From opera to dance and pantomimes to musicals, Nia James from Moylegrove near Cardigan has done it all. This December she’s the Torch Theatre’s Deputy Stage Manager for its festive pantomime, Rapunzel, and is relishing the challenges that this hair-larious pantomime offers.

Having studied a Masters degree in Stage and Event Management at Cardiff’s Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the former Ysgol y Preseli pupil enjoys working with Welsh companies such as the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.

“The cast and creative team at the Torch are just amazing to work with. Some pantomimes include big names and celebrities, but the Torch welcomes local, professional actors, raw talent, who are all a delight to work with,” said Nia who has returned to the Torch this year as Deputy Stage Manager having worked on Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime as Stage Manager in 2024.

Nia has worked across the UK and was an actress starring in a ‘Mewn Cymeriad’ show based on the novels by T.Llew Jones and ‘Mewn Cyfyng Gyngor’ with Hansh. Then covid hit and Nia had to make some life choices and decided to take up the reins as Stage Manager working with theatre companies such as Theatr na nOg, Music Theatre Wales, London Palladium, Theatr Cymru and the Urdd.

“Being a Deputy Stage Manager is great and most definitely my preferred role. I look after the cast, run rehearsals, sometimes operate the lights and sound, and mainly calling the show’s technical aspects. It’s a lot of fun and you never know how the show will go. Things do go wrong and the actors will include witty jokes. At the end of the day it all depends on audience reaction. Yesterday we welcomed nearly 300 school children who were all very energetic and screaming and today we had a more reserved audience. No two performances are ever the same,” explained Nia.

Rapunzel, the hair-raising adventure can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage from now until Sunday 28 December. Ticket price: £24.50 | £20.00 Cons | £78.00 Family. For further information visit the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.