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It's December! It's Nutcracker!
IT’S CHRISTMAS!
Well it’s December, which is close enough for us to start feeling festive and excited! It is the month of Christmas jumpers, mince pies and singing Michael Bublé as loud as possible. Christmas and theatre just go together so well.
This past year has been wonderful, packed with laughter, fun, community… and of course some drama! Christmas always comes round so fast, but it is always such a good time to reflect, show gratitude and be charitable in any way possible.
We have been busy making our lovely theatre all festive, the energy is magical, have you brought tickets for the Brecon Festival Ballet The Nutcracker yet? If not be quick!… a ballet is a wonderful way to welcome Christmas.
Festive Fun and Seasonal Songs
Join us on the 13th Of December for some festive fun and listen to some wonderful singing as the amazing Uplift Choir will be in our foyer performing 12-1.30pm, this is a free event with no tickets required, so come and enjoy the warmth of our theatre, we will have some festive treats available in our cafe, and our shop will be open! So it’s the perfect time to think about those last minute gifts…
Creative Catch Up
Calling all artists, makers and creatives! Come and enjoy a drink and tell us about you and your work.
Monday 19th December 7.30 – 9pm In the Theatr B! Bar
Please join us for a glass of mulled wine, a mince pie and a chat. As the impacts of the pandemic subside we want to create a Christmas opportunity for artists to come together, chat to the Theatr team and fellow creatives about what we all do and how we can make more space for creativity in Brecon and more opportunities for collaboration.
Whats been happening
The start of December has been non stop already! On Saturday we had a full house for The Bon Jovi Experience. Lead singer Tony Pearce’s really rocked the stage and gave everyone a night to remember! Our technical manager Ioan couldn’t resit getting a few shots, and they capture the night perfectly.
Open space
To support our local community and audiences through the cost-of-living crisis, Theatr Brycheiniog will be running several free events this winter, along with opening public spaces within the building as a safe and warm space to be.
With a cost of living and climate crisis, many of us are facing tough decisions. Some of us have moved to working from home following the pandemic and are facing a winter with increased energy bills, others are facing harder decisions about whether to heat or eat. You can read more about our Warm Open Spaces in this press release.
What’s the perfect Christmas ballet? Thats right, The Nutcracker of course, whether you are a regular theatre goer or it’s your first time The Nutcracker will fill you with joy.
About the show
Brecon Festival Ballet is excited to announce the return of the full-scale production of The Nutcracker, that first performed to packed houses in 2019. This famous ballet is a winning combination of a magical story, Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music, Christmas presents, snowflakes and sweets…. the perfect Christmas show for all the family!
Join Brecon Festival Ballet’s professional dancers and the Welsh Chamber Orchestra this festive season!
Never been to a ballet before? The Nutcracker is the perfect first ballet for all the family – don’t forget there is a relaxed performance on Sunday 18th at 2.30pm!
Here is what David, Theatr B! Director had to say-
“A fantastic experience were you get to see high quality ballet and dancers, plus a brilliant community cast all working together.”
Who's been invoLVED?
KATY SINNADURAI, Artistic Director
Over the last 15 years, Katy has choreographed for more than 40 local productions at Theatr Brycheiniog, including Brecon High School’s musical productions, Westender’s Pantomime Society productions, and the Brecon Baroque festival. For Mid Wales Dance Academy, Katy introduced Pilates and repertoire to the senior students’ programme, and adapted many well- known classical ballets for the annual showcase. She has also created original choreography for the students, such as Etudes (in collaboration with composer and pianist, Paul Shallcross), and the Mid Wales Medley (Mid Wales Dance Academy's signature piece).
Katy served on the board of directors at Theatr Brycheiniog for a number of years and is also a regular guest teacher for Wales’s national ballet company, Ballet Cymru. In 2018, she was invited as a guest teacher to Maine State Ballet, USA.
In 2020, Katy was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, for services to dance education, training and performance.
Check out this former interview with Kate from 2021
LESLEY WALKER, Company Secretary
Lesley trained at the Hammond School – a prestigious vocational dance training school in Chester. After obtaining her A levels she gained a place at the Institute of Choreology in London to study Benesh Dance Notation.
Lesley is now a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, and an Associate member of the International Dance Teachers Association, and the school has gone from strength to strength. Now called the Mid Wales Dance Academy, it currently has over 300 pupils taking classes in a wide range of dance disciplines and musical theatre. Many MWDA students have gone on to train full time in dance and musical theatre, and several are now working as theatre professionals.
