Team Torch Head for the County Show

As organisers of the Pembrokeshire County Agricultural Show are busy preparing for the two-day event this week, members of the Torch Team are also in full swing getting ready to meet and greet old and new customers from their stall on the showground.

On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 August, the Torch Theatre stall, located at the Milford Haven Port Authority Marquee (next to the Food Hall) will be a hive activity for children and adults alike. Visitors to the stall can dress up and have their photo taken in the photo booth with props and costumes from previous Torch Theatre productions in front of a sparkly back drop. There will also be a craft activity for the young people to get creative.

Torch Theatre Artistic Director, Chelsey Gillard, said:

“It’s vitally important that the Torch Theatre goes out into the community and attending the Pembrokeshire County Show, the biggest two day show in the county, is a must. It’s a great opportunity to showcase what we do here in the Torch in Milford Haven and to engage in community activities.”

Wednesday and Thursday will also see the official launch of the return of the award-winning original Torch Theatre production ‘Grav’ that will have a welcome limited run at the Torch Theatre this October to celebrate its 200^th show and 10-year anniversary since its first performance. Having toured world-wide, this exciting one-man show is based on the life of rugby player, actor, cultural icon, father, and husband - Ray Gravell. A man with a life packed full of stories that deserve to be heard once more on the stage and on the rugby field.

Chelsey added: “What a way to celebrate the 200^th performance of Grav than here at the Torch Theatre, where it all started 10 years ago. The production has toured the world, and can be seen here where it all started at the Torch from the 9th-11th October with a Gala Night to celebrate the 200^th Performance on Saturday 12.”

The set design competition for young people up to 18 years old will also be launched at the show for the annual festive pantomime – this year Jack and the Beanstalk. 

Somewhere in Cloudland, deep in the heart of the Giant’s castle is a very special room. A room filled with beautiful golden objects. These objects are priceless, covered in the most spectacular patterns, and decorated with jewels and glitter. However, these treasures don’t belong to the Giant they belong to everyone down here on earth, and Jack wants to get them back!

But what on earth are these objects, what shape are they, what are they made of? We need your young people to think about things that are precious to them and design a spectacular special object for Jack to rescue from the Giant! Silly or sensible we want to see them all – could it be a golden toilet brush? A diamond covered X-Box? Or is it an emerald hairdryer? It’s up to you to imagine...

The design pictures could be in any format. They could be made of a collage of images and textures, cutouts from magazines, strips of material, created on the computer or they could be hand drawn – let the young people’s imaginations run wild.  

There are three age categories: Under 5s, 5 – 10 and 11 – 18. A winner will be chosen from each category, and an overall winner will see their design being made into an actual object for the pantomime. All the designs will be displayed in the Torch Theatre’s Joanna Field Gallery space during December. The deadline for entries is Friday 4 October 2024.