The Barbican and Mark Llewelyn Evans Charity CD

Located in the City of London, The Barbican is home to an Arts and Conference Centre, Gallery and two Theatres: The Barbican and Silk Street Theatres. The venue hosts concerts, shows, exhibitions, and talks.

The Barbican is completely accessible to those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. However, it is a large venue and so for those who find walking difficult, The Barbican does have three wheelchairs for visitors' use, subject to availability; these can be pre-booked by calling the Box Office on 020 7638 8891. The main entrance on Silk Street is ramped and has lifts nearby, allowing access to all levels within the Barbican.

An induction loop is provided in the Concert Hall and Cinema. Visitors with hearing aids can make use of this facility by switching their hearing aid to the 'T' position. A radio network system is provided in the Theatre and Pit - visitors with hearing impairments may benefit from this facility. Headsets can be collected from Theatre Stalls Right prior to performance.

Assistance dogs may be taken into the auditoria or left with a member of staff. Adapted WCs are provided on Levels -2, -1, G, 1, 2, 3 & 4.

The Barbican also has its own Access Membership Scheme - this allows those with disabilities to register your requirements for free so that your needs can be met. The scheme also entitles you to the fantastic Access Rate tickets for shows and concerts. You can also pre-book a blue badge car parking space at The Barbican and park for free - to do this, book your space with the box office on 020 7638 8891 and when you arrive at the theatre, take your show ticket to the box office and they will provide you with a free exit ticket for the car park. To book tickets and find out more about the Access Membership Scheme please visit www.barbican.org.uk



Welsh Baritone, Mark Llewelyn Evans, recently performed at The Barbican in HMS Pinafore. On the 18th March 2012, Mark released a charity CD in support of the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal Fund. The Fund raises money for the Welsh Guards and their families. The CD is called 'Tell My Father' and also includes the support track 'Men of Harlech'. The CD can be purchased in iTunes and Amazon for £2.58.


Immediate - Press Release - 13th March 2012

Welsh baritone Mark Llewelyn Evans (brother of tenor Wynne; Gio Compario) joins ranks with the Welsh Guards to launch a fund raising CD to support Welsh troops and their families as they are deployed to Afghanistan again this week.

The CD - a double single - called Tell My Father - with support track ‘Men of Harlech’, the regimental slow march of the guards - has been made with the generous support of many artists and technicians, all of whom gave their time and talents for free, in order to raise funds for The Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal Fund.

The hope is to raise £50,000 by Remembrance Sunday this year. As increasing numbers of young soldiers are wounded or die, more & more pressure is put on money available from other sources and so, The Welsh Guards created their own fund to help soldiers and their families who are suffering as a result of the conflict in Afghanistan.

Soldiers like Guardsman Dale Leach who lost a leg and was flown home with a shattered spine, not expected to live. Amazingly he survived but now requires special support and care and has to live with his parents. The fund has helped them to make improvements and adjustments to their home to accommodate Dale’s injury requirements. Parents of soldiers who have lost their lives also find solace in helping the fund like the mother of Lance Corporal Dane Elson, killed in 2009, who helps to manage the fund’s website.

Mark Llewelyn Evans stepped forward after the he was approached by the Welsh Guards who had heard him singing ‘Tell My Father’. A successful soloist, Mark has performed in musicals and opera as well as with Katherine Jenkins for the Welsh Rugby Union. Last year he was asked by Guy Ritchie to appear in the new Sherlock Holmes film A Game of Shadows. The CD also features The Regimental Band of the Welsh Guards, Llantrisant Male Choir & renowned Welsh actor Richard Elfyn.


The Guard’s Colonel and patron, HRH The Prince of Wales speaks in support of the fund -
“It is vital that those Welsh Guardsmen who have given so much to this country and their Regiment know that they and their dependents will be cared for and supported should the need arise. The Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal will play a key role in providing this support in the short and the long term, as the wider Regimental family plays its part. I commend the Appeal and ask all those who can to support its admirable work.”


The Guards are also performing in a 3 night concert tour in Wales on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of March to support the appeal.


The CD, to be launched on the 18th March, is available on iTunes and Amazon at £2.58

You can read more about the appeal and charity on their official website and also donate to the fund at... www.welshguardsappeal.com

To hear sound clips from the sound and for more information about Mark and his forthcoming performances and concerts, see his website at www.markllewelynevans.co.uk

You can also follow Mark on Twitter @markllew


COMING SOON: Matilda, Singin In The Rain, Lion King

The British Museum - Afghanistan Exhibition

Today's post looks at the spectacular new exhibition being held at The British Museum - Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World.

The exhibition showcases some beautiful pieces from a beautiful country, that has unfortunately been ravaged by war over its recent history. Located on the ancient silk roads between India, China, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Afghanistan has been influenced by many cultures over the years.



The exhibition follows a timeline of Afghanistan's history, dating back to several thousand years BC, right up to the present day.

"Nearly lost during the years of civil war and Taliban rule, these surviving treasures reveal Afghanistan's ancient culture, its immense fragility and its remarkable place in world history" (British Museum)

The treasures featured include: pottery, glassware, sculptures, coins, statues, jewellery and possessions of travellers from along the ancient silk trading routes. There are brightly coloured pieces of glassware that were influenced by ancient Egyptians in their design and a magnificent golden crown that is pictured at the start of this post.

The exhibition begins with a video that portrays the beauty of the country as well as some of the more poignant images from recent times. It does however provide a fantastic overview of the country, its history and the lengths that its people will go to, to protect their ancient treasures.

Although not large in the physical sense, the exhibition does showcase a large number of items. I visited the day after it opened and in my opinion, the time slots given for admittance should have been spaced a little further apart. There is an obvious route to follow round the exhibition, but don't expect to pop in for a quick look as it can get quite busy.

To access the exhibtion entrance if you use a wheelchair, mobility scooter or cannot manage stairs, use the lift at the back of the round Millennium building that stands in the centre of the museum's grand foyer. Once inside, the exhibition is all on the same level and there is a different lift at the end of the exhibition, past the gift shop, that can take you back down to ground level.

The cost to visit the exhibition is: Adults - £10 Children - FREE Disabled Visitors - £8 Carer - FREE.

To access the museum itself if you use a wheelchair, mobility scooter or cannot manage stairs, there are 2 lifts, 1 either side of the entrance steps that will lift you up to the entrance level. For more information on access, please call the museum's Access and Equality Manager on 020 7323 8506.

This is a fantastic exhibition and one not to be missed. It runs until 3rd July 2011.



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