All posts by deanhbarnard

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About deanhbarnard

My name is Dean Barnard I live in Newport and work in Cwmbran. I am a huge fan of the theatre and visit The Millenium centre and other venues in Cardiff weekly to see shows and concerts. I have started writing review blogs about what a I like of the shows I have seen.

The Last Mermaid (3rd performance)

Musical, Opera

Sunday 12th June 2016 this is my 3rd performance of this fabulous show in the Weston studio at the Millenium Centre here in Cardiff. This is the last chance to    see this production before its run comes to an end. 

I was so impressed with the whole show, an impressive cast, beautiful music, outstanding vocals from everyone stepping foot on that stage, and of course the absolutely fabulous lead in Charlotte Church, such a fantastic vocal talent. 

Today was just so beautiful, I cried again throughout the performance, and as it was the last show it really hit home just how good this was. The music just kept coming at you,drawing you into the story and some wonderful songs like Tell it to the waves (one of my favourite songs). In fact all the songs were just perfect I couldn’t fault any of them, and once I started crying, couldn’t stop. So beautiful. (I know I’ve used that word a lot but that’s just how I feel. When something is that good,and affects you in that way,there is no other way to describe it).

I also have to praise the production team for such a magnificent spectacle, with amazing lighting and colours flooding the stage, especially as the mermaid becomes human and  the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A good point there for everyone to follow, sometimes you have to calm down, slow down and take things easy for a while, I think most people could take heed of that daily.

Another section that impressed was the ending. Where, after humans killing her whale she wants revenge and is ready to unleash her wrath on the world,when she is distracted by the singing of a young girl she had met earlier. As her temper cools and she embraces the child she tells everyone to live together and saves the world.WOW again such a beautiful ending  and more tears. Even writing this I can feel myself welling up. WOW (again).

Finally to the production team at the Millenium centre for putting on another fabulous show, two now in the space of a few months with the equally fabulous Only the Brave to add to this. Long may this continue, can’t wait to see what comes next. 

Laura Mvula

Concert

Saturday 11th June 2016 back at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff for another visit to The Last Mermaid and directly after that a quick dash upstairs for Laura Mvula. Really busy day for me, but well worth it.
Firstly the second performance of the day for the Last Mermaid with the brilliant Charlotte Church along with the equally brilliant cast. Again a truly mesmerising show which had me in tears of joy throughout. Just wish I could have seen this from start to finish (as I managed with Only the Brave back in March/April of this year) as I would easily have watched this over and over. Fabulous.

Now to Laura Mvula in the Donald Gordon  theatre,at the centre. I must admit to not having listened to much of her music, so I will be seeing her “blind” so to speak. Heard a lot of good things about her so really looking forward to this.

Firstly though is the support act and boy was she good. A young French singer, Naim. Her voice was exceptional absolutely brilliant. Armed with just a piano and a guitar this artist played her heart out.  Such command of the keyboard, she blew me away,I must say I was pretty impressed and loved her whole performance. I have seen some amazing acts and this was in that category. So so good, a real treat tonight.

And finally to Laura Mvula. A fantastic singer from Birmingham. Wow what an amazing voice,together with a five piece band and two backing singers for company, Laura made the whole night sail by. Having never heard any of her material I was again mighty impressed with her songs, mostly written by herself.  She has a big following too,with most of the crowd going wild after her most liked melodies. The highlight for me was an a song she sung with just a microphone and nothing else. Then you really had a feel for the amazing voice she has. 

I must admit the last few weeks have introduced me to new music I thought I would never listen to in my lifetime, but thanks to this festival of voice season,that has changed. Laura Mvula is now on my “one to see again” list and will definitely be watching her the next time she visits the centre. I may even splash out on some cd’s for my collection. Fabulous night of music.

The Last Mermaid 

Musical, Opera

Saturday 11th June 2016, at Wales Millenium centre in Cardiff for an early performance of the Last Mermaid. 

Oh my god this was an absolutely brilliant show. So good I’ve just booked to see it again tonight and tomorrow.

