January - April 2022 Artistic Brochure by Pontio Bangor

January – April 2022 Programme Arts and Innovtion Centre Bangor

Welcome to Pontio Opening Times Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8pm Sunday 12pm – 7pm Food and Drink Cegin Monday to Friday 8.30am – 6pm Ffynnon Monday – Friday 12pm – 7pm Saturday 10.30am – 7pm Sunday 12pm – 5.30pm

Ffynnon will be open later during events Tickets Online www.pontio.co.uk 01248 38 28 28 Enquiries info@pontio.co.uk Phone Line 01248 38 28 28 Monday to Friday 11.30am – 6pm Saturday 10.30am – 6pm Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Cashless We are now cashless, so we kindly ask you to pay by card only. Information is correct at time of going to print Charity Num: 1141565

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

Cover photo: Kirsten McTernan

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Pontio, Ffordd Deiniol, Bangor, LL57 2TQ pontio_bangor

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I’d like to take this opportunity to share what we have lined up for the new year here at Pontio. We’ve been working hard to curate a diverse programme, with the hope of building on the momentum of our Autumn term, offering something for everyone. The programme has a varied series of events, with Welsh National Orchestra kick-starting our year by sweeping us off to Vienna. Other highlights include, Gŵyl Neithiwr that brings a series of Welsh language bands and mucisians to Pontio; GISDA Giggles sees Kiri PritchardMcLean present a housefull

of comedians to raise money for LGBTQ+ group Gisda. We’ll welcome some stars of Welsh of the West End in February that we’re extremely popular during lockdown. Towards the end of the term we’ll welcome contemporary Welsh-language drama pieces; first Frân Wen bring Ynys Alys, followed by Petula, a bilingual adaption of the French classic, brought by National Theatre Wales, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and August 012.

Keep an eye out for programme staples such as BLAS, Caffi Babis, Pontio Family and community projects such as Home and Hinterland and Brama. I look forward to seeing you all here soon!

Osian Gwynn Artistic Director Pontio

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Classical Music WNO Orchestra Return to Vienna Friday 7 January, 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel £7.50 - £20.50 Concertmaster – David Adams Soprano – Isabelle Peters Tenor – Adam Gilbert WNO Orchestra is delighted to be back on stage, presenting its sparklingly

successful, and welltravelled, new year’s concert. Join us for this toe-tapping evening of Strauss, Lehár and so much more - what better way to kick off the new year?

Mid Wales Opera La bohème Puccini Saturday 12 March, 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel £18 - £20 From a student garret to the bustling streets of Montmartre, Puccini’s masterpiece celebrates the power of love and friendship. Ensemble Cymru perform Puccini’s gloriously evocative

score, with some of opera’s best loved arias conjuring Parisian cafes as well as the cold reality of the bohemians’ hand to mouth existence.

BANGOR MUSIC FESTIVAL 11 - 12 / 02 / 2022

Theme: The Senses Performances by: UPROAR Ensemble | Darragh Morgan & Electroacoustic WALES SMOUND (Rhodri Davies, Pat Morgan & Angharad Davies) Camau Cerdd / Steps in Music | Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Bangor New Music Ensemble | Bangor Fusion Ensemble

www.bangormusicfestival.org.uk

CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST

Celebrating 100 years of music at Bangor Coming soon ... concert announcements by the Department of Music, Drama and Performance. More information on Bangor University’s website. See more

Musical theatre masterclasses coming soon! As part of its Music 100 celebrations, the School of music and media at Bangor University is on the lookout for young performers to be a part of our Professional Musical Theatre Masterclasses in 2022.

you ever wanted to explore the fusion between Music and Drama? If you’re aged 16-22 we want to hear from you. Website to register coming soon.

