Cardiff Life

Theatre

Snow Queen
Sherman Cymru presents a new Charles Way adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson classic, Snow Queen. The Snow Queen casts an evil spell over Ceri and plans to freeze the hearts of all living things. Will Ceri’s childhood friend, Gerda, be able to save the day? (until 10 Jan) 02920 646900

Swan Lake
Grown-up and passionate ballet set against Tchaikovsky’s romantic score – see Swan Lake at St David’s Hall (until 3 Jan 2009). www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

6 JANUARY
West Side Story
Fifty years after the show made its London debut, Joey McKneely’s vibrant new stage production of the classical dance musical arrives at WMC after wild critical acclaim in Tokyo, Paris and Beijing (until 17 Jan 2009); 08700 402000

14 JANUARY
Script Slam
Four new ten-minute plays will be performed script-in-hand by professional actors. Following each play, a panel of industry experts – writers, actors and directors – will be on hand to offer their feedback. The audience will then get to vote for their favourite. A fun, relaxed and rough-around -the-edges evening of new writing and entertainment. Sherman Cymru; 02920 646900

15 JANUARY
The Bells of Shoreditch
Follow Paul on his journey through London with the loneliest people he can find (until 16 JANUARY). Sherman Cymru; 02920 646900

Beyond the Barricade
The UK’s leading musical theatre concert, Beyond the Barricade is returning with a special 10th Anniversary Show. Recreating the songs, music and sound of the world’s most popular musicals, this brand new production features the best of Beyond the Barricade over the last 10 years. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444

18 JANUARY
uDO Welsh High School Street Dance Championship Finale
More than 80 teams from high schools across the whole of Wales will perform street dance routines to try and impress the judges to win their school the use of a brand new mini bus. Every ticket purchased will raise £1 for Cancer Research Wales. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444 21 JANUARY

Oedipus
Black RAT Productions performs Sophocles’ classic. Adapted and directed by Richard Tunley, the play tells the tale of a murder that has been committed – the gods need to be appeased. A ‘Whodunit’ of classic proportions, Oedipus remains the ‘finest tragedy ever written’. www.thegate.org.uk

21 JANUARY
Calamity Jane
Llandaff Musical Society returns to Sherman with the blockbustin’ musical Calamity Jane. The ever-popular show, made famous by Doris Day in the film version in 1954, tells the story of Calamity Jane, her salon and her romance with Wild Bill Hickock (until 24 Jan). Sherman Cymru; 02920 646900

Scottish Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
A truly spellbinding tale. The Sleeping Beauty features Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score and is performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra (until 24 Jan). WMC; 08700 402000

22 JANUARY
Yr Argae
A Welsh translation by Wil Sam, in his own affable, inimitable style, of an eerie tale that explores those momentous events which define the individual and the small, shared experiences that weave us together (until 24 Jan). Sherman Cymru; 02920 646900

Mr and Mrs Clark – Cabba Hey
Mr and Mrs Clark present a ‘JANUARY Blues’ to exorcise the festive spirit and damn any misgivings for the new year. A surreal selection of song, dance and theatrics celebrating the darker side of Christmas period (until 24 Jan). Chapter; www.chapter.org

Bitter Suite
Diversions are back with innovative and entertaining international dance (until 23 Jan). WMC; 08700 402000

23 JANUARY
Anton and Erin – Cheek to Cheek
If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket you can join Anton du Beke and Erin Boag from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in a glamorous celebration of ballroom and Latin song and dance. St David’s Hall; 02920 878444.

Camino Real
Written in 1952, Camino Real was Tennessee Williams’ first poetic ‘dreamplay’, a direct artistic response to his more realistic works for theatre. In this new adaptation, created with students from the University of Glamorgan, choreographer and theatre director Sean Tuan John deconstructs the boundaries between naturalistic acting and caricature, exploring the separation between actor and performer, self and character (until 24 Jan). Chapter Arts Centre; 01443 668531

27 JANUARY
3 Men running
Three dancers from three different cultures are joined together by a strong, common experience: the recent death of their fathers. Given their fathers’ common love of gardening, the three dancers have created a space within space using simple elements of artificial turf. The choreography, objects and video fragments create an emotional landscape taking the audience on a journey into their own memories. Sherman Cymru; 02920 646900

27 JANUARY
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
From the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, which inspired the films Dangerous Liaisons and Cruel Intentions, the play is set amongst the decadent aristocracy of late 18th-century France. This is a story about sexual manners, lust and revenge (until 31 Jan). Sherman Cymru; 02920 646900