The story of a young mermaid,the last of her kind. Everything is new and wonderful to her. She befriends a whale, also the last of its kind, and is given the chance to become human and walk on land, after saving a man who was lost at sea during a storm. The land is full of humans rushing around and never slowing down, and as she tries to calm everything down her life changes and longs to be back in the ocean. 

As soon as the music begins we are treated to some magical scenes of underwater life, projected onto transparent plastic screens, which make it all the more realistic. The singing is so good by all the cast in the lead up to the birth of the mermaid. And then we have the brilliant Charlotte Church as the the last mermaid, I have to say her voice is just stunning and a few occasions I was brought to tears by how beautiful she sang. In fact I struggled to keep a dry eye for the whole show.

The dancing throughout was a joy to watch and so well choreographed, Clemmie Sveass as the heart of the mermaid was exceptional, along with the other members of the ensemble, who strived to make this a fantastic showpiece, which I have to say totally succeeded in its mission.

Watching this performance was a real treat, the costumes were fantastic,the set and staging were brilliant and the lighting really stood out on this small stage in the Weston theatre at the centre. Again I have to praise the music and the singing throughout. Magnificent. The music written by Charlotte Church and Sion Trefor with story and lyrics by Charlotte and Jonathan Powell. Double magnificent (if that’s even a phrase).

I was so engrossed in the show I didn’t want it to end,it was so beautiful throughout I could have sat and watched for hours on end. I can’t wait to see it again tonight.

Choir clock

Uncategorized

Having arrived early I’ve just found out about choir clock. Situated around Cardiff every hour, a different choir will perform around the capital until midnight tonight. 

This promises to be a fantastic showpiece for a Saturday away from the footie, if you are about the city today look out for these choirs or even pay a visit to the Millenium Centre and pick up a leaflet showing where everyone is performing. You never know you may enjoy the chance to see some amazing voices absolutely free.

Rufus Wainwright 

Concert

Sunday 5th June 2016 back at the Millenium centre for Rufus Wainwright as part of the Festival of voice season in Cardiff. This is my first chance to see a music icon at the centre. I must admit to not having heard much of his music, but feel this is too good an opportunity not to pass up.

The evening started with a young artist named Ala.ni  and a guitarist. The music they produced was just incredible, I was very impressed with her vocal talent and stage presence,such an amazing voice and at one point left the stage and continued singing as she’s walking through the stalls,may I add without the use of a microphone,her voice carried throughout the auditorium. Totally amazing, which also shows how good the acoustics are at the centre. She played for 30 minutes or so and I was totally hooked on her performance. A really talented and  impressive set, got you in the mood for the rest of the evening. 

And so on to the main act with Rufus Wainwright and boy was I impressed and totally not what I was expecting. This guy was fabulous,a really talented singer/songwriter whose voice blew me away. I was enthralled for the whole performance and if I’m honest didn’t want it to end. I knew hardly any of the songs he sang but couldn’t care. The voice just took me and that was enough.

What was equally amazing, Rufus only had a piano and guitar on stage but managed to create something special which turned me into a fan almost immediately. Also as a songwriter he has written an opera and from what I’ve heard tonight some good songs to go with  it. The following he has also amazed,as the auditorium was packed to the roof,and what a reception he had from his devoted fans. 

This was another fantastic evening and one I will never forget. Definitely will be booking tickets for this performer when he returns to the centre.

Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci (2nd performance)

Opera

It’s Saturday 4th June 2016 with my second viewing of this wonderful double opera performed by the Welsh National Opera company at the equally wonderful Millennium centre here in Cardiff. As I take my seat for this performance it’s a chance to look around this huge auditorium And admire the spacious and luxurious qualities of this amazing theatre, which I have always said is one of the best in the world.

From the moment the orchestra began warming up you could feel the atmosphere building,a sell out crowd would be enthralled again by the amazing voices on show. 

