Latest news with #RiverfrontTheatre
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Big Splash arts festival takes over Newport for 2025
As Wales' largest free outdoor arts festival, Big Splash sees thousands of people visit the city to take part in workshops and craft activities and watch live music, street theatre and dance performances. Described as 'a slice of Covent Garden in Newport', it turns the streets of Newport into a giant stage for all to enjoy. Tiny Circus gets ready for a big show (Image: NQ) The main hub that is situated in the Riverfront Theatre provides a range of different events and stalls that allow visitors to get creative and join in with the fun. From an arts & crafts room to circus trick classes to skateboarding with No Comply, there is something for everyone under one roof. Elsewhere across the rest of the city centre, visitors can watch performances in the lively street theatre in Usk Plaza, catch live performances and play games on Big Splash Boulevard, and take in the vibrant showcase of local art and culture in the Creative Quarter. Audiences watch performances from the top of John Frost Square (Image: NQ) The two-day event itself is completely free of charge, making it the perfect family friendly experience for all ages. Evan Elias, 22, is a member of staff at the Riverfront and is spending the day manning the 'imagination station' arts & crafts area. He said: 'I love making creativity accessible and seeing the impact free art can have on local people.' Staff members like Evan Elias get stuck right in (Image: NQ) A lot of the attendees and staff milling around Newport today share similar sentiments. The festival brings the city together, helping to make art accessible to those who wouldn't experience it otherwise – visitors are allowed to pick their poison in this sense and decide whether they'd like the adrenaline rush of watching a circus performer juggle blades, or through the more peaceful act of story times in Waterstones. Big Splash runs Saturday June 19 to Sunday June 20 and closes with a DJ set from Newport legend Benji Webbe on the Celebrate Stage on Big Splash Boulevard at 4:20PM Sunday.
South Wales Argus
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Ballet Cymru Giselle to perform at Tredegar House, Newport
If you've missed out, fear not. The award-winning production, which premiered at Riverfront Theatre in May, will be performed on the grounds of Tredegar House in Newport next week. Ballet Cymru's Giselle tells the tragic romantic story of a young Welsh girl named Giselle, who falls in love but dies of heartbreak. It features Adolphe Adam's original and hauntingly classical score, original choreography by Darius James OBE and Amy Doughty, exceptional and distinctive costumes, and immersive video projections. Don't miss this exceptional and ground-breaking company featuring an outstanding and diverse ensemble of brilliant dancers. Giselle will be performed at Tredegar House and Gardens soon (July 10, July 11, July 12). All the listed open-air performances will be from 6.30pm (gates open from 6pm) and the production is approximately two hours – this includes a 20-minute interval. Bring along a chair, picnic blanket, or some comfy cushions to sit on in the stunning setting. And be sure to bring along a picnic or refreshments to enjoy during the show. Tickets for these outdoor performances are £22 or £11 concessions. Children aged eight and under can go for free (up to two free child tickets per paying adult). Full details and tickets online at Ballet Cymru is an international touring ballet company for Wales, committed to inclusion and innovation in dance and classical ballet, and the highest standard of collaboration. Ballet Cymru has a spacious studio based in Rogerstone and is well-known for its engagement within communities, working tirelessly to make the arts accessible to all.
South Wales Argus
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Newport play written and performed by homeless people
'The Visitor' was developed over 10 weeks as part of The Story Project, a two-year storytelling project funded by Arts Council Wales. This has developed as a collaborative effort between Welsh homelessness charity The Wallich, Owen Thomas, the Riverfront Theatre, Sherman Theatre, Grand Ambition in Swansea, Carmarthenshire Theatres, Theatr Clwyd, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Awen Cultural Trust, and National Theatre Wales. The performance aimed to challenge stereotypes by showcasing talent and creativity, offering new perspectives on homelessness. The heart of the story lies in the journey of the Visitor, portrayed by Osian Lloyd, an emerging actor who is also a participant in the Story Project. The Visitor's adventure in Newport begins after his bus breaks down. Initially, he holds certain prejudices against the city, known for violence and antisocial behaviour. But The Professor, a character in the play, guides him on a time-travelling adventure, revealing vital moments of Newport's history. These included the 1830s uprising led by John Frost and the Chartists, the symbolism of the transporter bridge in the 1900s, the lively music scene of the 1980s, and finally, a glimpse into modern-day Newport. The narrative then becomes a moving testament to shared experiences and creativity. The play was presented as a script-in-hand performance by a group supported by The Wallich through the Gwent BOOST Project, with the assistance of other project participants. Despite a tight six-week schedule, the cast, under the guidance of Newport practitioner Naomi Norman and Owen Thomas, managed to integrate their personal experiences and connections to Newport into an engaging story. The performance concluded on a hopeful note, with the Visitor deciding to extend his stay in Newport, changing his previously negative impression of the town. The Story Project has been transformative, paving the way for new partnerships, friendships, talents, and even careers. People homeless from Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth, Wrexham, Ammanford, and Llanelli have all participated in the initiative. The project aims to introduce or reintroduce the enchantment of theatre and the arts, encouraging people homeless to share their stories and develop new creative and technical skills.
