Wales Millennium Centre CO-PRODUCTIONS impress the world in March 2019wmc

 Wales Millennium Centre has enjoyed a successful March, both in the UK and further afield, with its latest co-productions playing to thrilled audiences and receiving positive media reviews in Auckland, Adelaide, Dublin, Salisbury and Cambridge.

At the beginning of the month Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff), a unique one-woman science-comedy musical from Welsh actress and singer Carys Eleri, performed in Australia at the prestigious Adelaide Fringe Festival. During its run, Lovecraft won a Fringe Award for ‘Best Cabaret’ show.

 The Adelaide Fringe is the world’s second largest annual fringe festival and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Advertiser, South Australia’s largest newspaper, gave the show a 4-and-a-half-star review, describing it as the ‘the most enjoyable science lecture you’ll ever experience’

In August 2018, Lovecraft, was also a huge success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – the world’s largest arts festival – where it received several 4- and 5-star reviews during its run at the Summerhall.

Meanwhile enigmatic singer Camille O’Sullivan’s spellbinding show, Cave – a theatrical exploration of Nick Cave’s music – played two sell out nights at the Palais on the Torrens River as part of the Adelaide Festival and at the prestigious Civic Theatre at the Auckland Arts Festival, receiving rave reviews.

Next month, O’Sullivan will be taking her show, which she describes as a ‘love letter to Nick Cave’, to Wilton’s Music Hall in London for a week-long run (9-13 April), where it has almost sold out.

Both Cave and Lovecraft premiered at Cardiff’s International Arts Festival, Festival of Voice 2018 last June. The biennial festival, which is created and produced by Wales Millennium Centre has been shortlisted for two awards this month – at the Cardiff Life Awards and the Cardiff Music Awards.

Festival of Voice attracted over 26,000 people over 11 days in June 2018 and included performances from Patti Smith, Gruff Rhys with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, Angelique Kidjo and many more.

Wales Millennium Centre’s latest theatrical production The Mirror Crack’d, which is the first ever UK stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple thriller, has been enjoying a successful tour since February – selling over 25,000 tickets.

The iconic Marple murder mystery which has been co-produced with Wiltshire Creative is adapted for stage by Rachel Wagstaff, is directed by Melly Still and stars Susie Blake as Miss Marple. The Mirror Crack’d opened at the Salisbury Playhouse before travelling to Dublin and Cambridge. It opened in Cardiff’s New Theatre this week on Tuesday 26th March where it will run until Saturday 6th April.

Wales Millennium Centre’s Artistic Director, Graeme Farrow, said: “It is our ambition to create critically acclaimed touring productions that showcase Wales to the world. Therefore, it is fantastic to see that Cave, Lovecraft and The Mirror Crack’d have been so enthusiastically received by audiences in the UK and on the other side of the world.

I am extremely proud and grateful to everyone involved in these diverse yet equally brilliant productions – they have worked tirelessly to ensure that the people who come to see our shows have an unforgettable experience”.

 

Reviews – Cave

O’Sullivan’s unique and stunning Irish croon convulsed or soothed as each song required.

The Music

 

A lush, opulent, memorable hour and a half with an intriguing, impassioned performer. 

13th Floor

 

She burns just as bright as Cave, if not brighter. Where Cave longs to see the face of God, O’Sullivan danced last night with the ecstasy of one who has seen Him and lived to tell the tale

Theatre Scenes

 

Reviews – Lovecraft

Lovecraft… is an excellent example of how good a performance can be when properly funded to succeed.

Glam Adelaide ★★★★1/2

 

Carys Eleri’s first fringe show in Adelaide, which blurs the lines between cabaret and comedy in the most enjoyable science lecture you’ll ever experience

The Advertiser ★★★★1/2

 

Reviews – The Mirror Crack’d

A wonderfully successful production then. One which will collect accolades throughout its coming tour of Dublin. Cambridge, Cardiff and beyond.

British Theatre Guide

 

A thoroughly entertaining and cinematic take on one of Christie’s best.

The Stage

 

This excellent production is thoroughly deserving of a wide audience.

West End Wilma

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