A theatre is a wonderful magical place that can be completely different spaces in the blink of an eye. This week I have seen that spectacular change with my own eyes at the Gwyn Hall in Neath.
The original Gwyn Hall was built in 1887 on land donated by a local politician Howel Gwyn. It was back in 2007, as the Hall was just coming to the end of a major refurbishment, that it was all but destroyed by fire. For the people of Neath it’s one of those communal memories with people remembering exactly what they were doing when the heard that the Gwyn Hall was on fire or when they first noticed the flames.
Phoenix like the new Gwyn Hall rose from those ashes and reopened in 2012 with brand new state of the art facilities providing Neath with a theatre, cinema as well as rehearsal spaces and a café right in the heart of the town. Over the years I’ve played there a number of times performing my music and I always know I’m going to get a warm welcome and good technical support.
A Sold Out Gwyn Hall Neath with Sir Gareth Edwards
Last Saturday I was the host for a very special evening in the company of Sir Gareth Edwards. By the time I arrived the stage was set with a big screen in place to show some of Sir Gareth’s career highlights. At the front of the stage was a microphone and guitar which the staff had sound checked earlier in the afternoon. Also available were a couple of radio mics for me as host and for Lenny Dee the comedian.
It’s amazing how we take for granted all of these elements. We had a combination of screen, projection, sound, monitors and lights all being set up and controlled in a matter of hours before the audience arrived….and they all worked!!
The evening itself was one I will never forget. Sir Gareth has been an idol for me, well, for all of my life. As well as being possibly ‘the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey’ he is an incredibly humble and generous man. As we stood in the wings he asked me if many people had come. He looked genuinely surprised when I told him it was sold out.
Sir Gareth on his feet…so joined him as Barry John
The evening had so many highlights but none more so than when Sir Gareth described how he would deliver the ball to one of his great partners Barry John. Although we had 2 very comfortable seats Gareth couldn’t sit still as he wanted to illustrate exactly how he would make such a pass. It was then I took on the role of Barry John capturing an imaginary ball passed from the legend himself.
On Thursday night I returned to the Gwyn Hall for a very different evening. I got there nice and early because I had arranged to meet the star of the show for a chat before the show. As well as the theatre and cinema the Gwyn Hall is blessed with ‘The Place’, a café in the main entrance. As my good friend, the concert promoter Ian Parsons lives in Neath we often use the café as a place for our meetings. Ian came along as well to chat about a number of potential future projects with Singer, Composer, DJ and all round nice guy Bright Light Bright Light. Bright LIghtx2 is based in New York but he was born just outsider Neath as Rod Thomas and is back in the UK for a short tour starting in Neath.
Bright Lightx2 (Rod Thomas) in the foyer of the Gwyn Hall
Although we have ‘known’ each other for years I think this was the first time we were meeting in person. Rod had just flown in from America. When I got there he was just finishing his soundcheck. He had a little window for a chat before having to get ready for his concert and the inevitable onslaught of family and friends who were going to descend on the Gwyn Hall at any minute.
I knew we didn’t have a lot of time and I found myself manically trying to ask questions, tell stories, talk about friends in common whilst also making plans for later in the year and getting some photographs in the can as well.
Rod and I have one big thing in common…Sir Elton John. Rod has recorded a number of songs with Elton and also opened for Elton on over 50 occasions. I asked Rod how that collaboration came about, and the story sounded so typically Elton John. Elton had heard some of Rod’s music and asked him for lunch where the other guest was Lulu. The pair hit it off and so started a number of recording collaborations with Elton.
Apparently one day when they were working in the studio Elton was on the phone to his Manager when he turned to Rod and asked if he’d like to open for him on his next tour…in fact why not do them all!! Now that sounds like it could be a one off, but I was told a very similar story by Steve Balsamo. Elton had heard ‘The Storys’ album, rang Steve, told him how much he liked it and offered him the support slot all across Europe.
After our very ‘top secret’ chat Ian took some photos of Rod and me for social media next to Rod’s poster in the Foyer. We then went inside the theatre to do some promotional shots for our ‘top secret’ project.
The stage was the same one as we had had on Saturday for Sir Gareth, but it felt completely different. Whilst the big screen was already in place, centre stage was a beautiful grand piano. Rod is known for his very flamboyant choreographed shows which get the New York Clubs up on their feet but as this was a special homecoming theatre show Rod had decided to play some of his more sensitive songs unplugged. The first half was tender as Rod told stories about the people in the audience whilst remembering those who would have loved to have been there but had sadly passed on.
I think the whole of the audience gasped at the start of Act 2 as Rod bounced on stage as a spangly clad Bright Light, Bright Light. The music was infectious and before long Rod was joined on stage by his 2 dancers.
Then, as if the night couldn’t get any wilder Rod announced he was going to perform one of the songs from his new album which featured Welsh Icon Donna Lewis whose song ‘I love you always forever’ is one of my favourite pop songs of all time. Rod told the audience how he had actually bought that record all those years ago in Woolworths, just across the road from the Gwyn Hall. What’s more as well as being delighted Donna had sung on his record she was actually home in Wales this week and was going to join him on stage…
After singing on Rod’s song he returned the favour when she sang her massive hit record.
As I left I pinched myself. You just never know what you will find if you pay a visit to the Gwyn Hall in Neath!!!