St David’s Day Singing

I know it is St. Patricks Day when I write this, but I’m looking back at my time celebrating St. David’s Day a couple of weeks ago; they were both Welsh after all…

I spent my St. David’s Day weekend celebrating with Choirs For Good, leading choirs and even getting up and playing my guitar too.

We talked about celebrating national days – in a different context yes – on Healthy Minds, Better Lives on Pure West Radio and I do like having the excuse to celebrate and be reminded of the people around us.

On Friday 1st I had a double gig day with Choirs For Good, one with Haverfordwest in Narberth and the other with Swansea in Rhossilli. I’d stay in Rhossili for a Saturday morning concert too!

Narberth was a lovely free community event and litter pick, Cawl Mawr in the Queens Hall in Narberth. Haverfordwest is predominantly made up of working age people so the 1pm start meant a turnout of 6 choristers. Narberth primary school sang some lovely tunes and we went on and strutted our stuff for a little while. It was such a wholesome event and a great chance to catch up with those in Narberth and the Queens Hall. A lovely event!

Tom with some of the members of Choirs For Good Haverfordwest

From Narberth, straight into the car to Rhossili, which as I found out the week prior on a dog walk, is miles away! We were excited though as we were being put up overnight in an Air BnB – lush!

The event in Rhossili was taking place in the Bunkhouse, a lovely community space to celebrate St David’s Day with cawl and Choirs For Good Swansea providing the entertainment with a few songs from yours truly.

Choirs For Good Swansea are a great bunch. One of the members helped organise the event, bunting on the ceiling, glasses ready on the table and the choir in a green room waiting to perform. A far larger choir than earlier in the day and a wonderful sound. Not for the last time that weekend with a gig in Swansea Indoor Market to follow the following day… early the following day.

I hadn’t picked up my guitar since a few days before Christmas but the ask was well timed and I thought, why not? I dusted off Pencil Full of Lead, You’re Welcome and When You Say Nothing At All, but I was missing something Welsh for St. David’s Day. It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones was what I landed on and so with 20 minutes to go before heading out to the gig I taught myself to play it… Not bad!

Choirs For Good Swansea warming up for their St David’s Day Gig

After tucking into the most delicious cawl and getting a rousing reception it was home to bed ready for an early start to sing with Choirs For Good Swansea one more time – this time in the Swansea Indoor Market. I lived in Swansea for 3 years and not once did I venture into the Indoor Market; I was missing out! It’s great in there and I treated myself to a Gyros for lunch after the performance.

We had mostly the same faces line up in the Market Garden with a few substitutes to and we had a blast performing for the shoppers and those enjoying a coffee. Had some lovely feedback from the organisers who had also booked other choirs to perform throughout the day and a storyteller who was very engaging.

There is nothing like a choir to make you feel part of an event and although I am incredibly biased, we brought the event to Swansea Indoor Market. I loved it. The snaps below courtesy of the Market.

Tom talks to the audience
Choirs For Good Swansea in Swansea Indoor Market

I enjoyed my St David’s Day celebration weekend and was made to feel so welcome by everyone I crossed paths with.

If you want to be part of a choir family, you can find your nearest here!

Remember Patrick? He’s Award Winning

If you read my blog post, embarrassingly way back in January, you will know that my portrayal of Patrick, in Ladies Day was nominated for a Glammie Award.

I’m always pleased with a nomination, but it’s not why I do these performances. I do these performances because I love telling stories. I loved telling Patrick’s story. One scene to open Act 2 with Linda, played by the excellent Becky Thompson including a monologue to the audience, interaction with Linda and an intense retelling of the wonder years with a chair.

There was so much depth to Patrick. He’d been there, been a champion, and now just on the road because what else could he do.

It was heartfelt, it was warm, it was verging on desperation. And I loved it.

I thanked Sally, the Director, for giving me the role and also, Becky, my scene partner for the nomination and I extend that thanks again. But also to everyone who I have crossed paths with. A little bit of all goes into my performances and I’m so grateful. Special thanks to Conor Hanley and Hannah McKimm too for their inspiration behind my now, Award Winning Irish Accent…

Super proud of Sally as the show also picked up the Moderators Award too!

I had to withdraw from other roles this year due to other commitments but watch this space, I’m never too long off a stage.

Glammie Nomination – Patrick

Absolutely thrilled to be nominated again for a Glammie for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for my portrayal of Patrick in Penarth Operatic & Dramatic Society production of Ladies Day!

Thank you Sally for giving me the opportunity and to Becky for being the best scene partner.

I loved playing Patrick and was so humbled by the moderators comments. Thank you.

Well done to everyone who has been nominated – the theatre scene is strong and rich in talent. Proud to be a part of it.