Busy Recording Week

 Hi Swantv Viewer

It has been a very busy week here at SwanTV. 

Sunday saw us at the rehearsals for Kipps, the Musical Theatre production that will be live at the Taliensin Theatre on the Swansea University, Singleton campus. This is being produced by the Cockett Amateur Operatic Society and is a far cry from the original Gilbert & Sullivan productions that they first produced. It was a vibrant lively morning with a very enthusiastic cast and we filmed some song and dance clips and short interviews. Live theatre died over the COVID pandemic when we all isolated and probably watched too much TV. 

It's time to get back into live theatre. It will support the theatres remaining open, it will support full-time actors, writers directors and producers, costume and set makers and all of those wonderfully talented people amateurs who want to perform on stage to make you laugh, cry and experience a full range of emotions. If you've not been to a live theatre show then I would highly recommend you give it a try. It can't be compared to a TV production of a show, like you can't really compare watching a sports match on TV or at the stadium, you don't quite get the excitement and thrill sitting on a sofa watching a screen.

Kipps is a re-write of the musical Half a Sixpence, which was on the London West End Stage in the early sixties. I guess younger viewers may not even know Tommy Steele but I remember seeing the show at the Cambridge theatre. And that musical was based on the book Kipps by H. G. Wells 150 years ago. He wrote War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, both which have been made into films and on TV. 

Monday evening we were at Matthew House in the High Street, the Church opposite the railways station to record the choir. The choir is a real mix of singers from all backgrounds who enjoy being together socially and also singing as a group. If you would like to try a session or join up then drop by the church where there will be someone to give you details and welcome you. 

Tuesday came around, St Valentine's Day and we met Capt Beany from Port Talbot in his colourful orange suit, tie and shoes. He shouted his way along the railway station platform and into town where he greeted people and presented them with orange roses. He certainly brightened up the day for some shoppers. Watch out for Capt Beany in future as he becomes a regular on SwanTV.

After a busy morning following Capt Beany it was time to walk to the Golden Bridge over Oystermouth Road where I met Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council. We went into the Arena and had a conversation in the auditorium about the regeneration of the city and the new projects recently completed or currently being build. The interview will be on the SwanTV website very soon. Watch out for it. And any comments will be welcome. I do think that Swansea has dramatically changed for the better in recent years and is a good place to live. You can be on the beach or in the countryside within 10 minutes from the city centre.

Wednesday started early preparing the studio where we were recording our first chat show. Our line up included Paul Evans the Safety Co-oprdination Officer for Swansea Council talking about how safe the city is now, in fact one of the safest cities in the UK. He spoke about the Purple Flag that Swansea achieved in previous years and which is up for re-assessment later this month. Later on Wednesday we filmed in Wind Street as you will read later.

Also on the show we had Capt Beany talking about his Valentine Day esacapade which will be included in the programme. He told us about the Eccentric Club in London and his award. He certainly is eccentric and this has probably helped him as he has constantly raised money for different charities around the area. 

And Finally we had cast members and the Assistant Director and Choreographer, Julie Hemmings, from Kipps the musical who talked anout their experiences and how the show is being prepared. We were fortunate in having Ashton Williams who plays Kipps, Natalie Edwards who plays Ann Pornick and Suzy Hambridge playing Helen Walsingham.   

I feel the show was a success and we are now editing it ready to be on the website in a day or two. This is our pilot show and I expected there to be some clitches but I feel you will find it a most enjoyable programme. We are looking for a name for the show that connects Swansea and a chat show. If you have an idea please send to ask@swantv.com.

Wendnesday Evening saw s in Wind Street talking to representatives of various agencies and groups who are concerned in making the night economy welcoming and safe, including doormen, taxi marshalls, the police, St Johns Ambulance, Bid, the landlords forum, rangers and the CCTV operators. All explaining what they do to make an evening in Swansea enjoyable and trouble free. Watch out for this film, soon on our SwanTV site.

And that rounds up the filming we have done. There were several hours work and now the editing is being carried out, and this is time consuming. So please bear with us for all of these programmes to be aired.

Thanks for reading this post. Keep watch SwnTV and do tell your friends. The app is available and is "swantv" one word. THis gives you the best smartphone experience and it is free.

 Regards

 

Mike Leahy, Direcor Swantv

The Swansea Community

 Hi Swantv Viewers.

Now its the beginning of December and Christmas is fast approaching. And for many this will be a time of reflection, reflecting on the past couple of years, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the crazy changes in government and shifting policies to bring the nation back on course again after the enormous spend out on furloughing, gas and electricity subsidies,

businesses that are floundering because of the loss of business over recent months, cost of utilities, staff shortages, stock shortages, raw material price increases, online sales competition, rent increases, to name a few obstacles.

We visited Swansea Market and talked to several traders so take a look at the video on www.swantv.com. Turkeys, the key to a good Christmas dinner for most of us but this year the bird flu has decimated the flocks. Turkey is still available but at a high price. But there are alternatives so maybe you want to be creative. Often there are about a dozen of us sitting down on Christmas Day and 3 are vegetarians so we have to have a selection. In Swansea market we saw the usual poultry plus game. There is a wide variety of cut meats, pork pies, lava bread and cockles for a true Welsh Xmas Day breakfast, local honey, marmalades and

lemoncurd, and more. watch the video. Support the local traders not just in the market but on the street too: if we don't support them during this time we might lose them. Amazon has become the choice for many but don't neglect those shops and stalls who have given such good service over the years. Loyalty seems to be slipping away and I think that's bad. 

Loss of loyalty started with the banks and insurance companies who gave new customers better terms than existing ones whom often found premiums hiked up. I feel we must look after each other now, and not just shops and their customers but in general. I read that something like 80% of bystanders will do nothing if they see someone attacked in the street or have an accident, collapse or are crying. I understand some may feel it isn't safe to take action, whilst others don't give a damn. Just think if it was you and nobody came to help you!!

So lets be loyal to local shops and businesses where we can. Lets look after each other like we used to do. Lets bring the Christmas spirit to life during December and on into the New Year. And Christmas is going to be tough for many so start talking to your elderly neighbours now, not on December 24th. Smile at others, smiles are infectious and your smile today might not just make someone feel better but they might smile at someone else and soon your single smile is echoing around the city . . . or further. And if you are struggling go to our website where there is plenty of help, no matter what your problem might be. Talk about it. click on the link here. 

Don't get stressed or anxious about Christmas preparations. It should be a time for families to be together, pulling together, sharing together.

 Mike Leahy  SwanTV