Presenters
Below can be found information on the collection of presenters and hosts with whom Craig has has the pleasure to work with over the years.
Further information on each can, where possible, be found by clicking on the links to the artist's own sites.
Further information on various projects involving these artists can also be found in the projects section of this site
Further information on each can, where possible, be found by clicking on the links to the artist's own sites.
Further information on various projects involving these artists can also be found in the projects section of this site
Mark Brake
Mark Brake is an author, broadcaster and former professor in the communication of science. Along with Frank Burnet, Brake was one of the UK's first chairs in science communication, and professor in the subject at the University of Glamorgan from 2002 to 2010. Brake was a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Director of the Science of Communication Research Unit at the University of Glamorgan. He was also a founding member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute science communication group between 2003 and 2006, and one of the academics in the European Science Communication Network.
He is best known for his work in popularising the relationship between space, science and culture. In 1998 Brake received much publicity for developing an undergraduate university course, Life In the Universe, which examined the science and culture of astrobiology. The following year he launched an undergraduate degree in science and science fiction, again widely reported by the world's media, and which attempted to establish a Third Culture for science teaching in academia. Continuing this work in 2005 whilst a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute science communication group, Brake launched the world's first undergraduate degree in Astrobiology. The program recognized not only that astrobiology’s key issues are grounded firmly within scientific disciplines, and its goals represented by a major driving force behind current space programs, but that the subject also had a long history in philosophy and literature, associated with the plurality of inhabited worlds tradition.
Between 2003 and 2008, Brake was responsible for leading high-profile public engagement initiatives in science, which attracted around £5 million of funding. The RoCCoTo project was a community-based science course for the public, and was one of the largest astrobiology outreach programs in the world. By featuring ideas about science and their cultural context, the project engaged large numbers of the public in Third Culture studies. The RoCCoTO project received a Public Engagement Award from the Astrobiology Society of Britain in 2008. Alien Worlds, an award-winning multimedia website associated with the RoCCoTO project was launched in July 2009. The website is an animated guide to phenomena such as eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and demonstrates Earth’s place in a cosmic perspective through advanced, animated visuals. Another project, with indirect funding from the DTi, delivered science communication activities to schools in the principality, in an attempt to forestall the poor uptake in science subjects as a career.
Since 2006, Brake has been director and fund-holder for Science Shops Wales. This major public initiative is based on the European Science Shop model of engagement with the public, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government through the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. A science shop provides independent participatory research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society. By encouraging community organisations to identify and meet their own research needs, Science Shops Wales aims to be genuinely responsive to, and helpful with, the problems experienced by the citizens of Wales. Science Shop projects also aim to enable university students and staff to strengthen their links with the community while developing research with real local relevance.
Since 2008, Brake has been professorial champion for science in the Beacon for Wales. The Beacon is one of six centres for public engagement throughout the UK at the heart of a major new initiative to make universities more welcoming and accessible, and to deepen the social impact and relevance of their work. Along with the University of Glamorgan, the Beacon for Wales includes Cardiff University, National Museum Wales, BBC Wales and Techniquest. Throughout the summer of 2009, Brake has also been developing public engagement links with National Museum (Thailand).
Over the last decade or so, Brake has been engaging the public with science, both nationally and internationally, through television, radio, print and electronic media. He has acted as consultant to the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle in 2004 when they launched; and to Tiger Aspect Productions and the Discovery Channel for their series on science fiction. He was also consultant to Blast! Films for The Martians and Us, a season on the history of British science fiction for BBC Four, and to UKTV for a season of promotion on Doctor Who. Brake is currently working as science consultant for the BBC's CBBC channel on Space Hoppers, a seven part series on the Solar System to be broadcast early in 2010.
And as one of the associate editors in the UK of the NASA Astrobiology Magazine’s European Edition, Brake helped NASA commission a rap by Jon Chase on the topic of astrobiology, which attracted considerable global media attention in 2008 and 2009.
After acting as consultant to the Science Museum (London) on their The Silence of Aliens exhibition, Brake began publishing popular science books. Different Engines: How Science Drives Fiction and Fiction Drives Science was published by Macmillan Science in 2007, claiming to be the first popular science book to explore the relationship between science and science fiction. Futureworld, which looks at how science fiction has merged with reality, was published by Boxtree MacMillan and the Science Museum (London) in 2008. Further titles, including one on science communication and one on Galileo and Charles Darwin, are to be published in 2009. Brake is also working with Cambridge University Press on Alien Life Imagined: Communicating the Science and Culture of Astrobiology, to be published in 2012.
Craig worked together with Mark on the 2008/09 production of The Planets, and they are currently collaborating on the 2010 project The Red Lady of Paviland
He is best known for his work in popularising the relationship between space, science and culture. In 1998 Brake received much publicity for developing an undergraduate university course, Life In the Universe, which examined the science and culture of astrobiology. The following year he launched an undergraduate degree in science and science fiction, again widely reported by the world's media, and which attempted to establish a Third Culture for science teaching in academia. Continuing this work in 2005 whilst a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute science communication group, Brake launched the world's first undergraduate degree in Astrobiology. The program recognized not only that astrobiology’s key issues are grounded firmly within scientific disciplines, and its goals represented by a major driving force behind current space programs, but that the subject also had a long history in philosophy and literature, associated with the plurality of inhabited worlds tradition.
Between 2003 and 2008, Brake was responsible for leading high-profile public engagement initiatives in science, which attracted around £5 million of funding. The RoCCoTo project was a community-based science course for the public, and was one of the largest astrobiology outreach programs in the world. By featuring ideas about science and their cultural context, the project engaged large numbers of the public in Third Culture studies. The RoCCoTO project received a Public Engagement Award from the Astrobiology Society of Britain in 2008. Alien Worlds, an award-winning multimedia website associated with the RoCCoTO project was launched in July 2009. The website is an animated guide to phenomena such as eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and demonstrates Earth’s place in a cosmic perspective through advanced, animated visuals. Another project, with indirect funding from the DTi, delivered science communication activities to schools in the principality, in an attempt to forestall the poor uptake in science subjects as a career.
