I am ashamed to say until today, I had never stepped foot in Cardiff’s New Theatre and instead had been a loyal Wales Millennium Centre fan. So when given the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Cardiff’s New Theatre for their Christmas pantomime starring Gethin Jones and Owain Wyn Evans, I was very excited to see what it was like.
Nowadays it might be possible to think that the magic of the theatre no longer exists, with streaming and staying in becoming very popular, but in that respect, you would be wrong. Going behind the scenes showed me that in these hallowed walls, which have seen stars, dancers, seamstresses and directors alike frantically running down them the magic still very much remains.
This Edwardian theatre, which has been standing and open to the public since 1906, is exactly like how you would picture what the backstage of a theatre is like. It is slightly old and dated and full of twisting and winding corridors, that all look the same, with staircases appearing out of nowhere, creating the labyrinth that is the backstage.
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I chatted to the cast -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
The dressing rooms, also just like you would imagine, are explosions of life with everything from makeup, costumes, flowers, tea, coffees, and snacks, including bananas and chocolate visible everywhere. Many cast members dart in and out of each other’s dressing rooms with Gethin, Owain and Cardiff theatre legend Mike Doyle, all cosily sat chatting with their dance captain Sinéad Courtney.
There was a strong sense of community and friendship amongst the cast who clearly all genuinely enjoyed being in each other’s company. There was a real buzz in the air, we arrived an hour before showtime, as last-minute rehearsals finished and the set began to take shape.
The corridors are a maze -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
Everywhere there was something to look at and the smell of perfume, deodorant and hairspray was thick in the twisty corridors. There were people moving around constantly and although it might seem slightly chaotic, it is clearly a well-oiled machine that ran of excitement. Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What’s On newsletter here.
One of the moments where it really hit me that this is a busy working theatre is when, just minutes before the show began, we popped down to the pits, to see the band, and I looked up to see the whole theatre, which was packed with the audience by then, towering above me.
Looking up from the pits was a little bit terrifying -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
It actually made my stomach flip, in oh my gosh that is so many people and they’ve all paid to see this show and that is actually a little bit of pressure, kinda way that had me grateful I was retreating back behind the curtain and not performing on the stage. Watching from the wings during the first act and after chatting with Gethin and Mike it was clear to see they all have a love for the theatre, especially Mike.
They are fuelled by passion, love and excitement which is tangible in the air. After my experience backstage the magic of the theatre was truly restored in me and I feel honoured to have had a sneak peek into that world. Cinderella is running at the New Theatre until Sunday, January 5.