Are you interested in Musical Theatre? Do you want to try your hand at Opera or have the opportunity to experiment as a singer within a GIG Theatre project? Have

Saturday 22 January 2pm – 11pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Pontio presents

Gŵyl Neithiwr £13.50 - £17

ADWAITH KIM HON 3 HWR DOETH BANDICOOT PYS MELYN MELLT MALI HÂF SYBS CRINC

Art LLINOS OWEN DJs ROUGHION + TINDALL Gŵyl Neithiwr is back this new year in Theatr Bryn Terfel for a one-day festival with some of the best Welsh bands around! Age: 16+ See more

Friday 18 February, 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Welsh of the West End

Steffan Hughes Tom Hier Jade Davies Siwan Henderson £13 - £15 Steffan Hughes and his West End super-group perform musical theatre favourites from shows such as Les Misérables, Rent and Phantom of the Opera. With Jade Davies, Tom Hier and Siwan Henderson. With

over 12 million views online, Welsh of the West End have become a viral sensation, and have been featured by Official London Theatre, What’s on Stage, BBC, ITV and S4C. Prepare to be dazzled by Wales’ finest

musical theatre voices, direct from the West End. This event will be in Welsh and English. Suitable for all ages! See more

Informal, cabaret-style events held in Theatr Bryn Terfel.

Alaw Thursday 3 February, 8pm Nia Lyn voice / harmonium Oli Wilson-Dickson fiddle / voice  Dylan Fowler guitar / voice

leading musicians who bring a wealth of experience to a shared passion - the traditional music of Wales.

Described by Songlines magazine as a “Welsh supergroup”, ALAW is three

EARLY BIRD TICKETS £12 | £11

Trials of Cato Thursday 10 March, 8pm BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe hailed them as “one of the real discoveries on the folk circuit in recent times.” Their debut album, Hide and Hair, gained attention in national

publications, receives repeated national airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, and won Best Album at the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Seated Gigs The Fureys Wednesday 23 February, 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel £20 Having sold out their last visit, legends of Irish music & song The Fureys, renowned for their hit songs ‘I will love you’, ‘When you were sweet 16’, ‘The Green fields of France’, ‘The old man’, ‘Red

rose café’, ‘From Clare to here’, ‘Her father didn’t like me anyway’, ‘Leaving Nancy’, ‘Steal away’ and they will return in 2022.

Calan Thursday 21 April, 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel £15.50 - £17.50 In their first major postlockdown tour one of Britain’s most innovative and thrilling bands will showcase their critically acclaimed new album Kistaven. See more

Recorded just before the pandemic, live performances of the album were suspended… until now.

Drama

'A powerful exploration of gender, war, and identity, as relevant and timely today as ever. Expect humour, a lot of heart and a refreshing focus on the darker aspects of a familiar tale’ Tulpa Magazine

Sunday 6 February 2pm Studio

The Ballad of Mulan £3 - £5 Woman, warrior, Legend. For ten years Mulan disguised as a man has fought for the Chinese Empire, but now it is time to go home. Grist to the Mill and Red Dragonfly brings you the real Chinese heroine that inspired Disney’s animation and live-feature Mulan. Part of the Chinese New Year celebrations by the Confucius Institute, Bangor Univeristy 10+ See more

Creative Writing Workshop

Look out for film screenings as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations

Sunday 6 February, 11.30am PL2 Limited Capacity FREE but ticketed. 18+

Thursday 17 March, 7.30pm Friday 18 March, 1pm Friday 18 March, 7.30pm Saturday 19 March, 7.30pm Studio Frân Wen

Ynys Alys £12 - £15 Theatre, pop music and rap collide in this Welsh language production that follows a young girl as she sets out in search of her independence. It’s time for Alys to start living her best life. But in the

darkness of her dreams, she becomes trapped in an old haunt. Can she conquer her fears? Can she become the Alys she wants to be?

Ynys Alys explores who we are in times of change and what we truly hope to hold on to in a new world. 13+

Friday 25 March, 7.30pm (BSL Interpreted) Saturday 26 March, 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel National Theatre Wales and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru with August012

PETULA £16

£40 Family Ticket (4 individuals, at least two children under 18) £10 under 25 £8 Schools and Groups of 10+ National Theatre Wales, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and August012 are joining forces to bring you a brand-new production of Fabrice Melquiot’s

extraordinary play. Directed by Mathilde Lopez with a script by Daf James that mixes Welsh, English and a little French.