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Mersey Beatles set for Newport Riverfront Theatre gig
On Thursday, June 5, the band will perform at the Riverfront Theatre, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic Shea Stadium concert. With a history spanning 25 years, The Mersey Beatles have delighted audiences worldwide, and this show promises to be their biggest UK tour yet. The performance will feature an array of classic hits from 1965, including beloved tracks from the albums Help! and Rubber Soul. Fans can also expect a journey through the psychedelic sounds of Sgt Pepper, a stroll down Abbey Road, and an homage to later masterpieces like Revolution, Get Back, and Hey Jude. Hailing from Liverpool, The Mersey Beatles were the resident tribute band at the famous Cavern Club for a decade, performing over 600 times at the venue where The Beatles first made their mark. (Image: DAVE NELSON) The current lineup includes Mark Bloor as John, Steven Howard as Paul, Craig McGown as George, and Brian Ambrose as Ringo. Looking ahead to the Newport show, Mr Howard said, "We cannot wait to take to the stage at the Riverfront Theatre. "We always have an amazing night in South Wales – the audiences are always up for a good night – so this will be an amazing night." Tickets for The Mersey Beatles at Riverfront Theatre are on sale now, available from the Newport Live website.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Frustration over delays for medieval ship discovered on banks of Welsh river
Frustration over delays for medieval ship discovered on banks of Welsh river There was excitement that one of Wales' top attractions could soon come to fruition but more than two years on the council has so far been unable to see the project through The ship was found in the banks of the Usk in Newport in 2002 and has undergone careful restoration ever since (Image: Rob Norman/WalesOnline ) There is frustration over delays to a medieval ship in Wales becoming a premier tourist attraction. The Spanish medieval ship, discovered on the banks of the River Usk in Newport in 2002 during the construction of the city's Riverfront Theatre, remains the largest and most complete section of a 15th-century European vessel to date. After 20 years of restoration work, in 2023 archaeologists began carefully reassembling the ship, which would have travelled long-distance routes of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. There was excitement then that one of Wales' top attractions could soon come to fruition, but more than two years on Newport council has so far been unable to see the project through while there are no concrete plans for the ship's base. While the council has tried to capitalise on interest around the ship by offering medieval ship themed history and craft sessions at the ship's visitor centre at the Estuary Road industrial estate, where some of the ship's timber remains are sited, Tory council opposition leader Matthew Evans told full council this week that the city needed the ship on display as soon as possible. "We shouldn't be talking about doing long term strategies 20 years later – we just need to get on with it," Cllr Evans said. "Newport needs something to bring people into the city centre." He proposed seeking support from the Welsh Government or National Lottery's heritage fund for a local project, or finding a third-party operator which could mirror the National Trust's involvement at Tredegar House. Article continues below "There are lots of potential sites – but until you find a site, you can't continue with the plans and the funding," he said. Friends of Newport Ship's Phil Cox in a climate controlled storeroom with sections from the ship (Image: Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Newport council responded by saying it is committed to finding a lasting location for the ship and that expert advisers have been brought on board to plan for its future. The council said the work by external specialists is almost finished and they will "consider all options for the future ownership and governance of the project" which includes identifying appropriate sites. But the council ruled out the previous suggestion of displaying the ship in the Riverfront Theatre's lower level as "the space is not suitable for the reassembly and display of the artefact". The annual cost to manage the ship's timbers, stored at the visitor centre, stands at £100,000, and the council highlighted that budget constraints would impact its ability to develop the restored ship into a permanent exhibit. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here "The context of funding to local authorities being cut in real terms over the last decade and a half, and our duty to protect frontline and statutory services, means that we cannot do this alone," a spokesperson for the council explained. The opposition leader has asked Newport council's cabinet why a permanent home hasn't been identified for the ship (Image: Friends Of Newport Ship ) "We will need support from partners to take this project forward. Once we have considered the appraisal we will begin discussions with the relevant partners to determine the next steps." Originating from northern Spain around the mid-15th century, historians believe the trading vessel which likely operated between Britain and the Iberian peninsula was likely hauled into Newport for repair works but met instability before refurbishing could start. The intriguing story of the ship continues to garner fascination, made evident in 2023 as historian Dan Snow described the return of the last restored pieces to Newport as heralding a "unique" and "exciting" chapter for the city. Article continues below