Since 2006, Brake has been director and fund-holder for Science Shops Wales. This major public initiative is based on the European Science Shop model of engagement with the public, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government through the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. A science shop provides independent participatory research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society. By encouraging community organisations to identify and meet their own research needs, Science Shops Wales aims to be genuinely responsive to, and helpful with, the problems experienced by the citizens of Wales. Science Shop projects also aim to enable university students and staff to strengthen their links with the community while developing research with real local relevance.
Since 2008, Brake has been professorial champion for science in the Beacon for Wales. The Beacon is one of six centres for public engagement throughout the UK at the heart of a major new initiative to make universities more welcoming and accessible, and to deepen the social impact and relevance of their work. Along with the University of Glamorgan, the Beacon for Wales includes Cardiff University, National Museum Wales, BBC Wales and Techniquest. Throughout the summer of 2009, Brake has also been developing public engagement links with National Museum (Thailand).
Over the last decade or so, Brake has been engaging the public with science, both nationally and internationally, through television, radio, print and electronic media. He has acted as consultant to the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle in 2004 when they launched; and to Tiger Aspect Productions and the Discovery Channel for their series on science fiction. He was also consultant to Blast! Films for The Martians and Us, a season on the history of British science fiction for BBC Four, and to UKTV for a season of promotion on Doctor Who. Brake is currently working as science consultant for the BBC's CBBC channel on Space Hoppers, a seven part series on the Solar System to be broadcast early in 2010.
And as one of the associate editors in the UK of the NASA Astrobiology Magazine’s European Edition, Brake helped NASA commission a rap by Jon Chase on the topic of astrobiology, which attracted considerable global media attention in 2008 and 2009.
After acting as consultant to the Science Museum (London) on their The Silence of Aliens exhibition, Brake began publishing popular science books. Different Engines: How Science Drives Fiction and Fiction Drives Science was published by Macmillan Science in 2007, claiming to be the first popular science book to explore the relationship between science and science fiction. Futureworld, which looks at how science fiction has merged with reality, was published by Boxtree MacMillan and the Science Museum (London) in 2008. Further titles, including one on science communication and one on Galileo and Charles Darwin, are to be published in 2009. Brake is also working with Cambridge University Press on Alien Life Imagined: Communicating the Science and Culture of Astrobiology, to be published in 2012.
Craig worked together with Mark on the 2008/09 production of The Planets, and they are currently collaborating on the 2010 project The Red Lady of Paviland
Shan Cothi
Shân was born in Ffarmers, Llanwrda, West Wales and graduated from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. She has been a professional soloist since 1995, the year in which she won the Blue Riband at the National Eisteddfod. She is a versatile performer with an extensive repertoire and is equally at home in opera, oratorio, contemporary music and music theatre.
Her BAFTA award winning self-titled music series for Channel 4 Wales ran for two successful seasons and was nominated for the best music programme in the Montreux Festival. Other television appearances include being a soloist in ‘Music Under the Stars’ with Bryn Terfel and Michael Ball from the Faenol Festival, soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Bryn Terfel for Channel 4 Wales, soloist in Proms in the Park for BBC Wales, soloist in Royal Gala from the opening weekend of the Wales Millennium Centre on BBC 4, presenting the L’Orient Inter-Celtic Music Festival for Channel 4 Wales, and appearing as a panelist in the ‘Just Up Your Street’ talent show and ‘The Lyrics Game’ both for BBC Wales.
In 2005, Shân made her television acting debut playing the role of Davina Roberts in the highly successful drama series ‘Con Passionate’ for Channel 4 Wales and was nominated in the “Best Newcomer” category at the 2006 BAFTA Cymru awards.
Shân performed the role of Carlotta in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Phantom of the Opera for fifteen months in Her Majesty’s Theatre, London. In 2006 Shân sang the role of Mary Roberts in the new Welsh musical by Mal Pope and Frank Vickery, Amazing Grace, on tour with the Wales Theatre Company.
Concert highlights include being a soloist in ‘Glamorous Night’ a tribute to Ivor Novello performed at the Novello Theatre, London, the Wales Millennium Centre, and in San Francisco, performing in both the opening and closing concerts of the inaugural International Festival of Music Theatre in Cardiff, a tour of Britten’s Les Illuminations with the Chamber Orchestra of Wales, a St David’s Day celebration concert to celebrate the life of Dylan Thomas in New York and leading the singing of the National Anthem in front of 72,000 spectators at an international football match at the Millennium Stadium. In 2005 Shân toured Wales with her critically acclaimed show ‘Cothi & Cream’ with the male group ‘Only Men Aloud’. Shân is a frequent guest on Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ with the BBC Concert Orchestra and a popular soloist in Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert series ‘Here Come the Classics’. In 2007, Shan made her debut as a soloist at the Welsh Proms, in a concert of film music with RPO conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.
Her debut album Passione with the Welsh National Chamber Orchestra features international harpist Catrin Finch. A promotional video of one of the tracks was voted Most Watched Video on Classic FM television. Shân currently hosts her own radio show for Radio Wales and the third series of ‘Con Passionate’ was recently broadcast on S4C. Last year, Shân also established the charity Amser Justin Time to raise money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer, in memory of her late husband who died of the illness in 2007.
Craig was a guest on Shan's BBC Radio show in 2007, and has since worked with Shan at the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert and on 'Con Passionate'. Further information on Shan and her BBC show can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/shancothi/
Her BAFTA award winning self-titled music series for Channel 4 Wales ran for two successful seasons and was nominated for the best music programme in the Montreux Festival. Other television appearances include being a soloist in ‘Music Under the Stars’ with Bryn Terfel and Michael Ball from the Faenol Festival, soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Bryn Terfel for Channel 4 Wales, soloist in Proms in the Park for BBC Wales, soloist in Royal Gala from the opening weekend of the Wales Millennium Centre on BBC 4, presenting the L’Orient Inter-Celtic Music Festival for Channel 4 Wales, and appearing as a panelist in the ‘Just Up Your Street’ talent show and ‘The Lyrics Game’ both for BBC Wales.