As the opera begins (Cavalleria rusticana)the music just envelopes you,drawing you in to the scenes about to unfold. The set is magnificent and as the stage begins crowding with this large chorus the singing fills this huge auditorium with delightful tones leading up to the superb resurrection hymn. 

Again I have to say the main players were excellent with Camilla Roberts, Gwyn Hughes Jones and David Kempster giving their all. The chorus were just heavenly and what to say about the orchestra(conducted by the great Carlo Rizzi),simply amazing as they always are and probably always will be. The whole cast give their all to this mighty performance,and by the end of this particular piece,leaves you craving for the next instalment.

After the interval we have the magnificent Pagliacci, a fitting end to a truly magnificent evening. With the large chorus again filling this huge stage we are treated to an extravaganza of a performing troupe,complete with fire eaters,clowns and an old van masquerading as a stage,for the final and tragic scene. 

This performance was again faultless with Gwyn Hughes Jones, David Kempster and joined this time by Meeta Raval taking centre stage. Joined by Gyula Nagy and Tristan Llyr Griffiths along with a strong chorus and a group of talented children making up the rest of the cast, made this a night to remember, as it just got better every time.  

I went through a huge raft of emotions tonight and tears filled my eyes most of the time,mainly due to the incredible orchestra and two beautiful operas so well written,and so well performed by a magnificent company. Long may it continue. I myself want more,so I’m really looking forward to the next season of operas, can’t wait.

Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci 

Opera

Sunday 29th may 2016 at the Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff. A production of Cavalleria rusticana by Mascagni and Pagliacci by Leoncavallo,performed by the Welsh National Opera company.

We begin with Cavalleria rusticana (cav for short) set in a village in Sicilly in 1880 on Easter Sunday. The story is centred around Turridu’s love for Lola who is married to Alfio with the rivalry between the two men intense, as we move to the final scenes when Alfio and Turiddu fight until Turridu is killed. As soon as the music began I was in floods of tears, the orchestra were amazing, magnificent throughout the whole opera,as they always are.

As we move through this amazing opera the chorus come into their own with fabulous,scintillating voices raising the roof of the centre. The main leads were also magnificent with David Kempster as Alfio,Gwyn Hughes Jones as Turridu and Camilla Roberts as Santuzza. Wow what voices, these guys were amazing,absolutely fabulous, if the chorus raised the roof this trio sent it into orbit. 

A word of praise for the set,you actually thought you were looking out of a huge window onto a street in Sicilly. What a magnificent effort by the whole team at WNO. Fantastic.

A beautiful opera from start to finish,proving to many people that the WNO have to be one of the best companies in the world today,Well I think so anyway.

After the interval we moved on to Pagliacci (pag for short), a story of a troupe of players performing in a Calabrian village. We meet Tonio played by David Kempster, Canio by Gwyn Hughes Jones and Nedda (Canio’s wife) by Meeta Raval. Centred around these characters we find that Nedda has a lover and Canio does not know who and as the story continues in a jealous rage Canio kills Nedda and her lover at the end of the opera.

The singing was superb again, with Gwyn Hughes Jones,Meeta Raval and David Kempster taking centre stage. These three were simply stunning and deserve all the applause they got. Along with the rest of the cast and chorus this was a heavenly performance. Not to forget the orchestra,who again, were amazing brilliantly conducted by Carlo Rizzi.

A special mention to all the children in the cast of both operas who all played their parts in this fantastic production.

This is again a must see for all opera lovers,before it tours. I will definitely be back to see it for a second time next week.

A Midsummer Nights Dream

Play

Saturday 28th May 2016 at the New Theatre,Cardiff.for a performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream. One of Shakespeare’s best known plays.A production with the RSC and Everyman theatre company,with a special mention to the children of Rumney primary school here in Cardiff for their roles of the fairy train.

As this is my first ever Shakespeare play it intrigues me to see how it unfolds. I have to say I was pretty impressed with the first act a good mix of comedy combined with a superlative script aptly performed by all the characters.Puck and Helena steal the first act with such passion for each role, played brilliantly by Lucy Ellinson and Laura Riseborough. 

