Arts Scene in Wales

The Authentic Representation of Artists and Critics in Wales. Arts Scene in Wales serves as the central hub for art reviews in the region, offering a space for artists to express their ideas and opinions. What sets us apart is our commitment to providing reviewers from various backgrounds a chance to voice their perspectives while also allowing artists to speak freely, free from the influence of public funding, commercial interests, or political pressures. Additionally, we proudly cover works in both English and Welsh, offering reviews in both languages.

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Articles

Amadeus, Everyman Theatre, Cardiff

Feb 6, 2025 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

Everyman does not shy away from work that requires exceptionally strong character actor and this is certainly the case with the Peter Schaffer play Amadeus. Productions of the play always suffer from the fact that the film version is so well known, and frankly brilliant, and comparisons are pointless. The only real similarities are that the two leading male roles require superlative acting.
Ross Hicks Trio at Abergavenny

Jan 27, 2025 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Nigel Jarrett

Before the 1960s – and a while after that in most places – a jazz piano trio consisted of a pianist doing nearly all the work and a bassist and drummer simply underpinning the tempo and rhythm. Now and then, the last two were allotted solo spots, often out of deference to skill sets buried in routine and repetitive accompaniment. Everything changed with the Bill Evans Trio.
Art Scene in Wales

Dec 8, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

Alternative CabaretWales Millennium CentreWeston StudioIt must be very difficult trying to present yourselves as “alternative” when you are the new normal. Had the show been about, say, a heterosexual relationship involving people happy with their gender we would have all been shocked and wowed by the bravery of presenting something running against the theatrical norm. But we were not. There really wasn’t anything subversive or different about this show.
I Pagliacci, Mid Wales Opera

Dec 3, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Nigel Jarrett

Abergavenny Borough TheatreMid Wales Opera is like many other touring companies in scaling down for relatively small venues those works written to fill out bigger ones; but, unlike most of them, it has made an art and a virtue of miniaturisation.
Major boost in ticket sales for MWO's 2024 tour

Nov 29, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

Touring across Wales and the Borders, visiting 12 local venues which are rooted in their community, the Mid Wales Opera 2024 SmallStages tour of Pagliacci saw a 37% increase in average ticket sales per venue compared to the previous year.
Bernstein, Barber, Schubert: Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Nicky Spence - Art Scene in Wales

Nov 13, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Nicky Spence. Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, CardiffCarlo Rizzi’s conducting was the star of the night, showcasing his mastery and the strength of the orchestra across three very different pieces. He began with the overture to Bernstein’s “Candide” a jaunty opener that cannot fail to entertain any audience with its easily accessible frivolity. Rizzi set a sparking, electric pace right from the start.
WMC announce a digital venue for storytelling as arts cuts continue

Nov 5, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) has announced a digital-first performance venue providing a platform for storytelling through emerging technology. The new site will include a 550-capacity space dedicated to explorie immersive experiences, as well as facilities for production, rehearsal and training, and will be the first stand-alone building that WMC has added since being opened in 2014.
Il triticco, Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre

Oct 1, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

XXXXXApologies to the rest of the splendid cast members, and they really were all excellent, but this revival of Il trittico belonged to Natalya Romaniw. Forget the nonsense, psychobable productions and zany, distracting stagings we keep being dished up for some reason, this is what opera is all about. It was the promise of our most exciting singer that tempted me back to review the triple bill just weeks after the last outing of this David McVicar, no-nonsense production with WNO.
Mid Wales Opera tours with Pagliacci

Sep 29, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Mike Smith

Tickets are on sale for Mid Wales Opera new SmallStages production of Pagliacci, following a gargantuan effort to raise finances after the Arts Council of Wales’ savage cuts. This compelling operatic experience promises to captivate both long-time opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Rigoletto, Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre

Sep 22, 2024 | asiw.co.uk | Dan Ford |Chiara Strazzulla

For one of the best-known and most frequently staged of Verdi’s opera, Rigoletto can prove at times quite frustrating. There is a feeling that is difficult to shed that the opera is trying to do many things at once, none of which are truly fully developed.