Wales Millennium Centre’s ‘Performances for the Curious’ is a season of comedy, cabaret, music and scratch nights from artists in Wales and beyond. The programme is driven by voices and stories where the audience can explore contemporary topics.
The Curious performance spaces include the Weston Studio – close-up and involved, it’s a space for audiences to get immersed in new work; ffresh – a more informal and lively space, perfect for catch-ups, cocktails, cabaret and comedy; the Dance House – which will feature as a pop-up venue for performances and the Centre’s public spaces – used for free family activities which will tie in with the visiting productions.
The programme is inspired or led by female artists, where the audience can explore the world through the eyes of women. The programme also includes ‘Works In Progress’ for those who are curious as to how theatre is made in Wales. Audiences can witness the early stages of a range of work in the Weston Studio this April and be part of the artistic process.
The season will include productions through the Welsh language and shows aimed at families and young people, with several assisted performances including captioning, BSL, Touch Tours, Audio Description and Relaxed Performances.
Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre, Graeme Farrow said, “This new season will be one of intergenerational performances inspiring you to try something new. We’re proud to offer a diverse programme of critically acclaimed new work, which welcomes some of the best artists and companies from Wales and beyond in theatre and performance to Wales Millennium Centre.”
Included in the season is the acclaimed Dry White and Soho Theatre stage production of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s cult hit ‘Fleabag’; Cardboard Citizens’ hard hitting play ‘Cathy’; brand new productions from Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and National Theatre Wales and family shows ‘Almost Always Muddy’ and ‘The Girl with Incredibly Long Hair’.
Cardboard Citizens
Cathy
Minefield
Unexploded Ordnance
Meanwhile, in ffresh the season kicks off with the dazzling Rachel Williams on 16 March and includes shows from regulars Hello Cabaret (31 March), comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean (17 March), Machynlleth Comedy Festival Showcase (7 April), Alaw presented by Cwpwrdd Nansi and Trac Cymru (23 March), jazz singer Elaine Delmar (24 March) and bilingual comedian Connie Orff (18 May).
The full ‘Performances for the Curious’ programme:
Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) from Split Britches
Combining a Dr Strangelove inspired performance with a daring forum for public conversation, Unexploded Ordnances explores ageing, anxiety, hidden desires and how to look forward when the future is uncertain. In the Situation Room, 12 audience members are invited to become a Council of Elders to discuss the global issues of the day, as Split Britches weave in satirical insights and humour.
27 – 31 March, 7pm / Weston Studio
Minefield – A Lift Production by Lola Arias
Six Falklands/Malvinas war veterans who once faced each other across a battlefield now
face each other across a stage. Together they share memories, films, songs and photos, recalling their collective war with brutal honesty and startling humour, and embodying the political figures that led them into it.
5 – 7 April, 8pm/Weston Studio
Nyrsys from Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru (In association with Pontio)
Mischief, sisterhood and a proud sense of vocation. Go behind the scenes of a busy cancer ward in a hospital in Wales today, with script and songs created from interviews with real nurses.
17 April, 8pm/Weston Studio
Dwy from Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Two sisters. Two new playwrights. Two plays. A public reading of two plays that won the Drama Medal at the Urdd National Eisteddfod: ‘Ansh’ by Lois Llywelyn Williams (2016) and ‘Lon Terfyn’ by Mared Llywelyn Williams (2017). Part of Theatr Gen Creu, a new initiative by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
17 April, 8pm/Weston Studio
Sisters from National Theatre Wales with Junoon Theatre, Mumbai (Supported by British Council, Arts Council of Wales and Wales Arts International)
A conversation across continents about being a South Asian woman today. Stories half remembered behind the veil, left behind on trains and in airport lounges. Funny, poignant, powerful, and painful.
20 April, 8pm/Weston Studio
Scratch Performances
Yet-to be- announced performances in development. This is an opportunity to see exclusive new work and be part of an exciting creative process. Details to be announced soon.
10 – 14 April, 8pm/Weston Studio PM
A Dangerous Woman with Manjeet Mann
Recently labelled as a dangerous woman, Manjeet Mann explores what it means to be strong and dangerous. Would you dare to challenge conformity and make your voice heard?
19 April, 8pm/Weston Studio
Cathy from Cardboard Citizens (With post-show forum theatre and discussion)
Researched in collaboration with homelessness charity Shelter and inspired by Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home, award-winning playwright Ali Taylor’s five-star hit play is a candid, poignant and intimate modern reimagining of the story.
What are the impacts of spiraling housing costs, gentrification and forced relocation?
23 – 24 April, 8pm/Weston Studio
Fleabag from Drywhite and Soho Theatre
Following the BAFTA award winning BBC series, DryWrite and Soho Theatre bring you the acclaimed stage production of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s cult hit.
Stumbling through a maze of social anxiety, disastrous job interviews and meaningless sex, Fleabag serves up an uproariously funny and true account of some sort of a female living her sort of life.
26 April – 5 May, 8pm, and Matinee, 2pm saturda/Wrston Studio
Almost Always Muddy from Likely Story and Kirsty Harris
An interactive, improvised family show exploring imagination, the joy of play, being bold, and discovering that you are braver than you ever thought possible!
The Story Yard is a treasure trove of pallets, tubes, nets, buckets, junk and possibility.
The audience are the Story Builders who use various materials to build the setting for the day’s story. The Story Yard Keepers will then weave the suggestions and creations into an epic tale. Every single show is a unique adventure!
There’ll be additional family fun at the Centre to enjoy during your visit; please check the website closer to the time for details.
1 – 8 April, 11am & 3pm/The Story Yard
The Girl with the Incredibly Long Hair from We Made This (Supported by Arts Council of Wales, Blackwood Miners’ Institute, Creu Cymru and Wales Millennium Centre)
This new family show reimagines the story of Rapunzel for our times, and promises an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Follow them into the forest, to be immersed in its sights, sounds and smells, with the story unfolding all around you.
10 – 15 April, 11am & 3pm/Weston Studio
A Musical
Hosted by Jayde Adams and Kiri Pritchard-McLean, five comedians go up against each
other to perform their favourite musical theatre song, assisted by band Dave and The Quavers.
21 April, 8pm/ Weston Studio
FFRESH…
Rachel Williams Live
16 March, 9pm
Hello Cabaret
31 March & 5 May, 9pm
Appropriate Adult with Kiri Pritchard-McLean
17 March, 9pm
Alaw
23 March, 9pm
Elaine Delmar
24 March, 9pm
Firs Lady
30 March, 9pm
Tigerface & Friends
6 April, 9pm
Machynlleth Comedy Festival Showcase
7 April, 9pm
Who Runs the World
13 April, 9pm
Vanessa Kisuule, Sexy
14 April ,9pm
Hello La Voix
20 April, 9pm
Dr Dean Burnett: The Happy Brain
21 April, 9pm
Adele is Younger than Us
27 April, 9pm
Cabarele
28 April, 9pm
Dave Jones Quartet
4 May, 9pm
Snowpoet
12 May, 9pm
Connie Orff
18 May, 9pm
Peacekeeping/ The Filmmaker and the Organ Trader
19 May, 8pm