Latest news with #TheatrClwyd
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Theatr Clwyd: House of the Dragon star to appear in new play
Theatr Clwyd, in Mold, is set to host the world premiere of The Red Rogue of Bala, written by newcomer Chris Ashworth-Bennion. The play, which will run from November 3 to 22, tells a darkly comedic story of "power, community, and change." It is inspired by Coch Bach y Bala, an infamous figure from the area known for his jailbreaking, poaching, and thievery, set against the backdrop of impending war. At the centre of the story is Bala, played by Simon Holland Roberts. Mr Roberts has appeared in Coronation Street and on stage at various prestigious venues such as the Donmar Warehouse and Chichester Festival Theatre. Simon Holland Roberts has been cast to play Coch Bach y Bala (Image: Theatr Clwyd) Joining him are Maxine Evans and Julian Lewis Jones, both familiar faces from popular TV shows. Ms Evans has appeared in Sky's Stella, Call the Midwife, Torchwood, Casualty, Holby City, and EastEnders. Mr Jones has starred in Justice League, Clint Eastwood's Invictus, and HBO's House of the Dragon. Maxine Evans of Call the Midwife, Torchwood, Casualty, Holby City, and EastEnders (Image: Theatr Clwyd) Rhys Ap Trefor, known for his long-running role in Pobol y Cwm and various other TV shows, will also join the cast. Wyn Bowen Harries, artistic director of Cwmni Pendraw, also joins the cast, bringing along his experience from Rownd a Rownd, Hinterland/Y Gwyll, Coronation Street, and Pobol y Cwm. Theo Woolford, currently on a UK tour of Dial M For Mayhem, and Mia Khan, who appeared in BBC Two's Mammoth, will also be part of the cast. Julian Lewis Jones, known for Justice League, Clint Eastwood's Invictus, and HBO's House of the Dragon (Image: Theatr Clwyd) Making his professional Welsh stage debut is Geraint De Carvalho, a recent graduate of East 15 Acting School, with past credits including The Cherry Orchard, Betrayal, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Completing the cast is Qasim Mahmood, known for his performances at the RSC, Hampstead Theatre, Birmingham Rep, and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Directed by Dan Jones, artistic director of Cardiff's The Other Room, the play promises a 'gripping' storyline featuring an ensemble cast of Welsh talent. READ MORE: KT Tunstall takes to the stage at Llangollen International Eisteddfod The creative team includes Mark Bailey as set and costume designer, Simisola Majekodunmi as lighting designer, Johnny Edwards as sound designer. Mared Williams is the play's songwriter and musical director, and Bethan Clark has been appointed fight director. Tickets for The Red Rogue of Bala can be purchased on the theatre's website at
North Wales Live
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
'My memories of Theatr Clwyd in Mold and hopes for the future'
My first visit to Theatr Clwyd was as a primary school pupil experiencing live theatre for the first time. I was blown away that we had such a facility in Flintshire, writes Jack Sargeant, now Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership. When I visited in a hard hat back in January, the main theatre was nearing completion and excitement for the coming months was building. So it was fantastic to be back again last weekend, standing outside the transformed building watching representatives of the 300 local community groups who meet in the theatre perform and celebrating with them the £50m redevelopment of a north Wales cultural institution. What I enjoyed most was everyone there had a story about what the theatre means to them. The full re-opening of the building is happening gradually. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The curtains have raised and fallen on the first in-house production for the new-look theatre, and the unveiling of the restaurant and bar (in partnership with Welsh chef Bryn Williams) will happen over the next few weeks. But it's already impossible not to be impressed by renowned architects' Haworth Tompkins' redesign that makes the most of the theatre's hilltop setting. Since being appointed Culture Minister, I have stressed that every person in Wales should have the right to access, create, participate in, and see themselves reflected in the cultural activity of our nation. This is what Theatr Clwyd has always delivered and our investment will only build on this legacy. What struck me on Saturday was the variety and diversity of the groups who call this building home. The community members attending were aged between nine and 95 and represented a fraction of the 6,840 people with whom the theatre's creative engagement team work every year. On completion the redeveloped building will see more beneficiaries from this outstanding programme with dedicated spaces for increased referral work with NHS, Social Services, housing associations and local refugee charities. There will also be increased facilities for heart Clwyd Music Trust through whom over 3,000 pupils every week, across 74 schools in Flintshire, are learning to play a musical instrument. This is important to Theatr Clwyd, and it's important to me and to the Welsh Government, which is why we've invested over £26m to secure the future of this flagship national arts venue whose doors are wide open to the local community. It's vital that young people are given a gateway to culture from an early age. As I said earlier, for me - and thousands of fellow North Walians - Theatr Clwyd was our first introduction to live theatre. I also remember how proud I felt as an eight-year-old going with my Ysgol Bryn Deva classmates to watch our own film (about a missing guinea pig) being screened in the theatre to celebrate Welsh Cinema Day. Once work is complete, Theatr Clwyd will be a sustainable building: completely fossil fuel and gas free and able to harvest solar energy and rainwater from its external walls and roofs. It is also going to help sustain the local creative workforce, creating a minimum of 100 additional permanent jobs and tripling its economic contribution to north-east Wales (estimated to reach over £20 million per year following the redevelopment). I haven't even begun to talk about the extra training and apprenticeship opportunities for the tourism, hospitality and theatre sectors. We should be proud of the top tier arts venue we have on our doorstep. Proud, and expectant. Because the new look Theatr Clwyd will be the setting for first-time cultural experiences, community action and world-class productions for generations to come.
