News

The ever-popular Festival Players Theatre Company, whose Patron is now Dame Judi Dench, return to the captivating outdoor setting of Lampeter House. The all-male company will perform this delicious comedy, popular for over 400 years, about misunderstandings, love and deception. “The course of true love never did run smooth”, but the sparring antics of Shakespeare’s erstwhile lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, provide great hilarity for the other members of the household who plot to reunite them. Against this background, another romance is almost derailed by the machinations of a jealous Duke until the local constabulary bumble upon his plans. Don’t miss this Summer treat; fun for all the family! Tremendous entertainment for a Summer evening! “I was thrilled by the crystal-clear and captivating performance by the Festival Players Company,  and am delighted to commend this talented troupe.”   –    Patron,Dame Judi Dench Arrive early to enjoy the stunning gardens with a drink from 6pm. There will be refreshing G&T’s with a selection of mixers on arrival. Veggie Nachos or tasty soup will be on offer, alongside tea/coffee/cake to purchase and enjoy. Taking place in the beautifully relaxed grounds of Lampeter House, the estate has hosted events for almost 15 years.    Friday 23rd August 

What are your views on better access to quality arts and culture for everyone in Pembrokeshire? Can arts organisations and groups in the county work more closely together? And how can we raise the profile of arts and celebrate Pembrokeshire’s diverse bilingual cultural offer? These are just some of the questions that the Inspiring Pembrokeshire Cultural Project is aiming to answer over the next few months. The project aims to deliver better access to quality arts and culture for everyone in the county. In order to improve this we need you to tell us your views! The project aims to encourage all arts organisations and groups operating in Pembrokeshire to work more closely together including theatres, community arts, museums and galleries, artists and craftspeople to join up and create a strong vibrant arts scene across the county. Working with partners including: health professionals, schools, colleges, parish councils and community groups the arts sector needs to meet the needs of all the people of Pembrokeshire for the future to improve quality of life for all. We want to ensure no matter what your circumstances, language preferences, age or financial situation that nothing is a barrier to enjoying access to fun, engaging,

This summer Span Arts and PLANED have been hosting a unique bilingual writing project.   The Preseli Poetry Slam Project is now in the closing phase and we’d like to invite you to take part.  Welsh poet Karen Owen has been commissioned as our Poet in Residence, spending time in the county over May, June and finally in July.  During this time she has been inspiring the people of Pembrokeshire to pick up their pens to write about life in the region.  She has worked in schools, pubs, village halls and even in people’s homes, the feedback from all has been so positive and the poems so varied.  We’ve had serious poems, funny poems, poems about village life as well as many words about the striking landscape.  Poems have been created through the medium of Welsh, English and bilingually by fluent speakers, learners and absolute novices.  There’s still a couple of chances to get involved!  We are holding a final public workshop in Brynberian Vestry from 1-3pm on Tuesday 16th July, come along and have a chat to Karen, get warmed up and let the words flow.  And finally, the project culminates in The Preseli Poetry Slam, a celebration of the project which will be held at Newport Memorial Hall on Friday 19th July from 7-9pm.  This will

Clwb Digi is one of our pilot digital projects for Span Digidol. We launched the programme in February this year and have so far run monthly sessions on digital film and animation, app making, robotics, making contact microphones and sound manipulation. We’ve had great feedback from our participants and will be continuing to deliver this service at least until Easter 2020. Here’s what kids and their parents said: “It was awesome!” “I loved it and please do more!” “Thank you – lovely to see the kids engaged and inspired” One thing we’ve learnt is that teenagers have different digital needs from slightly younger children, so from September, we are planning a two-tiered Clwb Digi, our regular session will continue monthly for ages 8-13. We will also be running Clwb Digi Uwch, sessions for ages 12-16 exploring more advanced digital skills. If your child falls into both age groups they are welcome to attend both sessions. Clwb Digi Uwch will be led by our digital volunteer Alan Cameron-Wills, former Microsoft programmer, and John Ewart, Planed’s DATRIS co-ordinator and former CIT teacher. Sessions will revolve around creative IT problem solving and will allow each participant to develop at a pace that’s appropriate for them. Further details and dates will be

The new mural on the Span Arts building plays with language and storytelling and is based on words used to describe the local arts charity, as well as feedback about their work from audiences and participants in English and Welsh. The vowels have been edited allowing the words to still be identifiable through examination to enhance curiosity and prompt imagination. The colours taken from the Pembrokeshire flag. Over recent years the organisation has been delivering high quality and a diverse range of music, theatre, comedy and voice events, alongside a wide range of arts and wellbeing projects across Pembrokeshire. When Span received funding to commission a mural artist, they wanted to portray something new, something that makes a bold statement about how the arts can change lives and something that reflects the diversity of their work. Port Talbot born Grant Radford is the lead artist on the commission, he explains why he applied for the position “It looked like an exciting project and an opportunity to do something a bit different, it was also a chance for us to try new techniques and branding representation. It’s lovely to come back and work in Wales and the weather has been great

