Play gives insight into the lives of Llan's Ladies

 

 

* Caroline Anthonisz, left, and Paula Sutton as Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby.

 

A PLAY specially written for the town’s Fringe Festival provides a fascinating and thoughtful insight into the lives of the famous Ladies of Llangollen.

The one-hour drama, penned by Wrexham playwright Peter Read, was given added poignancy as it was performed earlier this evening in the open air within the grounds at Plas Newydd where the couple lived together for over 50 years.

The exact nature of the relationship of Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Elizabeth Butler is central to the piece.

Were they living together as “lovers” in the sense of the term we accept today, or were they simply two women who loved each other for companionship and out of mutual admiration – a meeting of minds rather than bodies?

Thankfully, to help preserve the question mark which has hung over them for the past couple of centuries, the truth of the matter isn’t explored too deeply.

Instead, we see the frantic flight of this aristocratic duo from their native Ireland – where perhaps loveless marriages and a life of strict conventionality awaited them – to the Vale of Llangollen where their idyll was frequently buffeted by a lack of funds, untrustworthy servants and spats with the neighbours.

It is a credit to Peter Read’s dramatic abilities and a talented eight-strong cast that a decent-sized audience got a real flavour of what life was like for this rather odd couple.

Caroline Anthonisz and Paula Sutton were highly believable as Butler and Ponsonby respectively.

The fictitious modern-day couple – a playwright called James and a writer of coffee table books called Anna visiting Plas Newydd for research purposes - whom the author uses a device to tell the tale, are thoughtfully played by Joe Scatley and Megan Wroe.

And there are some neat cameos in various supporting from David Edgar, Andrew Welsh, Lizzie Clifford and John Clifford.

Sarah and Eleanor the Play will be performed again at Plas Newydd tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7pm.

* For tickets, see the Llangollen Fringe website at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk, or get them at the Fringe desk at the entrance to the Town Hall, or at Plas Newydd on the night.

 

Operatic's next show will be The Producers

* Producer Tracey Rawlinson, right, presents the John Evans Memorial Trophy to Elen-Haf Taylor.

Fresh from its recent success with Sister Act, Llangollen Operatic Society has announced that its 2016 production will be the internationally acclaimed musical The Producers by Mel Brooks.  

 

Originally a film starring Gene Wilder, the show first opened on Broadway in 2001 and has since won a staggering 12 Tony Awards in addition to three Olivier Awards.

 

It is currently on a UK national tour with the comedian Jason Manford playing the principal role of Leo Bloom and Ross Noble as Franz Liebkind. 

 

The show will be produced by Tracey Rawlinson, assisted by her daughter Alix Rawlinson, who has just graduated in drama and theatre studies from Aberystwyth University.

 

Elen Mair Roberts will once again take the helm as musical director and society stalwart Nia Pickering will make her debut as artistic director.  

 

Tracey said: “In the same vein as Sister Act, The Producers is quite unlike anything we have staged before.

 

"It will be a challenge but Elen, Nia and I have every confidence that the cast and crew will rise to the occasion as they always do and put on a unique and unforgettable production that our audiences will absolutely love.  

 

“The show has everything; it’s vibrant, outrageous, risqué and will have you aching with laughter. We really can’t wait."  

 

The production will run from April 12-16 next year, with a matinee performance on Saturday, April 16.

  

As ever, the group is keen to welcome new members for roles both on stage and off. In particular, they would like to hear from any men who are interested in joining as this show has a significant male cast.  

 

The new season will start with a musical theatre-themed get together on Saturday, September 5 in Llangollen’s RAFA club.

 

There will be a bar, nibbles, an opportunity to get the vocal chords working with karaoke and for potential or returning members to meet and chat with some of the current membership.  

 

Rehearsals will then start in earnest on Tuesday, September 8, at 7.30pm in the studio off Castle Street. 

 

If you would like to like to get involved or would like more information, contact Tracey on 07875639533/traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com or Nia 07766800272/ nia_heavens@hotmail.com   

 

* The society recently held its annual general meeting during which the winners of its 2015 awards were announced.

 

The John Evans Memorial Trophy, which is judged by an independent adjudicator and presented to the member who is deemed to have given the best all round performance in the annual production, was awarded to Elen-Haf Taylor for her spectacular performance as Deloris van Cartier in the society's recent production of Sister Act.  

 

 

 

* Paul Gay, left, presents the Diana Gay Rose Bowl to Tracey Rawlinson. 

 

Elen-Haf is leaving the society to pursue a degree course at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

 

Recipient of the Diana Gay Rose Bowl, which is presented by Paul Gay in memory of his late wife, who was the society’s wardrobe mistress for a number of years, was Tracey Rawlinson.

 

This award is voted for by the membership and is presented to the member who is considered to have done the most for the society over the year.

 

Having not only produced but also directed Sister Act as well as doing so much more, Tracey was the unanimous choice for this award.

Good rockin' at Fringe's steam train music event

* The Del Sharrons get the train underway from Llangollen station.

