From Broad Haven and Little Haven, to Druidstone, Newgale and St David’s, the Pembrokeshire coastline, its fish, lighthouses, puffins and marine life are in abundance in Torch Theatre’s festive pantomime, Rapunzel, that can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage this month.

The guardian of the Cleddau, Periwinkle (played by Eifion ap Cadno), is friends with all sea creatures and takes pride in the marine life that surrounds him, including the supernatural seaweed, created by the sun and the saltwater near Rapunzel’s lighthouse.

The seaweed plays an integral part in the pantomime and makes Rapunzel’s hair grow long, very, very long and strong. The seaweed in the pantomime takes away pain and cures any illness and it was this seaweed that was used to save Rapunzel’s life when she became very unwell. But there’s just one tiny little problem! It was guarded fiercely by a terrifying sea witch… Mother Gothel!

“Her parents knew what they needed to do, they had heard the tales of the underwater ointment, the magical medicine, the life giving leaves of the seaweed! So they did what any loving parent would have done and they dived deep, deep down into the sea to collect some of the magical seaweed to save their daughter,” explained Chelsey Gillard, Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director.

But the seaweed isn’t only beneficial to Rapunzel on the Torch stage, it also benefits everyone in society as Ellen Picton, Registered Nutritionist at Healthaspire in Milford Haven explains:

“Seaweed really is a superfood, and we are so lucky to have an abundance of it here in our county. Seaweed can support thyroid health due to its iodine content, it improves gut health with fibre and prebiotics, it promotes heart health by helping lower cholesterol and blood pressure and provides essential vitamins and minerals like A, C, E, K, B12, iron, and calcium.”

Its popularity is growing here in Pembrokeshire not only on our plates but on the soil as Câr y Môr who grow seaweed and shellfish on their sea farms, using methods that promote biodiversity without the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides or freshwater explains:

“This isn’t new - generations before us fished locally and spread seaweed on fields to nourish the land. We’re continuing those traditions, with a few modern updates, to leave the Welsh seas and soils healthier and put nutritious local food back on our tables.

“We are advancing a regenerative model where sea farming improves biodiversity and creates additional income streams for fishermen. Using seaweed products on land, we hope to reduce agrochemical reliance and integrate with sustainable land farming to improve soil health,” said a Câr y Môr spokesperson.

Rapunzel, the hair-raising adventure can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage now until Sunday 28 December. BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday 16 December at 6pm. Ticket price: £24.50 | £20.00 Cons | £78.00 Family. For further information visit the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk / phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267 or click here,