PROFESSIONAL DANCERS 2022
Principal dancers:
Lowri Shone, Joshua Feist, Joel Morris, Natasha Trigg, Emily Parry, Robbie Moorcroft, Jacob Hornsey
Character principal:
Gareth Phillips
Soloists:
Bethan Cooper, Clara Rust, Kamal Singh, Nathan Keenoo, Berwyn Cooper
Professional dancers/Apprentices:
Georgia Smart, Thomas Harden, Aimee Casey, Ellise de Andrade, Alice Oakley – Jones, Hollie Johnstone, Isobel Ross, Ainsley Waguespack, Ella-Louise Appleby, Sophie Woodbridge, Lois May Bullough, Imogen Breaks
Student corps de ballet dancers:
Juliet Waggoner, Lulu Groves, Noemi Varhegyi, Naomi Bishop, Paloma Sudbury, Sophie Newton, Maisie Young (all from Bristol Russian Ballet School), Maya Kirk (Tring Park School for the Performing Arts), Seren Gillespie, Mia Jones, Phoebe Fletcher (all from Mid Wales Dance Academy)
Brecon adult cast:
Eleanor Greenwood, Paul Sinnadurai, Dylan Matthews, Kate Dunning, Carole Mellerick, Nic Groombridge, Tudor Williams, Mike Scruby, Cathy Park, Claire Nicholas, Nikki Ingram, Sian Drinan, Graham Tod
Brecon junior cast:
Laurence Masters, Morgan Tod, Eric Pearce, Freddie Pearce, Tyler Cole, Edward Carr, Kaiden Witcomb, Joshua Witcomb
Tayla Price, Olivia Ellis, Flora Warry, Eira Morgan, Nerys Morgan, Roxy Evans, Riley Mcloughlin, Hannah Morgan, Abbie Murchie, Cerys Fairweather, Emma Griffiths, Evie Smith, Tanwen Bradley, Jamila Denney, Jasmine Skinner, Millie Smith, Molly Benfield, Nell Edmonds, Olivia Ellis, Sarah-May Gunning, Willa-Rose Callendar, Meggie Evans (all from Mid Wales Dance Academy), Ella Ring (Guzel Atymtayeva School of Classical Ballet, Nia Davies (Ella Morgan School of Russian Ballet)
Find out more about the cast here: https://www.breconfestivalballet.com
Costumes
Most of the Costumes in the production were designed by local designer Rachel Giacconne and made by Rachel and their costume team. Sugar Plum Fairy Tutus were made by Liz Gurney of Tutu Classique. Other costumes have been hired from Westenders, Brecon Little Theatre and Bristol Russian Ballet School. Approximately 200 costumes in all... WOW!
Gemma Schiebe
Local artist Gemma Schiebe has been working hard on creating the amazing new backcloth for the snowflake scene!! WOW! here is what Gemma had to say about her involvment-
"I've surprised myself with the outcome and can't quite believe I've achieved it after submitting my original design and wondering how I was going to translate it into such a colossal size painting... although it wasn't easy, and in fact at times an incredibly daunting task with many challenges, seeing such a large scale magical snowy pine forest scene evolve from the tip of my paintbrush has been a truly rewarding experience and I look forward to seeing it in action as a backdrop to the stunning Waltz of the Snowflakes..."
Phil Clark
Take a look at Phil Clark’s sketches from Brecon Festival Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' snowflakes rehearsal. Wow, they just look fantastic right?! You can buy Phil's Christmas cards from our shop, alongside his other amazing creations.
Amy Azais
Photogrpaher Amy has been capturing images for rehersals, check out Amy Azais Instagram for more amazing behind the sceens photos. Here is what Amy had to say about her involvment-
"Capturing life's joys and energy is what I enjoy the most about photography. Being able to tag along at rehearsals was first of all a great opportunity for my studies but also such a nice glimpse into the world of ballet dancing.
The Nutcracker ballet presented itself after a fortunate meeting with Katy the Artistic Director. As a third year photography student, my interest developed into working with expression through dance. I spent the first half of my project documenting the rehearsals which enabled me to research into dance movements, positions and energy but also to do what I love most which is being the little mouse of an event, sneakily taking pictures of everything that's going on. Tagging along to the rehearsals was an exciting experience of a more professional environment. I also learned about the rigour it takes to dance and the commitment to create such a play. I hope to continue witnessing and capturing such work processes in the future."