Leader Live
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
MS for Delyn reflects on Betsi Cadwaladr's annual report
MS for Delyn This week in the Senedd, I asked the Senedd Commission – the body that looks after the day-to-day running of our Welsh Parliament – what consideration has been given to improving the online accessibility and visibility of information about the work of the Senedd in order to support greater public engagement across Wales. It's vital that the people of Wales feel fully engaged in the work of the Senedd and in devolution itself, especially during times like these where misinformation is often circulating on social media – this issue was raised by a constituent who explained how hard it can be to find key info like how votes happen or how to get involved. With the seventh sitting of the Senedd on the horizon after the election in 2026, there's a real opportunity to make the website clearer, more accessible and more engaging for people across Wales. I'm pleased to hear that a review is under way, but I've asked for more detail on how this will be delivered in time for the next Senedd. Closer to home, it was a busy weekend starting with a colourful community celebration to mark the transformative redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd on Saturday morning. The carnival-inspired performance featured a number of the community groups and ensembles that make up our theatre community and was a fitting way to recognise the significance of Theatr Clwyd to our corner of the country. Like many in our area, I've grown up with the theatre on my doorstep, it was where I went as a child and what helped me on my journey to university. The £50m development includes £26.5m of funding from the Welsh Government, something which I am proud to have played a part in securing for our theatre for generations to come. The carnival atmosphere continued on Sunday, as it was time once again for the annual Mold Carnival. The wet weather definitely didn't dampen spirits and the parade wound its way through the town, led by the brilliant Cambria Band. There was then an afternoon of entertainment, stalls and activities at Kendrick's Fields and Maes Bodlonfa Park. The extravaganza is made possible thanks to an organising team of just eight people, then joined with an army of wonderful volunteers on the day itself – I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all their efforts and for enabling another excellent event. Last week Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) published its annual report and among the highlights in the report were how the board managed to reduce its overspend by £16.7m last year and that it is now the second best health board in Wales for the percentage of GP surgeries that achieved the National Access Standards for in-hours medical services – the report said that 99% of GPs met the required standard for high-quality care, timely access to services and fair access for all patients. While this is good news, it's clear that a lot more needs to be done for the health service here and it was also good to hear the Cabinet Secretary announce last week an investment of £9.49m in two new linear accelerators at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to replace ageing equipment – a real boost for radiotherapy treatment in North Wales. As June came to a close, I had the opportunity to attend the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno, a chance to not only catch up with the sort of issues people are talking about but also to really show off North Wales to people from across the country. While there, I was pleased to speak at the Women's Welcome Reception where I shared my personal journey to help support and encourage other women across our movement. I also took part in a World Wildlife Fund Cymru fringe event which shared the organisation's polling insights ahead of next year's Senedd elections – thank you, too, to all the individuals and organisations that took the time to talk, including the RSPCA, Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer's Society, Breast Cancer Now and Marie Curie Cymru. Diolch am eich amser! Finally, the Women's Euros kicked off last week as Cymru took on the Netherlands on Saturday. It's a tough group Wales Women have found themselves in – every other team in the group have won the tournament before – but I know we will all be behind our Welsh women as they make history playing in their first ever major tournament. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Actor Rhys Ifans helps celebrate theatre redevelopment
The transformation, designed by architects Haworth Tompkins, includes £26.5 million of Welsh Government funding. The economic impact of the redevelopment is estimated to be more than £20 million per year. This is almost triple the theatre's previous economic contribution and is expected to created more than 100 additional permanent jobs. The building in Mold, which remained largely open as work progressed, houses two theatres, a development studio for professional artists, a cinema, a new bar and restaurant (with Michelin-starred chef Bryn Williams), an arts and health suite and a youth hub. It aims to be complete this autumn. The community-led celebration event marked the first phase of the theatre's full reopening. Members of 300 local groups were invited to tour the venue and take part in a special performance. Culture, skills and social partnership minister Jack Sargeant said: 'Our investment has delivered a world class facility and created sustainable employment as well as supporting the next generation of skilled professionals, by giving opportunities for apprentices." Liam Evans-Ford, executive director of Theatr Clwyd, said: 'We are extremely proud of our work at Theatr Clwyd, from the high-quality theatre making and music education, to the referral partnerships and focused delivery with and for communities. "This event offers a moment to celebrate the first phase of our opening, and to thank partners such as the Welsh Government. Governments funding arts and culture is deeply important, and this is a significant statement that Welsh Government recognise the work and impact of our work at Theatr Clwyd.' The Welsh Government has increased day-to-day spend on heritage, arts and culture by 8.5 per cent this year.