In 2005, Shân made her television acting debut playing the role of Davina Roberts in the highly successful drama series ‘Con Passionate’ for Channel 4 Wales and was nominated in the “Best Newcomer” category at the 2006 BAFTA Cymru awards.
Shân performed the role of Carlotta in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Phantom of the Opera for fifteen months in Her Majesty’s Theatre, London. In 2006 Shân sang the role of Mary Roberts in the new Welsh musical by Mal Pope and Frank Vickery, Amazing Grace, on tour with the Wales Theatre Company.
Concert highlights include being a soloist in ‘Glamorous Night’ a tribute to Ivor Novello performed at the Novello Theatre, London, the Wales Millennium Centre, and in San Francisco, performing in both the opening and closing concerts of the inaugural International Festival of Music Theatre in Cardiff, a tour of Britten’s Les Illuminations with the Chamber Orchestra of Wales, a St David’s Day celebration concert to celebrate the life of Dylan Thomas in New York and leading the singing of the National Anthem in front of 72,000 spectators at an international football match at the Millennium Stadium. In 2005 Shân toured Wales with her critically acclaimed show ‘Cothi & Cream’ with the male group ‘Only Men Aloud’. Shân is a frequent guest on Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ with the BBC Concert Orchestra and a popular soloist in Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert series ‘Here Come the Classics’. In 2007, Shan made her debut as a soloist at the Welsh Proms, in a concert of film music with RPO conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.
Her debut album Passione with the Welsh National Chamber Orchestra features international harpist Catrin Finch. A promotional video of one of the tracks was voted Most Watched Video on Classic FM television. Shân currently hosts her own radio show for Radio Wales and the third series of ‘Con Passionate’ was recently broadcast on S4C. Last year, Shân also established the charity Amser Justin Time to raise money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer, in memory of her late husband who died of the illness in 2007.
Craig was a guest on Shan's BBC Radio show in 2007, and has since worked with Shan at the Rhondda Fach Gala Concert and on 'Con Passionate'. Further information on Shan and her BBC show can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/shancothi/
Connie Fisher
Connie Fisher shot to fame after winning the 2006 BBC One talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Born in June 1983 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Fisher lived in Dorset, England before moving to a village near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire at the age of six. She attended Hayscastle Junior School and later Sir Thomas Picton School, and is a fluent speaker of Welsh.
From a young age Fisher was a member of Côr Newyddion Da, and she competed annually in the Urdd Gobaith Cymru, National and International Eisteddfodau.
As a teenager she joined Haverfordwest Operatic Society, for whom she appeared in a number of productions including The Pirates Of Penzance and South Pacific. She was also a member of the Torch Youth Theatre where she performed in George Buchner's play Woyzek.
Between 1999 and 2002 Fisher joined the National Youth Music Theatre, where her roles included Lady of the Lake in the UK tour of Pendragon, and Morgan Le Fay for the production's Japanese tour in 2001. The following year she won the Wilbert Lloyd Roberts Scholarship in the Songs from the Shows competition in the National Eisteddfod, and the Milford and West Wales Mercury talent competition.
In 2002 she was awarded a full scholarship to the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, from which she graduated in 2005 with a first class degree in musical theatre, as well as the Gyearbuor Asante prize for being the top student. At Mountview she performed in Annie Get Your Gun, A... My Name Is Alice, Jerry's Girls and Carousel.
After leaving Mountview Fisher worked at a pizza restaurant and in telesales, a period she later described as "completely demoralising". She made her professional theatre debut at Christmas 2005, playing Princess Samina in the pantomime Aladdin at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, and the following year she won the £1,000 cash prize and the Gower Trophy in the final of the 2006 Welsh Musical Theatre Young Singer of the Year Competition, held at Swansea Grand Theatre.
Her big break came in 2006, when she took part - and eventually won - the BBC talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. The series aimed to find a performer to play Maria von Trapp in a new West End production of The Sound Of Music, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
It began on 29 July 2006, following open auditions, and was shown on Saturday evenings on BBC One. Connie Fisher won the competition during the final on 16 September, and was given a six-month contract to play Maria.
Her debut in The Sound Of Music came on 15 November, which received positive reviews, and her contract was extended until February 2008. Fisher became in demand as a performer, and on 1 July 2007 appeared at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium before 63,000 people. In August that year she also performed at Bryn Terfel's Faenol Festival.
Connie Fisher's debut album, Favourite Things, was released on 9 October 2006 and contained a number of show tunes and modern classics. It peaked at number 14 in the UK album chart. She also featured on a new soundtrack from the stage show The Sound Of Music, released on 11 December 2006.
A follow-up album, Secret Love, was released in February 2009. As with Favourite Things, it featured show tunes and songs from classic films, plus a cover of Buddy Holly's True Love Ways and a new Andrew Lloyd Webber song called First Impression Counts.
Craig worked with Connie on the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St David's Hall Cardiff in March 2013
Born in June 1983 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Fisher lived in Dorset, England before moving to a village near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire at the age of six. She attended Hayscastle Junior School and later Sir Thomas Picton School, and is a fluent speaker of Welsh.
From a young age Fisher was a member of Côr Newyddion Da, and she competed annually in the Urdd Gobaith Cymru, National and International Eisteddfodau.
As a teenager she joined Haverfordwest Operatic Society, for whom she appeared in a number of productions including The Pirates Of Penzance and South Pacific. She was also a member of the Torch Youth Theatre where she performed in George Buchner's play Woyzek.
Between 1999 and 2002 Fisher joined the National Youth Music Theatre, where her roles included Lady of the Lake in the UK tour of Pendragon, and Morgan Le Fay for the production's Japanese tour in 2001. The following year she won the Wilbert Lloyd Roberts Scholarship in the Songs from the Shows competition in the National Eisteddfod, and the Milford and West Wales Mercury talent competition.
