Fringe

Friday 11 September

21:30   The Lost Boy

A new opera by Anastasia Bruce-Jones and Jago Thornton

The Lost Boy tells the tragic love story between two teenagers set in a fictional 1980s fishing village, with a score that blends folk, 1980s synthesisers and contemporary classical music.

Harrison is torn between his duty to his recently widowed mother, and his devotion to his childhood sweetheart, John. Harrison’s mother, Mary, grows suspicious of the boy’s relationship, stoked by fears of the emerging AIDS crisis and the whisperings of the villagers. Meanwhile, John yearns to escape to a life of perceived freedom in the city.

When John’s opportunity finally arrives in the form of a scholarship to a London conservatoire, Harrison is confronted with an impossible choice: love or duty? Driven by despair and poor mental health, Harrison chooses the only way out: to drive his boat into a storm and ‘free’ those he loves. This tragedy becomes the basis for an exploration of grief from John and Mary’s perspective: how can we ever let go and move on?

The libretto was written in residence on the south coast of Kent and inspired by the natural coastal environment as well as writers Derek Jarman and Caroline Bergvall. Expect to be immersed in this intimate tale of love and loss.

This performance is the world premiere with two additional performances on 18 September (Brunel Museum, London) and 19 September (Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent). This production is a collaboration between JAM on the Marsh and North Wales International Music Festival, kindly supported by the Hinrichsen Foundation and Vaughan Williams Foundation.

Jago Thornton: Composer / Musical Director
Anastasia Bruce-Jones: Libretto / Director
Soprano: Patricia Auchterlonie
Countertenor: Colin Shay
Baritone: Jonathan Eyers
Cello: Wallis Power
Harp: Olivia Jageurs

Venue: St Asaph Parish Church

Saturday 12 September

21:30   Denuo

Denuo is the project of Welsh musician and songwriter Tom Mason, known for his atmospheric dreampop sound. Originally from Betws-yn-Rhos, Mason records in collaboration with producer Russ Hayes at his studio in Penmaenmawr. Denuo’s 2021 album “Through Life”, inspired by a trip to Japan, explores moments of reflection and discovery through the influence of city pop and Roxy Music’s “Avalon” era.

Latest singles, “Tulips” and “Reminds Me of You”, bring shimmering 80s synth sounds into the mix further, setting the tone for a forthcoming new album. 

Denuo will be performing a solo set at the Fringe event.

Venue: The New Inn, St Asaph

Fringe events at The New Inn (Lower Denbigh Road, St Asaph) are free. No booking is required. Parking is free and to the side of the Inn. The New Inn is an intimate setting offering real ale and other beverages. More information and where to find the New Inn is here - https://www.jwlees.co.uk/venue/new-inn
https://www.facebook.com/NewInn13

Wednesday 16 September

20:00   Open Mic Night - Nant y Felin Restaurant & Bar, Llanrhaeadr

Start your night with a delicious meal before the music kicks off at 8pm. Then stick around from 8:30pm as local talent takes the stage for a relaxed plug-and-play session. Whether you’re a musician ready to jam or just in the mood for great food and live music, we’d love to have you. Anyone is welcome and we have a house guitar and piano for people to play if they’d like.

https://nantyfelin.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100059273300359

Thursday 17 September

21:30   Panedeni

A cross-cultural ensemble whose name blends the Welsh word paned (a cup of tea) with Adeni tea from Yemen – a celebration of shared culture and bringing people together.

Based in North Wales, fronted by vocalist and composer Yasmine Latkowski, the group blends Arabic and Welsh music to create a distinctive folk-fusion sound, bringing lived experiences to the forefront of their musical performances. 

Their recent EP, Atamanaa (19 June 2026, Sionci / Tŷ Cerdd), expands Panedeni’s cross cultural sound, featuring collaborations with Sion Rickard and Ayoub Boukhalfa, including Arabic and Welsh folk instrumentation; oud, guitar, violin, clarinet, flutes, Egyptian percussion, bass, and vocals. Sung in four languages, the music creates a vibrant, multicultural mix of original music and reimagined folk styles, from belly dance rhythms to Welsh border pipes.

Panedeni’s music is rooted in inclusivity and celebrating diversity through music and collaboration, creating work that brings together distinct musical heritages while celebrating shared creativity, (which has been seen at Llangollen’s International Eisteddfod and alongside Akram Abdul Fattah and Jali Bakary at Wrexfest and the Llangollen Fringe Festival).

Venue: The New Inn, St Asaph

Fringe events at The New Inn (Lower Denbigh Road, St Asaph) are free. No booking is required. Parking is free and to the side of the Inn. The New Inn is an intimate setting offering real ale and other beverages. More information and where to find the New Inn is here - https://www.jwlees.co.uk/venue/new-inn
https://www.facebook.com/NewInn13

Friday 18 September

13:00   Festival Talk: Mario in the Mist

Mario Kreft MBE in an illustrated conversation with Paul Mealor

Mario was born in Durban, in South Africa, the son of Slovenian circus lion and bear tamer Franz Kreft and his Rhyl-born wife, Pamela. He always had a love of animals as a result and in the Seventies was inspired by David Attenborough’s filming with gorillas and that was when he first thought that he really had to go and see these wonderful creatures.

