The Comittee:
Suzannah Jones, Carwen Thomas, 
Christine Dyer, Audrey Evans,
Cenydd Phillips, Elaine Harris

                   01792 208132 

The club started life in 1942 in Pantygwydr Church under the guiding hand of Rev. H.J. Flowers as the Brynmill and Uplands Youth Club, providing such activities as handicrafts, gym and drama. 

The first show, "The Gondoliers" opened on 17th February 1943 and ran to enthusiastic applause for 4 nights, under the inspiration of the late Mrs. Reggie Morgan and Mr Jim Barlow. 

In 1949 the annual production was moved to Llewellyn Hall, in the YMCA under the new name, Uplands Arts, where it remained, except for a breif stay in Bryn Road Scout HQ, for many years. The Patti Pavilion became the new, larger venue for 3 years before the society moved to its current  home, the Taliesin Theatre, where the intimate atmosphere (around 320 seats, in 'amphitheatre' style) and excellent facilities suit G&S and Uplands Arts ideally. 

Past society patrons have included Patrick Moore, OBE and the late Donald Adams, who, right up until his sad death, took an active role in supporting the society.
 

The society took part in the centenary performance of Pirates of Penzance, held at the Royal Albert Hall and broadcast by the BBC. We have also performed with such famous D'Oyly Carte names as Geoffrey Shovelton, Helen Landis, Robert Meadmore and Patricia Cope for a week of Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore, at the Swansea Grand Theatre in 1979. More recently some of the society's principles (Adrian Williams (as the Major General), Bronwen Evans (as Kate) and Cenydd Phillips (as Samuel)) appeared alongside other famous names, including John Ayldon, at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea (1997) in a 'Pirates from Scratch' performance. Many other members were in the chorus. In November 2000, the society were asked to provide a chorus for an evening of Gilbert and Sullivan at Swansea's Grand Theatre, supporting a team of professional principles: Richard Suart, Linda Hibbard, Philip Creasy, Gareth Jones and Alison Charlton West.

The society was very proud of one of our current and long serving members, Bronwen Evans, when at the 1998 Buxton International G&S festival she was given the award for 'Best Female Performance of the Festival', for her portrayal of Rose Maybud in the festival production of Ruddigore. Then at the Y2K festival, she eclipsed this achievement by not only winning the same award again, but also winning the 'Best Female Voice of the Festival' for the same performance, the first time this has ever been done.

Our President David Thomas, who is a former producer of many Uplands Arts shows, and has been with the Society almost since day one, was awarded an MBE for services to amateur dramatics in the South Wales area.

Two former members of Uplands Arts have performed in the West end, at Her Majesty's Theatre, in 'Phantom of the Opera'. Lee David Bowen playing the role of Piangi and Claire Louise Hammacott playing Christine. We were delighted when in 2003 Claire joined Uplands Arts on stage again, playing the part of Gianetta in 'The Gondoliers'. Other professional ex-members include Michael Gunney, who has toured with the English National Opera, and Laura Rogers, who appeared on TV with Pete Postlethwaite in 'The Sins'.