3.30pm Lyngo Theatre presents
Jack and the Beanstalk Studio £6.50/£22 family and friends ticket (4 people, at least one under 18) Fee Fi Fo Fum! It’s a giant of a show, we’d love you to come! This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo treatment so expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of
Jack who sells his cow for 5 magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds. It’s a show for the over 3’s (and their giants) with something for everyone – enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold and a big, leafy explosion! 52
Age guidance: 3+ English language production FREE creative workshop with artist Eleri Jones follows each show
EHasoltidayerFun
at Pontio
Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 24 April £1 11.30am-2pm
Soundtrack Disco Over the Easter holidays we’ll be hosting our FILM+ soundtrack disco in the Studio on Level 2 in Pontio. Come and enjoy before or after films. Feel free to dress
as your favourite film character! See our monthly cinema programme for details of films being shown on these dates.
Thursday 18 April 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm
£5
Pontio’s Easter Bunny Adventure! Join us for an hour-long session packed with fun and suitable for the whole family. We’ll start by creating fun bunny ears and rabbit’s tails and then we’ll all go on an adventure through Pontio to feed the hungry little bunnies and maybe earn a reward! 53
Family activity, children will need to be accompanied but adults will not need to pay for a ticket. Limited capacity, book to avoid disappointment.
Music Dance
Saturday 13 April 7.30pm
Gruffydd Wyn Theatr Bryn Terfel £20/£18 concessions Come and join the incredibly talented Welsh lad Gruffydd Wyn for an evening of the most popular classical music, delivered with vocal panache! Gruffydd, is a Classical cross over artist who hails from the Isle of Anglesey. A singer from an early age, he has dedicated his life to following his dream of becoming a world class vocal performer.
Gruffydd, who returns to Pontio after performing in A Celebratory Concert in September 2018, has recently seen success as a finalist on the globally renowned talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, where he received Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer. During the series he received widespread acclaim for his big voice and professional performances; with judges’ comments such 54
as ‘Epic, phenomenal and outrageously good’ and Simon Cowell calling him “The musical version of Rocky”. This is a show not to be missed!
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Thursday 25 April 7.30pm OPRA Cymru
FIDELIO
by Ludwig van Beethoven Theatr Bryn Terfel £14/£12 over 60s / £5 student & under 18s Family ticket £30
New Welsh version by Mererid Hopwood OPRA Cymru celebrates the ten years since its inaugural concert with a new Welsh-language version of Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio.
This is the inspiring story of the bravery of a woman who rescues her husband from political execution. Beethoven’s music is testament to his core beliefs in freedom, fidelity and love, and includes the famous ‘Prisoners' Chorus.’
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The opera is told through the words of Mererid Hopwood, the first woman to win the Bard’s Chair at Wales’ National Eisteddfod. This production of Fidelio follows OPRA Cymru’s award-winning première production of Mererid Hopwood’s and Gareth Glyn’s Wythnos yng Nghymu Fydd.
Tuesday 30 April 7.30pm
Bost-Uni Plues Studio £5 Everyone says that university is the best three years of your life! So what happens next?
life behind and enter the real world. A world full of expectation, ‘proper’ jobs, and council tax.
Based on true experiences told by graduates, join three clowns as they leave the comfort of timetables, deadlines, and student
Bost-Uni Plues is an explosion of energy, honesty, dance, movement, techno, and plain silliness that explores post-graduate life
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through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Because if we’re told that the best three years of our life are behind us, what else is left other than postuni blues? Age guidance: 16+ Contains loud music
Wednesday 15 May 8pm Off The Kerb Productions present
SEANN WALSH ‘After This One, I’m Going Home’ Theatr Bryn Terfel £15 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and the selfdubbed “Lie-In King”, Seann Walsh is “unquestionably the best observational comic of his generation” (The Guardian). Returning from his run in America, where he made his USA television debut appearance on Conan, Seann Walsh is back on tour in the UK. This disheveled, fiery, animated, fiercely idle, millennial man child is one of best live comedians to have come out of the UK.
comedy web-series The Drunk. He also wrote and starred in his own Sky short for Sky Arts and is now co-starring in Jack Dee’s brand-new sitcom Bad Move (ITV one). He recently made his feature film debut as the children’s nemesis in family film, 2:hrs. Seann is quickly on his way to becoming one of the UK’s best comedy character actors. 14+
Seann made his acting debut starring in Comedy Central’s sitcom Big Bad World, this was quickly followed up by the lead role in Monks (BBC One), he utilized his physical comedic abilities in Sky’s silent comedy, Three Kinds of Stupid, which led to him producing, writing and starring in his own silent
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Coming Soon...
SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE are back! Pericles, The Comedy of Errors & Twelfth Night Friday 5 – Sunday 7 July Tickets go on sale 10am Friday 14 December along with further details
“It was fantastic to see Theatr Bryn Terfel transformed last night to imitate the Globe. Great atmosphere and superb acting – such a memorable evening. Hope they come back soon!” Audience member on Shakespeare’s Globe’s visit in 2018
Circus Feast 2019 The World at our Feet
Headline act: CIRCUS ABYSSINIA present Ethiopian Dreams Friday 19 – Tuesday 23 July
“Incredible opportunities for the people of Bangor.” “Amazing. I particularly enjoyed the parade and the skills demo.” Audience feedback from Pontio’s 2017 Circus Feast
Tickets and further information about Circus Feast 2019 available soon 59
General information 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 No booking fee will be charged when you buy tickets, but a ÂŁ1 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. Concessions Wherever concessions are denoted for Pontio events, the following categories are included in that definition, unless otherwise stated: 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 Access Scheme Art and culture is for everyone. If you have an impairment or a specific access requirement, often enjoying a visit to a theatre or an arts centre can be more complicated than just booking tickets and choosing what to wear.
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Hynt is a national scheme that works with theatres and arts centres across Wales to make things clear and consistent. Pontio is a part of the Hynt scheme as we believe it offers our customers the very best practice in fair ticketing policy and accessibility. Hynt is a Membership Card Hynt is a resource 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 information and guidance about the scheme.