Author: Sarah Smith

If you’re craving a night of old-school charm, toe-tapping tunes, and dazzling dance numbers, Top Hat at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre is the perfect tonic. Based on the iconic 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film, this Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation brings Irving Berlin’s timeless score to life with elegance, humour, and a generous helping of sparkle. If you’ve not seen the original, the story follows Broadway star Jerry Travers as he arrives in London to open a new show. His late-night tap routine in a hotel suite disturbs model Dale Tremont, sparking a romantic entanglement riddled with mistaken identities,…

If you’re looking for a night of gleeful chaos, razor-sharp comedy, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the final curtain, hold onto your seats because Murder at Midnight delivers in spades. This autumn, acclaimed playwright Torben Betts and Original Theatre debut this fast-paced cocktail of murder mystery and farce that has audiences laughing, gasping, and occasionally jumping out of their seats. Set against the backdrop of a luxurious mansion on New Year’s Eve, the clock ticks ominously toward midnight as secrets unravel and bodies fall. This is a New Year’s Eve like no other, as glamour and intrigue…

Six by Nico Cardiff has rolled out the red carpet for its latest cinematic-inspired tasting menu, “Hollywood.” Inspired by legendary films of the 80s and 90s, in this edition diners are taken on a journey through iconic Hollywood blockbusters, with each course a nod to a famous film. As always, the restaurant delivers an immersive experience, combining creativity with thoughtful (optional) wine pairings to elevate the evening. The six-course tasting menu is available for £42 per person, with an additional £33 for the matching wine pairings. While the concept was captivating, the execution presented a mix of dazzling highlights and…

Located on High Street, in what is quickly becoming a foodie mecca, is Terra Mare. The team at Silures on Wellfield Road have taken over the unit recently vacated by The Libertine to offer a dining experience that seamlessly blends the rustic charm of Southern Italy with a modern culinary twist. The unit has been given a full makeover with the dark green and gold exterior being carried through into the bar and dining room. The comfortable and welcoming modern décor is accented with rustic prints of Italian villages. Our experience began with a hearty welcome, quickly followed up with…

Don your shoulder pads and backcomb your hair, this smash-hit spectacular returns to Cardiff’s Wales Millenium Centre for a week of high-octane high school hijinks! When Vernonica is adopted by the trio of Heathers she’s catapulted from being a nobody to a somebody, but she doesn’t reckon on the cost of her new-found status. She thinks being popular would be beautiful, in fact it’s murder. In her boyfriend, the mysterious new-kid JD, she thinks she’s found an ally from the unkindness of the original mean girls – Heathers Chandler, Duke and McNamara. But as the body-count rises Veronica starts to…

Frankie never wanted to be a star. Plucked from the concrete jungle of Milton Keynes she finds herself in the ruthless world of Bollywood living out the dreams of her best friend Goldy. Her chance encounter with Prem, a Bollywood director, skyrockets her into the limelight, starring in larger than life Bollywood productions alongside Raju – the King of Bollywood. During her ascendancy she topples Queen of Bollywood, Malika, and steals her crown. But all that glitters is not gold. The movies that she’s idolised since childhood, thanks to her mother’s passion for Bollywood, look different from the other side.…

A cast of 6 delivers a soulful performance depicting of the highs and lows of the life of the woman behind The Drifters. Cardiff is the last stop in the tour for this production, and I think the wait was worth it. The show took a few beats to find its feet, but it soon got into the groove with a stellar cast and outstanding production. The Drifters Girl tells the true story of the world’s first African American female music manager, Faye Treadwell, and how she fought to turn the group into a global success. The tale is told…

The 80’s hits in this show will sweep you off your feet as the love story between a spikey young navy officer trainee, Zack Mayo, and the determined Paula Pokrifki plays out. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched the film so couldn’t tell you how close to the original picture this production was. But the stage was set even before the actors came on stage with the auditorium being filled with the sounds of 80’s American TV commercials and news reels. As the new recruits arrive in town down-on-her-luck local Lynette Pomeroy, (Sinead Long, 9-5, Hamilton), seeks out…

A stunning opening night performance from the cast of 12 who tell the remarkable true story of 16,000 people impacted by the tragic events of September 11th. In the small Newfoundland, Canada, town of Gander lies an International airport where nearly 40 flights were diverted after US airspace was closed in the wake of 9/11, stranding 7,000 people. The community of Ganda welcomed these ‘come from aways’ into their community with open arms and hearts. The simple set and costumes belie the intricacies of the stories being told throughout the 100 minutes run time of Come From Away. This show…

The iconic movie inspires this stage hit which will raise the spirits and warm the soul. It’s in Cardiff for a week only at the Wales Millenium Centre and the story opens in Philadelphia on a cold Christmas eve night. Deviating slightly from the movie, the musical is set in the late 1970’s and includes original numbers inspired by Motown, soul and disco, written by Tony and Oscar award winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted). Disco diva Deloris, played by West-end star Landi Oshinowo (Shrek The Musical, Matilda The Musical), witnesses a murder. Her life takes a surprising turn when…