The Festival’s diversity was illustrated when the award-winning Tenby players presented two hilarious comedies in”‘Deckchairs” and “Last Tango in Tenb”. A more sophisticated approach to humour was presented by Susan Flannery and Michael Lunts with a cocktail of witty song and comic verse in” Wits’ End”, after returning to Tenby by popular demand. In place of Fluellen Theatre’s”‘Wild Wales”, which unfortunately had to be cancelled because of ill health, the harpist Delyth Jenkins charmed those who stayed on in the De Valence with a musical tour of ‘Celtica’.
In addition to all of that there was a four choirs festival within the Festival. The celebrated Morriston Orpheus Choir, under their new Musical Director, Joy Amman Davies on her first visit to Pembrokeshire, presented a wide range of musical styles including Welsh favourites interspersed with more modern pieces. On this evidence the choir has recovered from its recent difficulties and is assured of continued success with an enhanced reputation. The soloist that night, Catrin Aur Davies, captivated the Follies Theatre audience and appears to be another rising soprano star in the Welsh firmament. She adds lustre to the Festival’s track-record, which includes early starts in their careers for Katherine Jenkins and Elin Manahan Thomas.
Tenby Male Choir, Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir and the newly-formed, Lleisiau Penfro- Voices of Pembroke all added their voices to the chorus on separate occasions. It was not a competition but, inevitably in Wales, comparisons were made between the four. Judgement on which choir came out the winner depends on who one spoke to and, more importantly, where they came from.
In addition to all this music, comedy and drama there were a number of other strands during the eight days including talks, workshops and exhibitions. In “The Angel Mountain Saga”, Brian John, the local author, revealed the inspiration behind his writing and explored the author’s "sense of place" as well as the myths and legends which he was inspired to weave into his narrative. Mark Thomas, County Museums Officer, ventured out from Scolton Manor to present “Wish You Were Here - A Seaside Rendezvous”. Featuring Tenby in old photographs, some of which had never been seen before by the public, attracted a full house.
Marcel Kouisseoue provided an African Fusion Fun dance workshop on the opening Saturday, which
delighted all who took part, including a party of Chernobyl children who made light of the language barrier. Over that opening weekend Louise Diggle presented a well-attended art workshop at St. Lawrence Church, Gumfreston, which was followed by a quilting exhibition and lecture by Dilys Fronks on the Wednesday of Festival week. The following day Dilys conducted a one-day appliqué workshop in Penally Village Hall which was very well attended. Another important feature of the Festival was the Art Trail around Tenby offering exhibitions by a wide range of artists at the various galleries including Augustus and Gwen John, Andie Clay, Guy Manning, John Cahill, and Naomi Tydeman.
As usual the Festival opened with a Grand Parade through the crowded streets by a host of talented musicians, dancers and street entertainers, led by Uncle Sam, the stilt man. Samba Tawe drummers and dancers provided a colourful and noisy spectacle both in Tudor Square, where the parade halted to entertain the throng, and later at the harbour where the entertainment continued for the rest of the day. After the official opening of the Festival by the Mayor of Tenby, Clr John Griffiths, Hynes School of Irish dancing held everyone enthralled with a confident and stylish display. They were followed by the Knights Templar, The Lost Boys, Stephan’s Band, Home-Made Drummers and Cheri Morgan, all contributing to the free family fun in a glorious setting on a beautiful day. Later, at the De Valence Pavilion, the Pembrokeshire Bands Night provided a much-needed platform for up and coming talent from the area.
The next day, Sunday, the weather was not so kind, but undaunted a number of brave souls ensured that the sandcastle competition went ahead. As the weather improved some fifty children and adults took part in the event on South Beach where all the children received valuable prizes for their efforts. The winning construction was an exquisite model of Tenby. The Mojas played their own brand of music as the crowds began to gather to watch the edifices emerge from the sand.
The standard of most performances in whatever field has been outstanding this year while the quality and diversity of events unsurpassed. The Festival is building on its strengths from year to year and plans for next year are well under way, when the Festival will be held between 20th and 27th September, so note these dates now.
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