In 2002 she was awarded a full scholarship to the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, from which she graduated in 2005 with a first class degree in musical theatre, as well as the Gyearbuor Asante prize for being the top student. At Mountview she performed in Annie Get Your Gun, A... My Name Is Alice, Jerry's Girls and Carousel.
After leaving Mountview Fisher worked at a pizza restaurant and in telesales, a period she later described as "completely demoralising". She made her professional theatre debut at Christmas 2005, playing Princess Samina in the pantomime Aladdin at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, and the following year she won the £1,000 cash prize and the Gower Trophy in the final of the 2006 Welsh Musical Theatre Young Singer of the Year Competition, held at Swansea Grand Theatre.
Her big break came in 2006, when she took part - and eventually won - the BBC talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. The series aimed to find a performer to play Maria von Trapp in a new West End production of The Sound Of Music, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
It began on 29 July 2006, following open auditions, and was shown on Saturday evenings on BBC One. Connie Fisher won the competition during the final on 16 September, and was given a six-month contract to play Maria.
Her debut in The Sound Of Music came on 15 November, which received positive reviews, and her contract was extended until February 2008. Fisher became in demand as a performer, and on 1 July 2007 appeared at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium before 63,000 people. In August that year she also performed at Bryn Terfel's Faenol Festival.
Connie Fisher's debut album, Favourite Things, was released on 9 October 2006 and contained a number of show tunes and modern classics. It peaked at number 14 in the UK album chart. She also featured on a new soundtrack from the stage show The Sound Of Music, released on 11 December 2006.
A follow-up album, Secret Love, was released in February 2009. As with Favourite Things, it featured show tunes and songs from classic films, plus a cover of Buddy Holly's True Love Ways and a new Andrew Lloyd Webber song called First Impression Counts.
Craig worked with Connie on the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St David's Hall Cardiff in March 2013
Arfon Haines-Davies
Arfon Haines Davies is one of ITV Wales' main television presenters. Arfon joined then HTV as a continuity announcer in 1975. During his career he has presented a wide variety of programmes including the marathon ITV Telethon programmes in 1988, 1990 and 1992.
Arfon is proud of the variety of programmes he's had the opportunity of being involved with over his 27 years with HTV, including children's programmes, rock and classical music, sports programmes ranging from show jumping to snooker, darts, football and rugby. Arfon was also a news presenter with HTV's 'Wales at Six'.
Among the programmes he has recently presented are the holiday programme 'Awaydays' and the gardening programme 'Get Gardening!'. He was also the presenter/producer of 'Moneyspinners' which featured collectable items of all kinds and produced 'Inspirations' the style/design series. He is currently presenting 'Remember', a series recalling the big events of years gone by.
Arfon has also presented numerous programmes on S4C such as 'Pacio', 'Penbiwydd Hapus' and introduced a new series of the programme 'Cledrau Coll' - the forgotten railways of Wales.
He was born in Caernarfon and educated at Trinity College, Carmarthen and the Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
Craig worked with Arfon in 2003 where he was guest presenter of the 2003 Welsh Brass Arts Festival
Arfon is proud of the variety of programmes he's had the opportunity of being involved with over his 27 years with HTV, including children's programmes, rock and classical music, sports programmes ranging from show jumping to snooker, darts, football and rugby. Arfon was also a news presenter with HTV's 'Wales at Six'.
Among the programmes he has recently presented are the holiday programme 'Awaydays' and the gardening programme 'Get Gardening!'. He was also the presenter/producer of 'Moneyspinners' which featured collectable items of all kinds and produced 'Inspirations' the style/design series. He is currently presenting 'Remember', a series recalling the big events of years gone by.
Arfon has also presented numerous programmes on S4C such as 'Pacio', 'Penbiwydd Hapus' and introduced a new series of the programme 'Cledrau Coll' - the forgotten railways of Wales.
He was born in Caernarfon and educated at Trinity College, Carmarthen and the Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
Craig worked with Arfon in 2003 where he was guest presenter of the 2003 Welsh Brass Arts Festival
Beverley Humphreys
Glamorous BBC presenter Beverley Humphreys' career has not been confined to the operatic stage, although that is where it began - as Rosina in 'The Barber of Seville' for Welsh National Opera. She has encompassed almost every facet of entertainment - opera, radio, television and the stage.
With her concert repertoire, Beverley has graced the Royal Festival Hall; the Wigmore Hall; the Queen Elizabeth Hall and, at the Albert Hall, she has sung before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and many other Royals. She has also appeared in concert halls from Vancouver to New York.
She frequently performs at prestigious concerts with the Band of the Royal Marines and has also performed at the Mountbatten Festival. Beverley is a frequent soloist on the popular BBC Radio 2 programme, 'Friday Night is Music Night'.
Beverley does exciting cabaret shows singing light songs from the musicals; classical or jazz (with a trio). She is completely 'at home' with each genre of music. She is also an ideal hostess or compere for any event. Her warm, engaging personality and elegance serve to make her popular with organisers and guests alike. She is very much in demand for corporate days, which she both organises and fronts.
Beverley's versatility is her hallmark, founded as it is by meticulous preparation and sheer professionalism in presentation. She is frequently asked to provide after-dinner entertainment and her charm and span of experience and anecdotes captivate her audience. She can also base this entertainment around her thrilling one-woman shows. These provide a wide range of possibilities tailored to individual needs making her 'An Artiste for All Reasons'.
Craig has worked with Beverley on numerous occasions, perhaps most memorably on the 2004/05 D-Day 65 and VE Day 60 commemorative performances in Rhondda Cynon Taf, further information on which can be found in the projects section of this site. Further information on Beverley herself can be found at her own website www.beverleyhumphreys.com
With her concert repertoire, Beverley has graced the Royal Festival Hall; the Wigmore Hall; the Queen Elizabeth Hall and, at the Albert Hall, she has sung before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and many other Royals. She has also appeared in concert halls from Vancouver to New York.