CAPTURED BEHIND THE SCENES
Our marketing team were lucky enough to get to watch some of the amazing rehearses, here are some behind the scenes images! The talent, grace and discipline that has been captured truly shows just how hard the dancers have been training! We love having Brecon Festival Ballet here, we love the energy and creativity they bring with them.
Photo Credits, Marketing Assistant, Velvet Cole
What’s on December...
We are well and truly into the festive season now! our theatre is open, warm and we are all wearing our Christmas jumpers! What’s on this December?
Miracle on 34th Street
Saturday, December 10th
7:30pm
£13.50 (+75p booking fees)
Uplift Choir singing in our foyer
Tuesday, December 13th,
Free event, 12pm-1.30pm
All welcome
Brecon Festival Ballet
Friday December 16th, – Sunday December 18th
The Night Before Christmas
Tuesday, December 20th
4.30pm & 6.30pm
From £10.00/£12.00 (+ £0.75 fees)
Film screening of White Christmas
Wednesday, December 21st
Free event, 12pm
All welcome
Film screening of Elf
Thursday, December 22nd
Free event, 12pm
All welcome
Christmas Time at Theatr B!
Poem by- Jodie Davies
“Brimming with colour, festive scents, and twinkling lights,
The brightest season of them all is upon us,
A period of wonderful things that glitter, gleam and glow,
Known to many- young and old, as Christmas!
Time to embellish a tree (no matter the size),
With love, patience, peace, and some cheer,
Along with glistening lights, shiny baubles, and beautiful memories,
Which will aid us in jubilation for the upcoming new year.
At Theatr Brycheiniog, we hope to provide a dusting of joy,
In the form of plentiful, feel-good performances and shows,
From Miracle on 34th Street to The Nutcracker and The Night Before Christmas,
Which will fill you with sparkle from your head to your toes.
One of the many blessings of Christmas is the food that it brings,
Turkey with all the trimmings; cranberry sauce and stuffing with sage,
We’re sure that The Very Hungry Caterpillar would enjoy all the veg,
When visiting TB to perform on our stage.
Whatever your traditions, decorating technique or designated meal for the special day,
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fruitful entry to the New Year. Hooray!”
Over Christmas
Theatr B! will be closed over the festive period from the 23rd of December to the 3rd of January.
Our team will be taking a well earned break and no doubt watching some Christmas tv with a glass of sherry and the last few chocolates left (probably just the Bounty’s left…) but our online system is still fully operational, we have many amazing shows coming in 2023
Here is a seasonal message from our Director, David
What’s Cooking…
We are delighted to have Angus and Eliot joining the Theatr B! Café team, they will be leading the kitchen team to provide our customers with an exciting new menu. Thetheatre has been smelling divine, don’t just take our word for it come and try for yourself! We are super excited to see what dishes are being created (we are also excited to try them ourselves for ‘testing’ purposes of course). Theatr B! has gone through a lot of changes this past year, we introduced our new shop filled with local goods, had a rebrand and refurbishments, although we haven’t quite finished yet we think you would agree we are looking chic! So why not pop in, order some delicious food and take a look… maybe even book a show!
BE AN ANGEL!
Every year as a team we collect for the food bank, this year we have decided that we would be a drop off point so that our wonderful community can join us!
Please donate items by 13th December at the very latest, preferably earlier, in order to process and distribute them before Christmas. We kindly ask that no Christmas crackers are donated and to ensure ‘best before’ dates are after Christmas, and remember we cannot use outdated, fresh or refrigerated items, or alcohol.
We have a drop off point next to our box office for donations. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Now it’s time for a mince pie…
Thank you for reading! We hope that you love the Theatr as much as we do... It’s an amazing place after all! To stay up to date with what is happening at Theatr Brycheiniog sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media!
As a registered charity working to serve the community, the Theatr is always in need of extra support, whether for improvements to the building or to support community projects. Please visit our Support Us page to see how you can help.
PLANNING ON BOOKING TICKETS TO ONE OF OUR SHOWS? HERE IS SOME INFORMATION!
For further information on all of our upcoming performances and events, and to book tickets, please contact our Box Office on 01874 611 622 or visit us at http://brycheiniog.co.uk