Carys purrs in leading role at Wales Millennium Centre

July 2, 2019

Carys (right) played the role of the cat in Brundibár.

A Monmouth student has played a leading role in a Welsh National Opera (WNO) youth opera production at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Carys, 17, played the role of the cat in Brundibár, an opera by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása and librettist Adolf Hoffmeister.

It was made most famous by performances by the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp in occupied Czechoslovakia during World War Two.

A Sixth Form student at Monmouth School for Girls, Carys said: “Being part of WNO’s Freedom season and playing the role of the cat in Brundibár was one of my best experiences.

“I had the honour to work with Sir David Pountney, WNO Artistic Director, and Tomáš Hanus, WNO Music Director, on this incredibly moving piece.

“The two performances were emotional because of Tomáš’ connection with the opera, as his mother was in the original and one of the few survivors of the concentration camp, Terezin.”

Carys has been a pupil at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools since nursery and is currently studying Music, German and English Literature at A level.

The teenager shone as Cosette in Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools’ sparkling Les Misérables (School Edition) production last year.

And she shared the starring role of Belle in the schools’ Beauty and the Beast musical in March 2016.

Carys has previously toured the Wales Millennium Centre, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Milton Keynes, Plymouth and Llandudno as one of the gingerbread children in WNO’s Hansel and Gretel production.

Carys added: “I am so grateful that I was part of an amazing cast for Brundibár.

“I am thankful for all of the amazing people who helped to put this beautiful production together.

“It was lovely to have my family, friends and teachers in the audience and it is a production that I will always remember.”