She frequently performs at prestigious concerts with the Band of the Royal Marines and has also performed at the Mountbatten Festival. Beverley is a frequent soloist on the popular BBC Radio 2 programme, 'Friday Night is Music Night'.
Beverley does exciting cabaret shows singing light songs from the musicals; classical or jazz (with a trio). She is completely 'at home' with each genre of music. She is also an ideal hostess or compere for any event. Her warm, engaging personality and elegance serve to make her popular with organisers and guests alike. She is very much in demand for corporate days, which she both organises and fronts.
Beverley's versatility is her hallmark, founded as it is by meticulous preparation and sheer professionalism in presentation. She is frequently asked to provide after-dinner entertainment and her charm and span of experience and anecdotes captivate her audience. She can also base this entertainment around her thrilling one-woman shows. These provide a wide range of possibilities tailored to individual needs making her 'An Artiste for All Reasons'.
Craig has worked with Beverley on numerous occasions, perhaps most memorably on the 2004/05 D-Day 65 and VE Day 60 commemorative performances in Rhondda Cynon Taf, further information on which can be found in the projects section of this site. Further information on Beverley herself can be found at her own website www.beverleyhumphreys.com
George W. Jordan
George W. Jordan is an actor, narrator, seasoned broadcaster, and program producer. George spent 25 years working for the CBC as a TV news anchor, radio host, and internal training consultant.
Prior to that he worked for various radio and television stations in Canada including in Peterborough, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. He is also principal voice and host of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
He has served as Nova Scotia's Chief Consumer Advocate on Auto Insurance Reform. George has also worked to promote Halifax internationally and was a founding member of a committee which helped Halifax twin with Campeche, Mexico.
His acting roles include an on-going part on CBC Radio's " Clean Sweep." He has also appeared on " Black Harbour " on CBC television and was a featured guest on " Growing Up Canadian " on History Television. In 2006, George worked as a writer and host on the film, " Halifax Harbour: A Geological History " produced by Moonglow Digital. George is now working on a television series called " The Life Changers " in co-operation with the Association of Atlantic Universities.
George has trained executives and community leaders in media presentation skills for such diverse organizations as King's College, Maritime Life, Mount Allison University, TD Bank, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
As a voice actor, he has narrated numerous commercials and films and has many different characters and voices to share with audiences.
Further information on George can be found at www.limelightgroup.com
Prior to that he worked for various radio and television stations in Canada including in Peterborough, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. He is also principal voice and host of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
He has served as Nova Scotia's Chief Consumer Advocate on Auto Insurance Reform. George has also worked to promote Halifax internationally and was a founding member of a committee which helped Halifax twin with Campeche, Mexico.
His acting roles include an on-going part on CBC Radio's " Clean Sweep." He has also appeared on " Black Harbour " on CBC television and was a featured guest on " Growing Up Canadian " on History Television. In 2006, George worked as a writer and host on the film, " Halifax Harbour: A Geological History " produced by Moonglow Digital. George is now working on a television series called " The Life Changers " in co-operation with the Association of Atlantic Universities.
George has trained executives and community leaders in media presentation skills for such diverse organizations as King's College, Maritime Life, Mount Allison University, TD Bank, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
As a voice actor, he has narrated numerous commercials and films and has many different characters and voices to share with audiences.
Further information on George can be found at www.limelightgroup.com
Vincent Kane
Vincent Kane, OBE, is a Welsh broadcaster and writer, and the Chairman of the Wales Quality Centre, the International Festival of Musical Theatre and the Cardiff Initiative.
Kane is best known for his work as a presenter and interviewer in BBC television programmes such as Wales Today, Week In Week Out and on radio in Good Morning Wales and Meet For Lunch (BBC Radio Wales).
He has been called "the Jeremy Paxman of Wales" because of his searching interview techniques, though he was already a well-known figure in Wales before Paxman made his name on national television.
Kane began as a reporter on Wales Today in 1962, and went on to host Week In Week Out, a weekly current affairs series that focused on a particular issue each week. He returned to host Wales Today from 1986 to 1993, and eventually left BBC Wales in 1998.
Craig worked with Vincent in 2001 when he was guest presenter of the inaugural Welsh Brass Arts Festival in June 2001
Kane is best known for his work as a presenter and interviewer in BBC television programmes such as Wales Today, Week In Week Out and on radio in Good Morning Wales and Meet For Lunch (BBC Radio Wales).
He has been called "the Jeremy Paxman of Wales" because of his searching interview techniques, though he was already a well-known figure in Wales before Paxman made his name on national television.
Kane began as a reporter on Wales Today in 1962, and went on to host Week In Week Out, a weekly current affairs series that focused on a particular issue each week. He returned to host Wales Today from 1986 to 1993, and eventually left BBC Wales in 1998.
Craig worked with Vincent in 2001 when he was guest presenter of the inaugural Welsh Brass Arts Festival in June 2001
Philip Madoc
Philip Madoc was a Welsh actor who had numerous television and film roles. Perhaps his most famous role was as the title character in the BBC Wales drama The Life and Times of David Lloyd George. However, he first gained widespread recognition in two TV serials, first as the relentless SS Officer Lutzig in the WW2 serial Manhunt (1969), and then as the vicious Huron warrior Magua in a serialisation of The Last of the Mohicans (1971).
Philip reprised the character of Lutzig somewhat in an episode of the comedy Dad's Army, "The Deadly Attachment", where he played a U-boat Captain held prisoner by the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of the Home Guard. He also appeared in an episode of Porridge ("Disturbing The Peace"), and in a controversial episode of The Goodies ("South Africa"), which satirised apartheid.
Madoc also appeared in an episode of the BBC sitcom The Good Life, playing a senior company executive, in a 1970 episode of the drama series UFO, playing the captain of a British warship under attack by the aliens, and appeared as Commander Anton Gorski in the pilot episode of Space: 1999 (1975).