All performances will have integrated open captions in English and Welsh. Age: 12+ See more

Comedy

Saturday 15 January, 8pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Kiri Pritchard-McLean presents

GISDA Giggles £13 - £17.50 Following the sell out success of 2020’s Gisda Giggles we have Gisda Giggles 2! A night of laughter to raise money and awareness for GISDA’s youth LGBT+ groups. Local girl Kiri Pritchard McLean (Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News for You) welcomes a hand picked line up of the country’s best

LGBT+ stars including Suzi Ruffell (The Last Leg, Live at the Apollo), Josh Jones (8 out of 10 cats), Ben Hodge, Sikisa Bostwick Barnes (Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club) and Leila Navabi (Live from Aberystwyth Pier). Everybody welcome, as it should be.

Strong language - 16+ Line-up subject to change See more

Wednesday 13 April 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Little Wander in association with PBJ Management present

Nish Kumar Your Power, Your Control £20

Your Power, Your Control is a new comedy show from the host of the Mash Report and one of the Guardian’s Top Fifty Comedians of the 21st Century. As seen on Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster and more. 18+

Wednesday 27 April 8pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Little Wander in association with PBJ Management present

Kiri Pritchard-McLean Home Truths £13 - £15 Kiri Pritchard-McLean (Have I Got News For You?, Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?) is back with a brand new tour. You can expect jokes about skinny jeans, learning Welsh and white supremacy - something for everyone. 16+

Dance

Thursday 7 April 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Jack Philp Dance presents

Post-show talk There will be a Q&A session folllowing the performance in Theatr Bryn Terfel.

OPTO NANO £10 - £12 Dance, science and digital collide in this vivid and energetic new production from Jack Philp Dance. OPTO NANO is an abstract and athletic journey through the cutting-edge research

of Professor Paola Borri. Created with an exceptional cast of five performers, this contemporary dance work brings biophysics to the stage in a dynamic burst of movement, light and colour.

y l i m Fa

Tuesday 8 February 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel Presented by Ad/Lib (Cymru) and RCT Theatres

An Evening With Shane Williams with Phil Harries and Ieuan Rhys £20 Legendary Welsh rugby player Shane Williams will share the extraordinary secrets of his illustrious career when he takes to the stage for this intimate and revealing evening. Shane Williams was a Welsh rugby union player most famous for his long and successful tenure as a wing for the Ospreys and the Wales national team.

In 2008, he was selected as the World Rugby Player of the Year and since his retirement from international rugby in 2012; he has worked as a presenter on S4C and as a pundit on BBC, ITV and Channel 4. He was also inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016.

This is great evening for fans of Welsh rugby and a chance to get up close and personal with Shane, as he lifts the lid on life on and off the pitch. It also includes a Q & A session - so if you have a burning question to put to Shane, now is your chance! A night for the whole family. See more

Friday 7 January Friday 4 February Friday 4 March Friday 1 April 10am Studio

Caffi Babis £3 This is a creatvie hour with Siwan Llynor and Angharad Harrop that gives new parents the opportunity to

meet other parents, as well as to relax with your baby for a while. An hour to bring parents together, in a safe space.

Age guidance: up to 24 months See more

Saturday 23 April 11.30am & 2.30pm Studio Pontio Family presents

by Wriggle Dance Company Pod of 3: £19.50 Pod of 4: £24 Pod of 5: £30 ‘Squidge’ is a fun interactive dance performance with live music and digital projection, which takes a light-hearted

look at our sense of touch and how it influences our everyday lives. Age guidance: 3 – 8

el 2! On Lev

BAGELS SANDWICHES PIZZA CAKES For more information visit the food and drink pages on pontio.co.uk

01248 383826 bwydabar@pontio.co.uk @eatdrinkbangor

Join our team of volunteers! Are you... - Interested in Theatre, Live music and Films

- Keen to learn, develop and apply new skills

- Passionate about delivering exceptional customer service

- Looking 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

Art

Until 16 January 2021 White Wall

Eye of the Moon by Jo Lawrence

Eye of the Moon is an installation by artist Jo Lawrence in collaboration with the School of Music and Media, Bangor University. Based on Caradog Prichard’s novel Un Nos Ola Leuad, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this

year, the installation in Pontio’s main atrium will feature projections and a new composition by postgraduate student Tomasz Edwards. Supported by Colwinston Charitable Trust.

