Big films, live theatre, comedy and community events — there’s plenty happening at Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre this week.
Whether you’re after a night at the cinema, live music, or something a bit different, here’s what’s coming up.
Cinema
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (12A)
29 May – 11 June
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian
Madfabulous (12A)
Friday 5 – Thursday 18 June
In the 1890s, flamboyant Henry Paget arrives on Anglesey, North Wales, to claim his inheritance as the Fifth Marquess. Alongside his spirited cousin Lily and loyal butler Gelert, Henry’s theatrical eccentricities charm the locals but scandalise the elite. As he fights to carve out a unique identity, he must navigate stifling traditions, greedy relatives, and his late father’s cold legacy.
Backrooms (15)
Friday 12-Thursday 18 June
A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom. Directed by Kane Parsons, this A24 film brings the viral “Backrooms” story to the big screen, transforming internet legend into an unnerving cinematic journey.
KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along (PG)
Saturday 13 June, 1.30pm
A one-off screening of KPop Demon Hunters: A Singalong Event (PG)! Sing your heart out with HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys in this special musical experience.
Shrek 25th Anniversary (U)
Saturday 13-Sunday 14 June
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Shrek returns to the big screen. When Shrek’s swamp is overrun by fairytale creatures, he strikes a deal with Lord Farquaad: rescue Princess Fiona, and win back his home. Alongside Donkey, Shrek’s quest leads to unexpected friendship, romance, and a surprising secret.
David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (PG)
Sunday 14 June, 2.30pm
A powerful portrait of life on Earth from Sir David Attenborough, drawing on over 90 years of exploring every continent and documenting the natural world in all its beauty and fragility. The film confronts the greatest challenges facing our planet while offering a hopeful vision for the future. Join us for a special screening celebrating David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.
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Theatr Bryn Terfel
Matsena: BOY-ISH
Sunday 7 June, 5pm
by Rhys Warrington, together with Anthony Matsena and Kel Matsena
Four young men break into their old school one night to drink, chat and go back to a time when they were inseparable. Back to the jokes and games they shared as kids. To the silly fun and the careless cruelty. To the hopes and dreams that warped and changed over the years as they became the men they are today.
BOY-ISH is a new play from the BAFTA Cymru-winning Matsena brothers and acclaimed Welsh playwright Rhys Warrington. Told through music, movement and gripping drama, it shows the impact that mates and spaces have in shaping men’ s identities. How trying to change looks like betrayal and staying the same looks like failure. How feelings are something you’re taught to ignore or deflect, until the moment you can’t.
Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales 14+
Ballet Cymru: Sleeping Beauty
Friday 12 June, 7.30pm
Saturday 13 June, 3pm (Relaxed performance)
Journey to an enchanted world of love, magic and destiny
Ballet Cymru reimagine the classic fairy tale of a young princess spellbound by a curse.
Touching on the themes of love, acceptance and what it means to be different, the ballet is swept along by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.
Sleeping Beauty features innovative choreography, exceptional dancing, distinctive costumes and immersive projections.
Come into the woods, to celebrate Ballet Cymru’s 40th Anniversary, and see the breathtaking dancers take you on a journey like no other.
Featuring pre recorded audio description in Welsh and English.
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Studio Theatre
Lighthouse Theatre: White Lies
Tuesday 9 June, 7.30pm
The Welsh premiere of White Lies by Robert Shearman
Claire and Simon have been married for years. There is more to life than duck a l’orange…Enter Roger. An imaginary friend to spice up their relationship….with unexpected consequences.
This razor-sharp observational comedy is written by award-winning Dr. Who script-writer Robert Shearman, and deals with sensitive contemporary issues from identity to loneliness in a compassionate, supportive and funny manner.
The theatre company which brought you Shirley Valentine, It’s A Wonderful Life and Casablanca bring their theatrical style to a modern gem.
Presented with Pontardawe Arts Centre and Arts Council Wales
Dewin a Doti
Thursday 11 June | 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm
Dewin and Doti are off to the farm on an adventure!
Come on a journey across Wales with Dewin, Doti and their new friend – the Welsh Whisperer! A Welsh language production, suitable for new Welsh speakers.
0 – 7 oed
Rising Tide: Wales One World Choir
Saturday 13 June, 7pm
An innovative, immersive piece combining song, dance and spoken word to celebrate the voices, cultures and stories of people seeking sanctuary.
Directed by multi-disciplinary Ffion Campbell-Davies
Also sharing new work created by Ayoub Boukhalfa – featuring Moroccan Gnawa Master – Mohamed Errebbaa
WORKSHOP
Rising Tide: Workshop / Song Sharing
Studio
Saturday 13 June, 3-4pm
Free but ticketed
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Events for the Community
Lunch on the Fly
This is a fun session in which you can have a go at vertical dance. Starting with an easy warm up, you will then try to stand on and jump off a vertical floor using waist harnesses. You will be guided through some simple positions, and then you will fly!
Wear comfortable clothing with snug layers around waist and top of legs.
Age: 16+
Limited capacity – space for 12 people only.
No experience necessary
Sundays 12.30pm – 1.30pm
14 June
5 July
Harness Class
This harness session is for those with some experience of vertical dance or a developed physical practice. This session focuses on conditioning exercises specific for Vertical Dance and creative techniques to further the practice.
For those with a developed physical practice.
Sundays 1.45pm – 3.15pm
14 June
5 July
Dance Class
An open level dance class for all. A session focused on creativity, physicality and fluidity of the dancing body. We will explore creative and improvisation tasks with some elements of choreography.
No experience necessary
Sundays 3.30pm – 5pm
14 June
5 July
Dance for Parkinson’s – weekly sessions on Tuesday
Tuesdays, 1.30pm-3pm
National Dance Company Wales is excited to launch new Dance for Parkinson’s classes in Bangor!
Dance for Parkinson’s classes are fun and informal.
Dance has been proven to develop confidence and strength, whilst temporarily relieving some participants of symptoms in everyday life. Classes are creative and promote feelings of freedom from the physical and social constraints of having Parkinson’s.
We are an Affiliated hub of English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s programme.
Classes are 90 minutes long, and all you’ll need is a chair.
English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s programme has been running since 2008. We are proud to be part of the Dance for PD membership, to support Dance for Parkinson’s Partnership and People Dancing and to have an affiliation with Parkinson’s UK. ENB’s national Dance for Parkinson’s programme enjoys close links with Parkinson’s UK and the European Parkinson’s Disease Association EPDA.
Caffi Babis – first Friday of the month
Siwan Llynor and Angharad Harrop
Caffi Babis is a new session that we offer for new parents and their babies.
This is a creatvie hour with Siwan Llynor and Angharad Harrop that gives new parents the opportunity to meet other parents, as well as to relax with your baby for a while. An hour to bring parents together, in a safe space. Eeach session will last around 45 minutes, with the opportunity to have a chat afterwards.
The session is most suitable for children up to 24 months, however, older children are welcome to join.
Only one ticket required for adult and child
