After an incredible summer run with Calendar Girls: The Musical, Aberystwyth Arts Centre has got a jam-packed autumn season ahead, offering something for everyone and plenty of opportunities for some time well spent.
Aberystwyth Comedy Festival (2nd-4th October) returns with 3 days of superb stand-up comedy, bringing some of the UK’s best comedians to the Arts Centre, including Robert White, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Mike Wozniak, Flo & Joan, Cerys Bradley and many more. With over 50 shows across 6 venues within the Arts Centre, you’re sure to find something to tickle your funny bone.
If comedy is your thing, Al Murray: All You Need is Guv (24th October) brings the infamous Pub Landlord to the Great Hall for a look on the bright side, BAFTA and Perrier awarding winning comedian & star of Black Books, Dylan Moran performs his new show Looking For Trouble on 29th October, and Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show (21st November) promises to be a night of fabulously funny, improvised games, scene, stories and laugh out loud surrealism.
MUSIC
Music lovers will be spoiled for choice by the shows on offer at Aberystwyth Arts Centre this autumn. On 27th September you can experience the award-winning, eight-part vocal ensemble The Apex Singers. Seamlessly blending classical choral techniques with traditional folk songs, their a cappella harmonies are rich, distinctive, and simply not to be missed. More folk music is on offer with Filkin’s Drift on 8th October as they blend fiddle, guitar and vocal harmonies to capture the essence of their recent 870-mile walk of the Welsh coastline.
World Music fans can look forward to Sunto Susso + The Gambian Superstars, performing on 16th October. Making their UK tour debut, they’re joined by UK-based saxophonist Tomoya Forster for a show that promises to be an exhilarating night of feel-good energy.
If your plan is to dance the night away, Lost in Music: One Night at the Disco (23rd October) is the ultimate feel-good disco celebration. Dust off your cowboy boots and spend A Country Night in Nashville on 14th November and tip your cowboy hat to the very best of country music. On 20th November, you can get a taste for stadium spectacle right from the comfort of the Great Hall as Sky Full of Stars: A Tribute to Coldplay delivers stunning visuals and immersive LED wristbands that light up the crowd.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Mid Wales Opera, Aberystwyth Branch Royal British Legion and Sinfonia Cymru highlight the best in Classical Music at Aberystwyth Arts Centre this November.
Join Mid Wales Opera on 5th November for Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. The 15-strong company of singers and musicians bring Puccini’s one-act comedy to life on the Theatr y Werin stage. Brimming with energy, this full evening of Italian opera is unmissable.
The 10th of November welcomes back the Ceredigion Festival of Remembrance. Featuring performances from Wynne Evans, Mark Llewelyn Evans, the Three Counties Choir & Orchestra and Aberystwyth Town Silver Band, the performance will honour those who have served and will celebrate the enduring spirit of community, service and sacrifice.
BBC National Orchestra of Wales presents War and Peace | Rhyfel a Heddwch on 12th November. Join conductor Ryan Bancroft and baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen in the Great Hall as they take you on a journey of remembrance, featuring music by Ravel, Vaughan Williams and Sibelius.
And on 26th November, Sinfonia Cymru are joined by renowned Ivorian drummer and multi-instrumentalist Sidiki Dembélé and musicians from his ensemble, Percussion d’Abobo, for Sinfonia Cymru: Yiriba. New West African tunes meet Western classical folk and traditional music – Sinfonia Cymru’s second cross-cultural collaboration presents an exciting and unexpected night of music.
FAMILIES
Families have got plenty to look forward to at Aberystwyth Arts Centre this autumn. Join theatre company Stuff and Nonsense on 29th October for The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin. An extraordinary tale about an explorer learning to speak Penguin ahead of his latest mission to the Antarctic. Told through puppetry and song, it’s a magical show suitable for ages 3+.
For something completely different, why not check out The Utterly Revolting Science Show (31st October). A highly explosive show from the producers of the smash hit RUDE SCIENCE, promising a hilarious journey through the human body (burps and farts included).
November brings tooB (3RD November), an enchanting, wordless show for 6–24-month-olds and their grown-ups. LAS Theatre’s adaptation of the award-winning children’s book The Littlest Yak (14th November) tells the story of Gertie: the little yak who wants to grow up! Don’t miss your chance to experience the beautiful puppets, the catchy tunes and the uplifting tale of self-acceptance.
And round off the season by joining S4C and Cwy for Sioe Nadolig CYW Christmas Show (26th-28th November). Festive fun and laughter with the presenters and lovable characters from Cyw’s World, as they go on an enchanting journey filled with Christmas magic.
THEATRE
Emotional and thought-provoking, Hilarious and entertaining – the Autumn programme of Theatre at Aberystwyth Arts Centre has a diverse collection of productions on offer, promising plenty of options for some time well spent.
Mewn Cymeriad return to The Studio with Islwyn (18th September), a fresh look at the life and works of an icon of Welsh literature. In a twist of fate, Frân Wen are also bringing their performance of Elis’ novel Wythnos yng Nghymru Ffydd to Theatr y Werin on October 17th. Earlier in the month, Avant Cymru presents their moving play The Silent Volunteer (14th October), which explores the Aberfan tragedy, 60 years on.
For something a little lighter, Dial 1 for UK (8TH October) is a hilarious one-man show about chasing the dream and landing in Hounslow, brought to Aberystwyth Arts Centre by Moca Productions, whilst Pride and Prejud(ish) (21st October) is a new riotous comedy by Richard Tunley, where Jane Austen’s classic story meets modern South Wales.