21 January – 2 April 2021 Public Spaces

Bangor Art Foundation 40+1 This is an exhibition in collaboration with Storiel and Coleg Menai, celebrating 40 years of the Bangor Art Foundation course. In Pontio, we will be showing a large sculpture by Angharad Pearce Jones and a special

commission by Niki Cotton, as well as films by Bethan Huws and Bedwyr Williams (21 – 23 January) and Russell Owen (1 February). See our website for the full list of connected events.

Supported by Colwinston Charitable Trust.

February – March 2021

Hybrid by Osian Efnisien Pontio is pleased to commission the artist Osian Efnisien from Porthmadog to create new work using a 3D scan of Theatr Bryn Terfel. The piece weaves the digital with physical materials to explore playful new ways of combining virtual experiences with concrete, architectural spaces.

7 DAYS A WEEK OPEN TO ALL

1 Screen 3D 15 new films a month 70 showings a month One stage for the best in live opera and theatre Pontio’s monthly cinema programme is available online and published and distributed locally or you can pick one up at the centre. To receive weekly email bulletins, sign up at www.pontio.co.uk and tick ‘Cinema’ in the interest categories. Follow the latest cinema news on Twitter @sinemapontio

7 DIWRNOD YR WYTHNOS - AGORE 7 DAYS A WEEK D I BAWB - ALL WELCOME

SINEMA CINEMA

Hydref • October , 2019

PONTIO BA NGOR

Ad Astra, Farmaged don, Joker, Abertoir, ROH: Don Pasquale, Judy Fleabag, Billy Conn olly, The Irishman a llawer mwy! and much more!

@sinemapontio

Book at pontio.co.uk 01248 38 28 28

LIVE SCREENINGS NT LIVE: LEOPOLDSTADT 12A

Thursday 27 January, 7pm Sunday 30 January, 2pm (Encore)

ROH LIVE: ROMEO AND JULIET 12A

Monday 14 February, 7.15pm

NT LIVE: THE BOOK OF DUST (LA BELLE SAUVAGE) 12A

Thursday 17 February, 7pm

ROH LIVE: RIGOLETTO

Sunday 20 February, 2pm (Encore)

12A

Sunday 20 February, 5.30pm (Encore) Thursday 10 March, 7.15pm Sunday 13 March, 2pm (Encore)

NT LIVE: HEX 12A

Thursday 17 March, 7pm Sunday 20 March, 2pm (Encore)

ROH LIVE: LA TRAVIATA 12A

Wednesday 13 April, 6.45pm

NT LIVE: HENRY V

Thursday 21 April, 7pm

12A

Sunday 24 April, 2pm

ROH LIVE: SWAN LAKE

12A

Thursday 19 May 7.15pm Sunday 22 May, 2pm (Encore)

BLAS is Pontio’s youth participation programme that gives children and young people a ‘taste’ (blas) for the arts Over the past year and a half, regardless of restrictions, BLAS’ participation activites have continued. Our weekly drama workshops went online, new projects were created and projects have adapted for the digital world! Read and watch more about our projects.

To learn more about BLAS projects here: See more

10,400 watched UN SEREN, Bangor Over 6000 watched #KeepCreative videos

90 children joined in Lead Creative Schools workshops

80 joined our Homeschooling workshops

41 of BLAS members joined on Zoom every week

Eryri 70 It was a pleasure to Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Snowdonia National Park by setting the challenge to all schools in the park to answer the question Who is Eryri to You? Through artistic expression. To help the schools answer the question we held a series of various workshops online and in schools with artists such as Lisa Eurgain, Ifor ap Glyn, Angharad Harrop and Helen Wyn Pari and a presentation by Lowri Williams from Park. The works submitted are amazing and you can see them on eryri70.cymru

Duets Ysgol Llanllyfni’s artwork eventually went up in Pontio. The children created the artwork back in March 2021 as part of Ballet Cymru’s Duets scheme, with artist Carl Chapple to accompany Ballet Cymru’s performance of Giselle. Also, it was good to see the children performing on the Theatr Bryn Terfel stage with a curtain-raiser performance of Giselle. Congratulations to all of you dancers of the future.