Open Mic Night at Druidstone Hotel An Open Mic Night, hosted by Span Arts and National Theatre Wales TEAM, will be held for the second year running at Druidstone Hotel on Thursday 4th July at 8pm. Siobhan Ashe from Span arts commented “There are so far over 15 acts who are all so diverse –it looks like it will be a really entertaining evening of local talent.” This year, the event will be held in the domes overlooking the Pembrokeshire Coastline at Druidstone Hotel. According to National Theatre Wales TEAM, there are still some slots available – so if you are a budding performer, singer, poet, spoken word, stand up comedian – why not give it a go! All ages welcome. If you would like to take part, please email owainroach@nationaltheatrewales.org.uk Tickets to watch the Open Mic Night at free. To book your free ticket as an audience member call 01834 869323 or visit www.span-arts-dev.co.uk.  

such as an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot, some very fat owls learning to hoot, a big purple dinosaur who’s a magnificent brute, two sisters who play the flute, and even a swimming pool. But he still only has one boot! Join Mister Magnolia on his wacky adventures! We are delighted to be teaming up with the National Trust Colby Woodland Gardens in Amroth to bring this brilliant Family Theatre to Pembrokeshire on  3rd August!  ‘Mister Magnolia,’ based on Quentin Blake’s book is brought to you by Folksy Theatre, as part of an extensive national UK tour. Quentin Blake is a great writer in his own right and well-known for his artwork in Roald Dahl books.   Filled with music, puppetry, wonderful characters, and audience interaction this family show is one not to be missed!    To be held in the gorgeous outdoor location of the National Trust Colby Woodland Gardens, just south of Narberth.     Colby Woodland Garden’s manager Steve Whitehead, said: “Colby Woodland Garden is a special place for play with acres for visitors to enjoy and explore. We’re excited to be teaming up with Span Arts to welcome Mister Magnolia and his theatrical adventures to the gardens.”  Picnic food will be available for purchase, so why not come a bit early and enjoy a picnic. Bring

From your five a day to the latest weight loss advice, consumers have been presented with some remarkable nutrition plans down the years but none so delightful and memorable as the one enjoyed by the old lady in the nursery rhyme There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. First written as a song in 1953 it was a chart topping hit for singer, actor and all round good guy Burl Ives before being adapted into a best selling book by Pam Adams a few years later. This version, found in schools, nurseries and homes across the world is celebrating its forty fifth anniversary and to mark the occasion popular Children’s author Steven Lee (How The Koala Learnt To Hug, Don’t Dribble On The Dragon) has turned this much loved tale into a magical musical stage show written especially for children to enjoy with their parents. With a feast of fun filled games, colourful animal characters and heart warming fun it’s the perfect family treat you can enjoy between meals without ruining your appetite! For children and adults aged 2 and above Buy your tickets here   Advance Standard: £6 Advance Family: £22 Door Standard: £7 Door Family: £24 Starts 2pm Run time: roughly

“The highlight of the festival was an incredible epic telling of the fourth branch of the Mabinogion… they received a standing ovation, which was well deserved.” Wales Arts Review Immerse yourself in glorious living landscapes and the brilliant night sky to discover a world that’s bristling with life, filled with animals, people and constellations caught between creation and destruction. Gwydion, nephew to the King, a magician and master storyteller, provokes a war between North and South Wales and unleashes a chaos of consequences. Blodeuwedd, an intoxicatingly beautiful woman conjured from flowers, is torn between desire and duty, with fateful results. Honour, justice, magic and transformation collide in a story as relevant today as it ever was, where people seek to spin, manipulate and control, and nature reveals its deep power. By turns, thrilling, funny, powerful and poetic, this spellbinding new performance vividly evokes the ancient Celtic legend of the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion. Brought to you by Adverse Camber productions and the creative team behind the much loved Hunting the Giant’s Daughter, Dreaming the Night Field features one of Wales’ most engaging storytellers alongside exquisitely haunting live music. English and Welsh are artfully woven together to make these ancient voices and living landscapes come alive

This year Narberth Carnival is celebrating 100 years of votes for women with a Wonder Women themed carnival parade. Narberth Civic Week and Span Arts will be taking over the High Street on Saturday 28th July with a spectacular carnival parade led by three giant “Wonder Women” puppets made by local community groups and volunteers. In May Span Arts asked the people of Pembrokeshire to nominate their top “Wonder Women” who have furthered the fight for gender equality and were bowled over by the response, women from Barbara Castle to Beyoncé, Emma Watson and Rosa Parks to Gwenllian, fierce Welsh warrior princess were nominated.  A public vote was held to choose the 3 finalists;  Tanni Grey-Thompson in the Welsh category, Emmeline Pankhurst in the National category and Maya Angelou in the International category. Community groups, volunteers and local individuals have had the opportunity to work with talented local puppet maker Di Ford to bring these inspirational women to life. She said, “This has been a fun and challenging project to work on. It’s been no mean feat constructing these 3-metre-high giants and the participants and volunteers have done an amazing job.”   There’s still time to join in!  How can