Leader Live
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
MS says culture isn't a luxury in Wales its 'who we are'
MS for Delyn Last week in the Senedd, I spoke about the incredible contribution of North Wales to our cultural landscape – whether that's the Llangollen International Eisteddfod or the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph or our historic heritage at Flint Castle and Greenfield Valley. There's also the jewel in our cultural crown, Theatr Clwyd, which is nearing the end of an inspirational transformation. Culture in Wales isn't a luxury, it's who we are. It empowers, connects and drives our economy and it deserves to be supported not only by Welsh Government and other public bodies but also by our communities, the communities who inspire and attend performances and enjoy the wonderful cultural riches on offer in our corner of Wales. You can see many of my contributions in Senedd on my Facebook page at It was also lovely recently to welcome students and teachers from Point of Ayr Federation Schools to the Senedd for a visit. They certainly asked some fantastic questions and took the opportunity to raise a number of things they were concerned about with me – from the impact of acts of anti-social behaviour on their school and in their local area to what was happening with plans for a new skate park. I look forward to taking these matters up as their Member of the Senedd and updating the students through their schools. Last week was Armed Forces Week, culminating in Armed Forces Day on Saturday – a chance to pay tribute to the dedication, courage and sacrifice of those who have served and those who continue to serve in our Armed Forces. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all those in our Armed Forces community, including veterans and reservists here in North Wales, for their continued service and commitment. We will always remember, support and stand with you. As this year's Pride month comes to a close, it's a chance to reflect on what has been a packed but powerful few weeks. From the first ever Prestatyn Pride to the excellent Flintshire Schools Pride, Pride Cymru in the capital and Commonwealth events in the Senedd, Pride remains as relevant and as important as ever – a positive force for good that brings together both the LGBTQ+ community and the wider community. It's a privilege to serve the community that shaped me here in North Wales and I'm proud to be an authentic advocate and ally for our LGBTQ+ community too. Pride is still a protest and love will always win! Regular readers of this column will know that the Welsh Government will be banning plastic in wet wipes next year – the legislation is set to come into force in December 2026 and is part of a wider, integrated approach to address the problems created by excess plastic and litter, banning all sorts of single-use and unnecessary plastics in products we all use regularly, something which I kick-started when I was Minister for Environment back in 2016. So it was heartening this week to hear that Nice-Pak in Flint, one of our biggest local employers and one which does a lot of work locally for our communities, is ready for the transition ahead of the legislation by ensuring that 96% of the wipes it manufactures for the UK market are already plastic-free. This is great news for the company and for the environment – well done to the team at Nice-Pak! Finally, a reminder that Mold Carnival is back this Sunday, July 6 – a brilliant local event that brings the whole community together at the Rec and Kendricks Field (Maes Bodlonfa Fields). The day kicks off with a colourful parade at 10:30am from Griffiths Square car park and runs until 6pm with everything from hands-on science fun and special character appearances to live music, dance acts and family entertainment throughout the day. Plus, there'll be free football activities thanks to the FAW and McDonald's as well as Transformer robots! If you're free, do pop down and support this fantastic local day out. It's a great celebration of everything that makes Mold such a special place to live. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