Careers Wales BLAS has been supporting the work of Careers Wales in promoting the arts as a diverse, accessible and fun work sector. We have been running fun interactive workshops and presentations in schools and online.

BLAS Christmas Movies The BLAS weekly workshop crew have been very busy this term learning about different filming techniques, with the BLAS Bach crew looking at Stop Motion and the BLAS Hŷn crew using their mobile phones to see how to frame and film various scenes. This finished work will be shared on the BLAS Facebook page soon.

Caffi Babis After months on Zoom, we were delighted to be able to meet all the babies face to face. Caffi Babis is a fun baby art session for babies and their parents led by dancer Angharad Harrop and drama practitioner Siwan Llynor with a chance for a cuppa and a chat at the end. Thanks to Penrhyn Castle for their support on this project.

Lead Creative Schools We are delighted to continue to work as a Creative Agent with Ysgol Gynradd Nefyn. This term, the children decided on the type of project they would like to create and chose their practitioner. We are delighted that Artist Catrin Williams will be joining the children in January looking at the history of the Welsh language and how history can be promoted through art.

Visit by Ysgol Parc y Bont It was great to welcome the Foundation Phase children of Ysgol Parc y Bont to tour the world at Pontio Studio and to enjoy an indoor picnic prepared by Caffi Cegin (if you would like to organize a drama workshop for your class in Pontio for any age or theme contact m.huws@bangor.ac.uk)

Caban Calan Who knew there was a magical forest in the middle of Pontio? However, only those who create a special lantern with the help of Manon Awst and with their lantern follow Jen Morris’ magical music can access it. Once in the forest, Siwan Llynor, welcomed them with the tales of the forest. For more information on BLAS projects, visit our Facebook page

Workshops

Every other Monday 12pm Studio Pontio and Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence presents

Lunch on the Fly £6 for 1 session £40 for 8 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. No experience necessary

25 January 1 / 8 / 22 February 1 / 8 / 15 / 22 / 29 March Studio

Dance for Parkinson’s £3.50 Every Tuesday, 10-11.15am Dance for Parkinson’s classes are fun and informal. Dance has been proven to develop confidence and strength, whilst temporarily relieving some participants of symptoms in everyday life. Classes are creative and

promote feelings of freedom from the physical and social constraints of having Parkinson’s. See more

Watch the trailer

6 January 3 February 3 March 7 April 11am Studio

Heb Ffiniau £3 a session Movement workshops, that encourage you to relax, move and exercise from our Studio Theatre. The workshops are suitable for everyone aged 18+, and encourage you to move through improvisation and dance – but all within your ability on the day of the workshop.

18+ See more

Buy your drinks in advance at the bar to avoid queuing during the interval For more information visit the food and drink pages on pontio.co.uk

01248 383842 bwydabar@pontio.co.uk @eatdrinkbangor

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t n e d s u n St uctio d o Pr

Wedneday 2 March 2pm & 7.30pm Theatr Bryn Terfel SODA presents

Legally Blonde: The Musical £7 - £10 SODA brings another musical to Thear Bryn Terfel based on the novel and best loved movie. See more

Legally Blonde: The Musical follows the pampered, pink loving sorority girl Elle Woods. 12+

Wednesday 16 March, 8pm Thursday 17 March, 8pm Theatr Bryn Terfel ROSTRA Theatre Society presents

Sweeny Todd £6 - £7 Join ROSTRA Theatre Society in Theatr Bryn Terfel this Spring! Sweeney Todd, demon barber of Fleet Street, has a wicked grudge against the Judge who deported him on a false charge.

He proceeds with his vengeful plans, but revenge stories have no happy endings. See more

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 £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 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.

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

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 information and guidance about the scheme.