There was good rockin' all along the line this evening as Llangollen Railway hosted a Fringe event called Rock 'n' Roll Steam Train.

Revellers turned up from 5pm to be greeted by sounds from the band Del Sharron playing on Llangollen station.

Shortly afterwards, they boarded the train, hauled by a steam engine, which took them to Carrog station where there was a lively set from the country outfit, The Goat Ropers.

On the way back there was dancing in a carriage specially set aside for the purpose.

It was then back aboard for the return leg to Llangollen where once again they were able to groove to tunes from Del Sharron heavily laced with 60s favourites.

* The Goat Ropers play for train passengers at Carrog station.

* Dancing on the train back to Llangollen (picture by Mike Edwards).  

* Dancing breaks out on the platform back at Llangollen station.

Musical theatre workshops for the holidays

Get your Splurge guns ready and brush up your Charleston as we're heading for 1920s Chicago.

Gangsters and molls are wanted for this year's Musical Theatre Workshop, Bugsy Malone, to be held in Llangollen, Wrexham an Oswestry by local dance instructor Julie Thomas.

And to celebrate 10 years of her workshops Julie has chosen one of her favourite children's shows.

The latest two-day workshops will run in the three towns during the summer holidays.

Julie said: "If your boy or girl aged six to 12 years old enjoys performing then book them on to this fantastic event which will culminate in a short performance for family."

* See poster below for further details ...

Search and rescue team called to Llan

North East Wales Search and Rescue has just revealed on its Facebook page how one of its teams were called out to Llangollen last Wednesday.

They say ...

"CALLOUT: On Wednesday 15/7 the team was called to treat and evacuate a young person with a significant lower leg injury following a fall at Dinas Bran Castle, near Llangollen.

Ten of our volunteer team members responded with two Landrovers.

When we arrived on scene a Welsh Ambulance Service crew had already reached the casualty and were providing initial treatment.

The casualty was placed in a vacuum mattress to stabilise the injured leg and then stretched back to the waiting ambulance. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery. The picture shows the team members carrying the casualty down."
 

Railway swings into 1960s weekend

* Railway staff get into the swing of a previous 60s weekend.

Llangollen Railway will be staging its sixth 1960's weekend On July 24-26.

Organisers say there's lots of 60's themed things to enjoy all along the line over the weekend and they are encouraging visitors to join staff in dressing up in outfits from the era.

Dr Beeching's Bar in the Robertson Suite at Llangollen station will be open on Friday evening, Saturday from 12 until late and Sunday.

Eight local real cask ales will be on offer at £3 a pint along with Wrexham lager, wines and cider.

The railway is  running a 1960's-themed pub quiz at around 8.30pm. Entry will be £5 per team with all proceeds going to boiler repairs for Foxcote Manor, the line's flagship steam locomotive.

There will be live music performed on the platform during Saturday afternoon and evening, from 7-10pm.

Entry is free and burgers from the station restaurant barbeque will be available.

Further up the line, Berwyn station café will be open and alighting from the train here provides quick and easy access to the recently reopened Chain Bridge, now resplendent after a full restoration.

The popular and free "rail replacement" vintage bus service will be running between Llangollen and Corwen during the day, also calling at Berwyn and Glyndyfrdwy - where there is a large vintage vehicle rally of 60's era cars and other vehicles.

A café in the station will be serving tea and cakes.

Anyone with a vintage car from the 1960s or older is welcome to bring it along to display and will receive complimentary travel on the railway for the event.

Carrog station tearooms will also be open, which is a good spot to get off the train for a cuppa, cake and a walk around the village with its spectacular views and the Grouse pub.

Throughout the weekend the railway will be running an intensive timetable of vintage trains - with  steam locomotives temporarily weathered to look grimy and unloved, as they were in the 60s as many branch lines, including Llangollen, were closed and steam traction was replaced by diesels and railcars. 

Two diesel locomotives and a railcar will be in use over the weekend to demonstrate the "new order" - though they themselves are all now over 50 years old and have been replaced by more modern electric and multiple unit trains on the railways of Britain.

The historic autotrain will also be used, which sees a pannier tank steam locomotive sandwiched between two coaches. 

* To see video of highlights of the railway's last five events go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cYAi5UMTC0

Fringe opens to packed Town Hall

Llangollen Fringe started last night with comedy from Sara Pascoe and a packed Town Hall really enjoyed the show. 

The festival was officially opened by the Mayor, Cllr Mike Adams, and town crier Chem watched by Bob Jaques and Sara Roberts from the Fringe.

Tonight (Friday) it's Babyhead, Radio 6 Music DJ Don Letts and live music from well-known vintage reggae band Talisman.

Sunday we see Juan Martin making his first appearance in Llangollen for eight years. 

He has been voted as one of the top three guitarists in the world and so we are in for a treat of great flamenco music from the virtuoso performer.

Other events:
* High and Mighty at Castell Dinas Bran - storytelling and music.

* Fringe Acoustica at the Rafa club

* Opening of Art Exhibitions at Y Capel at 2.00pm on Saturday