Film roles include The Quiller Memorandum and Operation Daybreak. In 1966 he appeared in the movie Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD. Later he had several roles in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who and appeared in two Second Doctor serials — The Krotons and The War Games, and in the 1970s appeared in two Fourth Doctor serials — The Brain of Morbius and The Power of Kroll. He has recorded DVD commentaries for The War Games and The Brain of Morbius and was interviewed about his roles in Doctor Who in Philip Madoc - A Villain for All Seasons, which appeared as an extra on the DVD for The Power of Kroll. In 2003, Philip also guest starred in the Doctor Who audio adventure, Master.
In the 1990's Philip starred in the detective series A Mind to Kill as DCI Noel Bain, a series which was made simultaneously in English and Welsh. He also made a memorable guest appearance in the Survivors television series and, in 2007, appeared as Y Llywydd (The President) in the S4C gangster series Y Pris. Madoc also starred as Ellis Peters' medieval detective Brother Cadfael in several BBC Radio 4 Adaptations.
Philip was also a linguist who studied languages at the Universities of Wales and Vienna and also worked as an interpreter. He was patron to a St Albans based theatre school for children Best Theatre Arts.
Craig worked with Philip on the 2002 Welsh Brass Arts Festival, where Philip narrated the script for Edward Watson's masterful arrangement of a suite of music by William Walton's from the movie Henry V, while the music was performed by the massed bands of Black Dyke and Parc & Dare, directed by Craig
Philip reprised the character of Lutzig somewhat in an episode of the comedy Dad's Army, "The Deadly Attachment", where he played a U-boat Captain held prisoner by the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of the Home Guard. He also appeared in an episode of Porridge ("Disturbing The Peace"), and in a controversial episode of The Goodies ("South Africa"), which satirised apartheid.
Madoc also appeared in an episode of the BBC sitcom The Good Life, playing a senior company executive, in a 1970 episode of the drama series UFO, playing the captain of a British warship under attack by the aliens, and appeared as Commander Anton Gorski in the pilot episode of Space: 1999 (1975).
Film roles include The Quiller Memorandum and Operation Daybreak. In 1966 he appeared in the movie Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD. Later he had several roles in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who and appeared in two Second Doctor serials — The Krotons and The War Games, and in the 1970s appeared in two Fourth Doctor serials — The Brain of Morbius and The Power of Kroll. He has recorded DVD commentaries for The War Games and The Brain of Morbius and was interviewed about his roles in Doctor Who in Philip Madoc - A Villain for All Seasons, which appeared as an extra on the DVD for The Power of Kroll. In 2003, Philip also guest starred in the Doctor Who audio adventure, Master.
In the 1990's Philip starred in the detective series A Mind to Kill as DCI Noel Bain, a series which was made simultaneously in English and Welsh. He also made a memorable guest appearance in the Survivors television series and, in 2007, appeared as Y Llywydd (The President) in the S4C gangster series Y Pris. Madoc also starred as Ellis Peters' medieval detective Brother Cadfael in several BBC Radio 4 Adaptations.
Philip was also a linguist who studied languages at the Universities of Wales and Vienna and also worked as an interpreter. He was patron to a St Albans based theatre school for children Best Theatre Arts.
Craig worked with Philip on the 2002 Welsh Brass Arts Festival, where Philip narrated the script for Edward Watson's masterful arrangement of a suite of music by William Walton's from the movie Henry V, while the music was performed by the massed bands of Black Dyke and Parc & Dare, directed by Craig
Roy Noble
Former headteacher Roy Noble OBE is one of Wales' best known broadcasters. A native of Brynaman in the Amman Valley of Carmarthenshire, he attended Amman Valley Grammar School in Ammanford. The bright lights of Aberdare however proved too much of an attraction, and he has lived there for past 30 years.
Roy's move to broadcasting was gradual and part-time, writing and presenting a weekly "Letter from Aberdare" on the A.M. Programme. He eventually joined the BBC full time and his daily radio programme attained some of the highest listening figures in Wales for a number of years.
In 1994 he also joined the Welsh Language evening magazine programme Heno, on S4C. In 1999 he received a Sony Award. Roy now presents the regular Sunday morning show for BBC Radio Wales.
Roy is also well known in the television world having presented a number of shows including the BBC Diet Programme with Barbara Dickson; a series of 'Noble Guides' covering many subjects from Paris to Manliness and Mortality. This popular series also covered a journey along the Celtic Rim of Europe. More recently his series Common Ground was highly acclaimed gaining him the Royal Television Society award as Regional Presenter of the Year for the year 2000.
He is also a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and a special envoy for the Welsh Tourist Board. Roy is the current Ambassador for the United Nations International Youth Movement and is involved in very many charities.
In 2001 Roy was awarded an OBE for his charity work and still presents his own daily morning show on Radio Wales. Roy is very much in demand as an 'After Dinner Speaker' and his inimitable way of story telling leaves his audiences spellbound. Roy has also written a number of books, his latest being published in April 2001.
Craig has worked with Roy and been a guest on his BBC show on numerous occasions, most recently in September 2012. Craig last worked with Roy on stage at the Bobath 21 Gala Concert in St David's Hall, Cardiff in March 2013
Roy's move to broadcasting was gradual and part-time, writing and presenting a weekly "Letter from Aberdare" on the A.M. Programme. He eventually joined the BBC full time and his daily radio programme attained some of the highest listening figures in Wales for a number of years.
In 1994 he also joined the Welsh Language evening magazine programme Heno, on S4C. In 1999 he received a Sony Award. Roy now presents the regular Sunday morning show for BBC Radio Wales.
Roy is also well known in the television world having presented a number of shows including the BBC Diet Programme with Barbara Dickson; a series of 'Noble Guides' covering many subjects from Paris to Manliness and Mortality. This popular series also covered a journey along the Celtic Rim of Europe. More recently his series Common Ground was highly acclaimed gaining him the Royal Television Society award as Regional Presenter of the Year for the year 2000.
He is also a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and a special envoy for the Welsh Tourist Board. Roy is the current Ambassador for the United Nations International Youth Movement and is involved in very many charities.
