About Us

CAST Performance Academy (formerly CAST Theatre Company) began in February 2013. Bethan and Ffion have been performers from a young age and wanted to create their own performance group that really encapsulated their love of Musical Theatre and Drama. The idea was a simple one; to bring together people of all ages, no matter their background or what performance experience they had. The name, C.A.S.T. was born, which stands for Children & Adults Starring Together.

The classes began in The Star Club near Trelewis and CAST performed their first two shows there, including their first pantomime, Snow White and the Seven (And a Half...) Dwarves. The group grew and a 'Mini CAST' section was also started for children aged 3 to 6 years old.

CAST then moved their performances to Redhouse Cymru based in Merthyr Tydfil town centre. This newly refurbished theatre, performance space and public building was perfect for CAST and several shows were staged there, including CAST's first full length musical, Annie. Some of the shows included Mulan Jr., Aladdin Jr., Cinderella and Rapunzel.

CAST diversified and also set up another class which focused on drama pieces. These classes focused more on more mature content and staged shows such as Family Planning by Frank Vickery and the Welsh Amateur Premiere of One Man, Two Guvnors.

Bethan and Ffion were then asked to take over the running of the Redhouse Performance Academy and stage their production of The Wizard of Oz. The decision was then made to amalgamate the two groups and the new name, CAST Performance Academy was born. The group is now based in the Redhouse building and classes take place on a Saturday morning. Since The Wizard of Oz, the Academy has staged High School Musical Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr. and several concerts including one with celebrated West End performer, Peter Karrie.

The children of the Academy have also had the opportunity to perform in several pantomimes alongside a cast of professional performers. These have included Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast (performed at Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil and The Phoenix Theatre, Ton Pentre) and a revivial of Snow White and the Seven (and a Half...) Dwarves which performed for four weeks at Theatr Soar, The Phoenix Theatre, The Beaufort Theatre near Ebbw Vale and Royal Cwmaman Hall near Aberdare.

Currently CAST run several classes including the main Academy class and Mini CAST which is for children between 3 and 6 years old, which both take place on a Saturday morning at Redhouse. There is a class on Monday evening suitable for teenagers to adults of all ages. CAST will be launching several new weekday classes soon, all at Redhouse Cymru. Get in touch today to find out more!