Musical tempts regional audiences: Vox Pop

Vox Pop

We asked you how often you visited the theatre and what theatre could companies do to encourage you to go more. Here’s what you said:

Lucy O’Callaghan, council worker, Swansea

“Sometimes. More advertising [is needed], because unless you actually look for what’s on I don’t think there’s much advertising about what’s on.”

Matt Hibbert, retail manager, Cardiff

“Not very often. They need to give discounts!”

Vicki Larton-Bevan, team leader in retail, Cardiff

“I haven’t been for years if I’m being honest. I don’t get any time off work. I work all weekend so I very rarely get the chance to go.”

Michael Seabourne, Cardiff

“Not as much as I’d like. I think some of it’s quite expensive to be honest. If you’re going on your own it’s not too bad but if you’re taking the family it’s a massive investment.”

Sylvia Van Aalst, travelling in Wales, Melbourne, Australia

“Not often but occasionally. I’m not sure what it’s like here but back home in Australia they could lower the prices a bit.”

Cindy Howells, Cardiff

“No, very rarely. I make a conscious decision that if I want to go and see something I do but it’s only rarely; once a year, if that.

Owain Griffiths, Cardiff

“Yes. Theatres need better advertising. The pricing is too high compared to cinema and other forms of entertainment. It needs to be in your face more.”

National Theatre Wales stages dark comedy as its first musical

A scene from National Theatre Wales' darkly comic new musical "The Village Social"

The National Theatre Wales is adding to its artistic repertoire by lifting the curtain on its first musical production.

The Village Social, an original production created by Daffyd James and Ben Lewis, opened on Friday 21 October and is set to run until mid November with 16 dates around Wales.

According to artistic director John McGrath, musicals are an important part of theatre. “Any theatre company should already be trying to attract the widest possible audience,” he said.

Musical theatre has a particular resonance in Wales because of the country’s glorious musical tradition, he added.

The darkly comic musical opened at Rudry Parish Hall and is showing at smaller venues around Wales to encourage people away from the cities to enjoy theatre.