In 2001 Roy was awarded an OBE for his charity work and still presents his own daily morning show on Radio Wales. Roy is very much in demand as an 'After Dinner Speaker' and his inimitable way of story telling leaves his audiences spellbound. Roy has also written a number of books, his latest being published in April 2001.
Craig has worked with Roy and been a guest on his BBC show on numerous occasions, most recently in September 2012. Craig last worked with Roy on stage at the Bobath 21 Gala Concert in St David's Hall, Cardiff in March 2013
Owen Money
Owen was born in Merthyr Tydfil, and grew up in the South Wales valleys. He started his career in show business as a bass guitarist and lead singer with the pop group 'The Bystanders' who had hits in the 1960s on the Pye label.
In the 1970s Owen formed the comedy band 'Tomfoolery' which rapidly became one of the UK's most successful comedy show bands, often topping the bill at Blackpool South Pier. In 1980 he then launched his solo career, soon winning the Club Land 'Comedian of the Year' award, and performing alongside Welsh icons Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones.
In 1987 Owen made his debut on BBC Radio Wales with his weekly programme 'Money for Nothing'. The programme's popularity steadily increased and by 1997 Owen had won two prestigious Sony Gold Awards, 'Regional Broadcaster of the Year', and 'Best Music Sequence Programme of Year. The programme continues to this day, and Owen also occasionally co-hosts the popular "Extra Time" sports phone-in show on Radio Wales on Saturday evenings with Jason Mohammad.
In 2000, after appearing in many pantomimes at the Grand Theatre Swansea and the New Theatre Cardiff, Owen decided to set up his own pantomime company, the Owen Money Theatre Company, with the aim of taking first class, affordable family friendly pantomimes to the theatres of Wales between November to February. The company’s first production Aladdin was later filmed by BBC 1 Wales, achieving an astonishing audience figure of 45% when it was broadcast on New Years Day 2002. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength producing many popular family pantomimes such as Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, Robinson Crusoe, Dick Wittington, Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs featuring celebrity actors and Welsh talent.
Accompanied by his band the Soul Sharks,Owen can also be seen in theatres across Wales touring the "Owen Money Laughter Show". Craig worked with Owen at the 2002 and 2003 Welsh Brass Arts Festival where Owen was guest presenter in both years
In the 1970s Owen formed the comedy band 'Tomfoolery' which rapidly became one of the UK's most successful comedy show bands, often topping the bill at Blackpool South Pier. In 1980 he then launched his solo career, soon winning the Club Land 'Comedian of the Year' award, and performing alongside Welsh icons Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones.
In 1987 Owen made his debut on BBC Radio Wales with his weekly programme 'Money for Nothing'. The programme's popularity steadily increased and by 1997 Owen had won two prestigious Sony Gold Awards, 'Regional Broadcaster of the Year', and 'Best Music Sequence Programme of Year. The programme continues to this day, and Owen also occasionally co-hosts the popular "Extra Time" sports phone-in show on Radio Wales on Saturday evenings with Jason Mohammad.
In 2000, after appearing in many pantomimes at the Grand Theatre Swansea and the New Theatre Cardiff, Owen decided to set up his own pantomime company, the Owen Money Theatre Company, with the aim of taking first class, affordable family friendly pantomimes to the theatres of Wales between November to February. The company’s first production Aladdin was later filmed by BBC 1 Wales, achieving an astonishing audience figure of 45% when it was broadcast on New Years Day 2002. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength producing many popular family pantomimes such as Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, Robinson Crusoe, Dick Wittington, Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs featuring celebrity actors and Welsh talent.
Accompanied by his band the Soul Sharks,Owen can also be seen in theatres across Wales touring the "Owen Money Laughter Show". Craig worked with Owen at the 2002 and 2003 Welsh Brass Arts Festival where Owen was guest presenter in both years
Lucy Owen
Owen began her broadcasting career at BBC Radio Wales as a researcher, later progressing to a reporting and co-presenting role for a features programme. She joined HTV Wales in 1995 as a newsreader for regional opt-outs during GMTV, and between 1996 and 2007, she co-presented Wales Tonight, the regional news programme on ITV Wales, broadcast from Cardiff.
Owen presented on the now defunct ITV News Channel, and was also seen anchoring the main ITV News: Lunchtime News, Evening News and the Weekend News. Owen signed off from her last edition of Wales Tonight on Friday 19 October 2007.
In a surprise but personally motivated move, from Monday 5 November 2007 Owen began presenting the BBC Wales evening news programme BBC Wales Today, replacing long-standing presenter Sara Edwards. To Owen's surprise it then came to light that she was following in her late father - Jeff Cohen's - footsteps as he had worked as an occasional freelance newsreader on Wales Today in 1962 whilst establishing his estate agency business. As a result of the channel move, Owen also joined her husband on the team of BAFTA award winning X-Ray.
Owen is also one of eight celebrities chosen to participate in an intense week learning Welsh in an eco-friendly chic campsite in Pembrokeshire in the series cariad@iaith:love4language shown on S4C in May 2012.
Lucy married in June 2004 at St Andrew's Church in St Andrews Major, near Dinas Powys, fellow Welsh television presenter Rhodri Owen. The couple live in Llangan, and London. Their son Gabriel was born in March 2008.
Known in Wales for her charity work, Owen works with a range of cancer charities, St John Ambulance, and Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales which provides specialist Bobath therapy to children who have cerebral palsy; she is also an ambassador for the Prince's Trust in Wales.
Craig worked together with Lucy, and her Rhodri, on the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St David's Hall, Cardiff in March 2013
Owen presented on the now defunct ITV News Channel, and was also seen anchoring the main ITV News: Lunchtime News, Evening News and the Weekend News. Owen signed off from her last edition of Wales Tonight on Friday 19 October 2007.