As the play progresses to the woods we meet the troupe of actors rehearsing for a play to be set at the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta and there the fun begins with mayhem and comedy running until the close of the first act. An amazingly funny and brilliantly acted first half leads me wanting more. Can’t wait for the second act to begin now. 

To the second act,which I so enjoyed so much. As the act progresses and Oberon reverses the damage Puck has done to the lovers. They awake and unite with their rightful partners to wed with Theseus and Hippolyta. At the wedding reception a play is requested and performed by the troupe to end the play. At this point the audience is in hysterics as am I. This was a true delight and executed to perfection by the Everyman company who were all outstanding in their roles.

A special mention to the staging of the production which was excellent. Another major factor was that the whole cast worked so well together you could hardly tell the difference between the amateur and professional actors,which in the end is a huge bonus to all.

In all a fantastic play brilliantly performed by all of the cast. A special mention to the children of Rumney primary school who all performed so well. To the Everyman theatre company who gave the audience so much laughter and merriment. Also to the musicians on and off the stage who were magnificent. A strong cast of Performers for the RSC made this a wonderful occasion. 

Finally a magnificent gesture by the RSC Cast as they themselves applauded the amateur players and children who had worked so well with them over the week, a gesture noticed by the audience and brought a tear to my eye. One last word to sum up the evening,SUPURB.

Les Miserable – The Movie

Uncategorized

I finally got around to watching the movie version of Les Miserable,a few weeks ago and boy was I disappointed. Having seen the stage version of this magnificent show a few years earlier,I thought ‘give it a go I may like it’. Sadly that was not to be.
I was actually appalled at the miscasting of most of the main characters in the first half hour of the film. Russel Crowe was awful and I’ve heard a lot better from Hugh Jackman. Although Anne Hathaway was good as Fantine, if a little too quiet singing I dreamed a dream.

Moving on, I was actually going to switch off at that point but went a bit further, but not that much. The only bright light was the voice of little Cosette,who,for me made that first part watchable. She was amazing. It was shortly after that that I did switch off after hearing Sacha Baron Cohen,I couldn’t go on. And that was the end of my viewing of Les mis.

I tried to listen to the cd but gave up on that also. For me I hated it, even though I love the voice of Samantha Barks playing Eponine. It just wasn’t for me.

I started going to watch theatrical shows, about three and a half years ago,this is the only time I have actually hated anything based on the theatre. I have seen over 100 shows in that time, many of them more than once and have reached 230 performances of those shows, and to tell the truth I have loved everything I have seen. Except this.

In parenthesis (2nd performance)

Opera

Saturday 21st may 2016. Tonight is my second performance of this Opera at the Millenium centre in Cardiff. An amazing new production by the Welsh National Opera.

The evening began on the Glanfa stage with members of the WNO chorus (Paula Greenwood,Simon Crosby Buttle and Julian Boyce with piano accompaniment by David Doidge) performing World War One period pieces. One word to describe this 45 minutes of indulgence before the main show,SUPERB. Everything WNO put on is excellent and this performance was in that category.

To the main performance of the evening,as the music begins and first chorus of voices begin I’m drawn back to the days of war I can only read about. The sumptuous tones of each character soaring into the vast auditorium. As the opera moves on we find the men leaving our shores onboard to France, the mood changes as fear spreads through the company. The whole cast effortlessly travel through the act bringing a whole range of emotions to keep you thoughouly engrossed in this production.

At the start of the second act,we are treated to a fantastic version of Sospan fach, sung by most of the male leads and the male vocalists in the chorus,before the mood changes as the boys March towards Mametz wood. As men start dying around private ball the wood comes to life,regenerating around them as we come to a beautiful musical ending,with the Queen of the woods and the female members of the chorus treating the audience to a wonderful,tearful climax to an amazing Opera.

This has been a wonderful new Opera,which I have seen twice,and it just gets better every time. The WNO company has to be one of the best I have seen, everything they put on has been brilliant, long may it continue.