November in the studio sees A Song & Dance (3rd November), in which a reluctant actor returns to the stage after an 8-year period of stage fright, and Madonna on the Rocks (18th November) which looks at the push-pull of wanting to be an artist, while still being a decent parent. Two incredible shows you won’t want to miss!
And round off the season with Aberystwyth Community Theatre’s performance of Alan Bennet’s The Wind in the Willows (17th, 18th & 19th December). Suitable for all ages, expect madcap japes as they join Mole, who decides to ditch the spring-cleaning in favour of an adventure.
DANCE
Experience stunning performances and the magic of movement as Aberystwyth Arts Centre presents it’s Autumn dance programme. October welcomes Let Life Dance (7th October), brought to Theatr y Werin by Humans Move. With a cast made up of disabled and non-disabled dancers, it promises to take the audience on a journey exploring life’s twists and turns and how human connection is the key to life.
The incredible Lewis Major Projects perform their innovative and emotional Triptych (14th October), which critics have called “a triumph from beginning to end”. They’re also performing LIEN (14TH October) – a truly unforgettable one-on-one dance experience between a dancer and a single audience member.
Closing October in dance is the beautiful, family friendly The Magic Flute (24th October) by Luca Silestrini’s Protein Dance. This magical adaptation of Mozart’s opera is suitable for children and grownups alike, and blends Protein’s stunning visuals with enchanting storytelling and humour.
National Dance Company Wales returns to Aberystwyth Arts Centre on 18th &19th November with Blue/Glas. Described as ‘athletic dance, set to a driving soundtrack of traditional Welsh instruments and ancestral voices’, it promises to be a breathtaking evening of dance.
As November ends, Aberystwyth Arts Centre also welcomes back Ballet Cymru with their reimagined fairytale, Sleeping Beauty (24th November). Presented to celebrate Ballet Cymru’s 40th Anniversary, it’s a remarkable blend of innovative choreography, distinctive costumes and immersive projections, and features pre-recorded audio description in English and Welsh.
CINEMA
The Arts Centre cinema continues to be your one-stop shop for the latest big-screen movies and live screenings of ballet and opera. This season you can celebrate Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration (19th & 25th September) or witness the white-hot drama of the Royal Opera and Ballet’s Carmen (Revival) (10th & 17th November). It’s also the only place in Aberystwyth where you can watch screenings from the National Theatre, with performances of The Misanthrope (22 & 27th September / 1st & 5th October) starring Killing Eve star Sandra Oh and Golden Boy (5th, 7th, 12th & 14th November), led by The Crown star Josh O’Connor.
For all the up-to-date cinema listings, check www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
EXHIBITIONS
The galleries have a variety of exhibitions on throughout autumn and into winter, and don’t forget you can access all the galleries free of charge. Oriel 1 presents Llunio Llinyn/ Drawing a Thread by French artist Eleonore False. False spent two months in Aberystwyth in 2022 creating some of the work on display from 10th September to 17th January. The legacy of the Brexit referendum and the effect it has had on Wales’ diverse inhabitants is explored in Brexit Cymru – 10 Mlynedd Mlaen / Brexit Wales – 10 Years On, on display in Oriel 2 until 27th September. And in October, Oriel 2 welcomes Maxime Voidy and his debut UK exhibition Maxime Voidy: Trigolion yn Unig / Maxime Voidy: Locals Only, where he explores themes of tourism, housing, and our relationship with the sea (15th October to 3rd March).
DECEMBER
Enjoy all things festive this December at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
Fresh from his appearance on Y Llais, Garin Ritter brings The Golden Oldies show to the Round Studio on 4th December. Performing hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s, it will be a nostalgic night to remember.
Philomusica return on 5th December for their Philomusica Winter Concert. Aberystwyth’s own ‘town and gown’ orchestra present a night of Shakespearean splendour. Performing Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Verdi, they’ll also present the world premier of Gwydion Rhys’ extraordinary commission For I am Welsh You Know. Simply unmissable!
Experience the Christmas classic The Snowman on the big screen, with a live soundtrack performed by the world-famous Cory Band (6TH December). This magical family event includes festive Christmas music which is sure to get the whole family into the seasonal spirit.
The Great Hall welcomes back Welsh of the West End on 11th December. Featuring Welsh performers from shows such as Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, this super group will be performing their show stopping versions of musical theatre classics.
Taking you through the final push before Christmas, there are some fabulous concerts in The Great Hall to make sure you’re feeling that festive glow!
Ceredigion Music Service presents Teilwng yw’r Oen on 15th December, a celebration of the talented performers, their dedication and their musical excellence.
Cabarela take to the stage on December 18th, delivering their signature style of mischief and glamour.
And lastly, Join Elinor Powell’s Sgarmes for the seventh annual Singalong with Sgarmes and Friends on 19th December. Round off the year with a night of festive favourites for all, in support of Cyfeillion Bronglais League of Friends (CBLF).
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With a wide variety of weekly courses and other opportunities to get creative this autumn, make sure you pick up a printed brochure from the Arts Centre Box Office, or go to www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/get-involved to explore more courses and classes.
While you’re at the Arts Centre, why not treat yourself to a sweet treat at our café, with stunning views over Aberystwyth Town. There’s also an excellent gift shop, stocking work from local Welsh artists.
We look forward to welcoming you to Aberystwyth Arts Centre this autumn season.