In a surprise but personally motivated move, from Monday 5 November 2007 Owen began presenting the BBC Wales evening news programme BBC Wales Today, replacing long-standing presenter Sara Edwards. To Owen's surprise it then came to light that she was following in her late father - Jeff Cohen's - footsteps as he had worked as an occasional freelance newsreader on Wales Today in 1962 whilst establishing his estate agency business. As a result of the channel move, Owen also joined her husband on the team of BAFTA award winning X-Ray.
Owen is also one of eight celebrities chosen to participate in an intense week learning Welsh in an eco-friendly chic campsite in Pembrokeshire in the series cariad@iaith:love4language shown on S4C in May 2012.
Lucy married in June 2004 at St Andrew's Church in St Andrews Major, near Dinas Powys, fellow Welsh television presenter Rhodri Owen. The couple live in Llangan, and London. Their son Gabriel was born in March 2008.
Known in Wales for her charity work, Owen works with a range of cancer charities, St John Ambulance, and Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales which provides specialist Bobath therapy to children who have cerebral palsy; she is also an ambassador for the Prince's Trust in Wales.
Craig worked together with Lucy, and her Rhodri, on the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St David's Hall, Cardiff in March 2013
Rhodri Owen
Owen was brought up in Gower, Swansea in a Welsh language speaking family, which is his first language. Owen was also a member of the National Youth Theatre of Wales.
Owen started his career in radio reporting in his native Welsh language for Radio Cymru. After taking over the Saturday breakfast show, Owen transferred to the daily Red Dragon FM breakfast show. Having presented for BBC Radio 5 Live, Owen has also been the main station voice of BBC Radio Wales.
Owen started his television career with S4C in 1993 as a continuity announcer during children's programming, before appearing on a variety of programmes including children's magazine shows Noc Noc and Uned 5. After six years with the Welsh channel he moved to London and joined CBBC, fronting children's consumer show "Short Change." He went on to appear in the BBC Wales investigative consumer show "X-Ray" and was also the host of 4x4, BBC Three's "Liquid Assets," the BBC1 travel programme "Holiday". He then spent three years on the rival ITV travel show "Wish You Were Here...?," "Holiday in Style" for UK Style and BBC1's "Hard Cash".
Owen is currently hosting "Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns" for Living TV and continues to present BAFTA award winning "X-Ray" for BBC Wales. In 2006, he also co-presented Britain's Dream Homes with Melissa Porter on BBC Two.
Owen had his first book published: "Bwyd bwyd bwyd (food food food)" - about healthy foods aimed at children. In 2009, he became presenter for afternoon magazine show Wedi 3 and studio director for Planed Plant, the current S4C children's continuity strand.
Personal life Rhodri married fellow Welsh television presenter Lucy Cohen in June 2004 at St Andrew's Church in St Andrews Major near Dinas Powys. The couple live in Llangan, and London, and have a son Gabriel.
Craig worked with Rhodri and Lucy on the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St David's Hall in March 2013.
Owen started his career in radio reporting in his native Welsh language for Radio Cymru. After taking over the Saturday breakfast show, Owen transferred to the daily Red Dragon FM breakfast show. Having presented for BBC Radio 5 Live, Owen has also been the main station voice of BBC Radio Wales.
Owen started his television career with S4C in 1993 as a continuity announcer during children's programming, before appearing on a variety of programmes including children's magazine shows Noc Noc and Uned 5. After six years with the Welsh channel he moved to London and joined CBBC, fronting children's consumer show "Short Change." He went on to appear in the BBC Wales investigative consumer show "X-Ray" and was also the host of 4x4, BBC Three's "Liquid Assets," the BBC1 travel programme "Holiday". He then spent three years on the rival ITV travel show "Wish You Were Here...?," "Holiday in Style" for UK Style and BBC1's "Hard Cash".
Owen is currently hosting "Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns" for Living TV and continues to present BAFTA award winning "X-Ray" for BBC Wales. In 2006, he also co-presented Britain's Dream Homes with Melissa Porter on BBC Two.
Owen had his first book published: "Bwyd bwyd bwyd (food food food)" - about healthy foods aimed at children. In 2009, he became presenter for afternoon magazine show Wedi 3 and studio director for Planed Plant, the current S4C children's continuity strand.
Personal life Rhodri married fellow Welsh television presenter Lucy Cohen in June 2004 at St Andrew's Church in St Andrews Major near Dinas Powys. The couple live in Llangan, and London, and have a son Gabriel.
Craig worked with Rhodri and Lucy on the Bobath 21 Gala Concert at St David's Hall in March 2013.
Don Tremaine
Don Tremaine emigrated to Canada at an early age, attended school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and after a stint with the Mounties became one of the busiest and most well known personalities on Maritime radio and television.
Perhaps best known as the emcee of the incredibly popular Don Messer show, Tremaine was also co-host of CBC radio's "Information Morning", and in addition to his lengthy radio career – CHNS 1948-51, CBC Sydney 1951 and CBC Halifax 1952-87 - he is also well known for his charitable work for the I.W.K. Hospital Telethon and fund-raising campaigns for the Canadian Cancer Society, the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Don was admitted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994, and received an honorary doctorate from St. Mary’s University in May, 1996.
Host of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo for many years, Don remains a member of the Board of Directors and Tattoo Society, and still contributes voiceovers, in his own unique and instantly recognisable tones, to the show today.
For further information on the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and Society visit www.nstattoo.ca
Perhaps best known as the emcee of the incredibly popular Don Messer show, Tremaine was also co-host of CBC radio's "Information Morning", and in addition to his lengthy radio career – CHNS 1948-51, CBC Sydney 1951 and CBC Halifax 1952-87 - he is also well known for his charitable work for the I.W.K. Hospital Telethon and fund-raising campaigns for the Canadian Cancer Society, the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Don was admitted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994, and received an honorary doctorate from St. Mary’s University in May, 1996.
Host of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo for many years, Don remains a member of the Board of Directors and Tattoo Society, and still contributes voiceovers, in his own unique and instantly recognisable tones, to the show today.
For further information on the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and Society visit www.nstattoo.ca