Mario will talk about the circus and the animals including the bears and lions because his dad had a great affinity with them and was very kind to them, but the world was very different then.

In the last 20 years Mario and his wife Gill have had marvellous opportunities to visit Africa many times, including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and have met gorillas including the rare Western Lowland Gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We’ve had some wonderful experiences – when you look into a gorilla’s eyes they say you can see your soul and there’s certainly something magical about being within a few feet of these fantastic creatures. They are a lot like us in many ways – they live in small family groups and when you see them in the wild they are so like humans. The mountain gorillas are very famous through the work of Dian Fossey and the film of her life Gorillas in the Mist.”

Mario and Gill’s Africa trips inspired Pendine Park garden team member and chainsaw artist Paul Morris. He created the sculpture of the gorilla that will be on display in the Parish Church from a dead maple tree from Pendine’s extensive gardens in Wrexham, while he used the trunk of a sycamore tree that had been blown down to make the huge grizzly bear that will loom large in the South Transept of the Cathedral during the festival.

Venue: St Asaph Parish Church

Friday 18 September

14:30   Film: “Echoes of St Asaph”

“Echoes of St Asaph” is the latest in a series of historical documentaries produced by North Wales Filmmakers, celebrating the rich heritage of communities across North Wales. This fascinating film explores the history of St Asaph Cathedral and the remarkable people whose lives have shaped this historic and cultural heart of the city. Discover the enduring legacy of Bishop William Morgan, whose translation of the Bible into Welsh helped preserve the Welsh language for future generations.

Uncover the surprising connection between St Asaph and the famous First World War song, “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag”, and meet the extraordinary Dic Aberdaron, the self-taught Welsh polyglot whose linguistic genius astonished all who knew him. The film also reveals the intriguing story of Violet Charlesworth, the notorious “St Asaph Swindler”, together with many other captivating stories that bring the city’s remarkable past vividly to life. “Echoes of St Asaph” is an engaging journey through history that will surprise, entertain and inspire anyone with an interest in Wales and its rich cultural heritage.

Venue: St Asaph Parish Church

Friday 18 September

16:30   Professor Menna Elfyn

Poetry event with the award winning Welsh poet and playwright.

Menna Elfyn is Professor Emerita University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. This year she will be celebrating fifty years of publishing her poetry since Mwyara in 1976, and this autumn, Carco, a selected volume of 18 collections will be published by Barddas. Her many awards include the Arts Council of Wales ‘Book of the year’ in 1990, Aderyn Bach Mewn Llaw (A Bird in Hand). Following her dual text publications in Welsh/ English, her collection Murmur was awarded Poetry Book Society Recommended in 2012, the first ever volume chosen of a Welsh/ English poet. She won the European Anima Intranza for her contribution to poetry in Olbia, Sardinia as well as a Chomoldeley Award, Society of Authors, in recognition of her lifetime Welsh/ English work. She was also made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2015. In 2025, Parch, (Reverence) Bloodaxe Books was published, this time a volume of translations and new poems. 

She has published many books for children and she was the first female Bardd Plant/ Poet Laureate of Wales in 2002. She has travelled the world for Festivals and residencies in America. In 1998/9 she wrote a libretto, a Choral Symphony for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, performed at the Lincoln Centre. She has also written a number of works for Welsh National Opera and other companies. Other works include plays for radio, stage and television. Her latest writing commission was ‘Angerdd a Gerdd’, (Passion & Song/ Walk) for Paul Mealor’s new work, performed at the National Eisteddfod/ Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru in August 2026.

Her poetry has been translated into over twenty languages, the latest of which is in three languages: Arabic, Welsh and English, ‘Let The World’s People Sing’, H’mm Foundation, 2025.

She is also Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, Aberystwyth University, and Honorary President of Wales PEN Cymru.

Venue: St Asaph Parish Church

Friday 18 September

21:30 The Lighted Stage Songwriter Showcase, hosted by Jude Lane, with guests Vin Murtagh and Steve Croft.

Join Jude Lane with guests, Vin Murtagh and Steve Croft, for a Lighted Stage Songwriter Showcase evening. They will play their original songs and share some of their inspirations, including storytelling, traditional folk music and the Mod Revival. 

A free event at The Barrow, High Street, St. Asaph on Friday 18th September from 9.30pm - 11pm, following the regular monthly Songwriter Sessions meeting, which starts at 7.30pm. 

All welcome to join us for the whole evening or to arrive for the performance at 9.30.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBarrowStAsaph
https://www.facebook.com/TheLightedStage

Venue: The Barrow, St Asaph

Friday 18 September

21:30   North Wales Comedy Night with Caryl Burke, Gethin Evans & Arwel Phillips

Venue: The New Inn, St Asaph

Fringe events at The New Inn (Lower Denbigh Road, St Asaph) are free. No booking is required. Parking is free and to the side of the Inn. The New Inn is an intimate setting offering real ale and other beverages. More information and where to find the New Inn is here - https://www.jwlees.co.uk/venue/new-inn
https://www.facebook.com/NewInn13