Western Mail

All Guns Blazing

WITH her slinky black leather jump-suit, long black tresses and cool shades, Sienna Miller's look in her new movie G I Joe: The Rise of Cobra is a million miles from her last big screen role - that of Dylan Thomas' true love. In the modest Brit-flick The Edge of Love, Miller was all '40s bohemian chic, as Caitlin MacNamara, wife of the iconic Welsh poet as played by Matthew Rhys.

Inside Track [ ... ]

WHILE I was growing up near Newport, we didn't get involved in the National Eisteddfod tradition. In fact, if I'm being honest, it was something that was completely alien to me. And the same goes for my friends who grew up in other areas in the former county of Gwent.

Index

Filmoffer

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL star Vanessa Hudgens is returning to the big screen in this summer's hot family hit Bandslam. And while it doesn't open nationwide until August 12, Box Office has a number of free tickets for a preview screening at the Odeon cinemas in Bridgend and Swansea this Sunday.

Film

Coco before Chanel G-Force (PG, 88 mins) Coco Before Chanel (12A, 112 mins)

'It's Not Everyone's Cup of Tea' ; a Contemporary Play Touching On Topics Like Terrorism, Pornography and Modern-Day Obsessions Will Be Premiered at the National Eisteddfod. The Man Who Translated It Into Welsh Tells Karen Price That He Hopes Audiences Will Approach It with an Open Mind

OWEN MARTELL admits that the first play he's translated for the stage might not be to everyone's liking. But the award-winning author hopes that audiences will approach it with an open mind.

Theguide 7 Days of Things to Do Near You

TODAY ABERAERON: Memorial Hall (01545 574934) Peter Karrie. 7.30pm Tickets pounds 10.00 ABERYSTWYTH: Arts Centre (01970 623232), The King & I. 7.30pm. Tickets from pounds 18.50. BARRY: Memorial Hall (01446 400111), Oklahoma!

Roger Granelli ; Culturevulture

Occupation: Musician and novelist Lives: Pontypridd What was the last movie you saw? No Country For Old Men. Cormac McCarthy is one of my favourite American writers and this film was the Coen Brothers back on form. What was the last stage production you saw? It was with some trepidation that I went to the New Theatre, Cardiff, last year to see Strangers On A Train. Alfred Hitchcock was one of my favourite directors and I studied the film at college. It was a decent production. When was the la...

On the Road to Stardom ; Competing in Next We Ek's National Eisteddfod Could Prov Ve to Be a Launch Pad for Future Success S. Karen Price Speaks to Three Familiar Faces Who Have Carved Out Impressive Careers S After Winning Major Prizes On the Maes

The award-winning actor and director HE'S won two Olivier Awards, performed on Broadway and has just taken up the job of artistic director at Sheffield Theatres.

Fivelive On This Week's to-Do List

1 Chicago The hit musical based in the '20s is about two female killers who find celebrity. Starring Gary Wilmot as Billy Flynn and Emma Barton as Roxie Hart, it features a wealth of hits.

Familytime Picks for Kids

Horrid Henry - Live and Horrid! Yes we have plugged this one before but it's the first ever stage show based on the much-loved books by Francesca Simon and there are only a few days left to enjoy it.

Sound Bites

WE'VE got two festivals kicking off at opposite ends of the country this week. South Wales gets The Big Weekend, Cardiff's annual free music bash that features The Zutons, The Lightning Seeds and Imelda May, but most notably returns to an all-Welsh line-up for the Friday with Kids In Glass Houses, The Joy Formidable, Attack Attack and Save Your Breath.

Music On the Maes ; the Best Welsh Language Performerswill Be Given Their Own Separate Showcase at the National Eisteddfod. Karen Price Finds Out How the Mini Festival Is Thriving

NOT far from the main Eisteddfod site in Bala, there will be another festival vibe going on. For some of the coolest musicians will be gathering on Maes B for the annual showcase of the best of Welsh language music. The concept was launched by Guto Brychan when the Eisteddfod was last in Bala, back in 1997.

Onshow Exhibitions

ABERAERON A new exhibition of paintings by artist Esther Eckley @ Oriel Ty Te, Ji-binc until August 21 ABERDARE Glenn Edwards - Priorities features a selection of photographs of people with the items that are important to them @ Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery until August 8 ABERGAVENNY Abergavenny Museum is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a new exhibition of works inspired by the landscape of Capel y Ffin @ Abergavenny Museum until September 27 ABERYSTWYTH P B Abery - Photographs of Radn...

Celebrating Our Artistic Nation ; One of the Highlights of the National Eisteddfod Is the Annual Art Exhibition. Karen Price Enjoys a Preview of the Work On Show This Year

Y Cae Blysig by Elfyn Lewis WITH around 40,000 people viewing the art show on the Maes, it's no wonder Welsh artists clamour to get their work displayed there.

Darryl Corner the View ; Review: Pembrokeshire by David Wilson, Published by Graffeg On August 14, Priced Pounds 25

HAVING looked at a lot of photography in galleries, on-line and in print, I'm fast coming to the conclusion that books are the natural home for photographs. The scale is intimate, you can get up as close as you want to, and you can come back to an image many times. Books allow images to be paired or sequenced in ways that can reveal, if not a narrative, then certainly a sense of progression.

Audi's Sportback Is Putting On the Style ; Audi Sportback's Got Style in Spades

A BLAST from the past has helped Audi turn on the style for its 100th birthday. The A5 Sportback, launched only days after the German car maker celebrated its centenary, has borrowed some of its good looks from the iconic Audi 100 Coupe of the early 1970s.

Ferrari's New Stunner ; More Powerful and Economical Than the Current Ferrari, the Italia has It All...

A NEW mid-engined supercar is to be unveiled by Ferrari at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. With an interior said to be inspired by former Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a top speed in excess of 200mph. Styled as a two-seater with a sleek, low-slung profile, Ferrari says the Italia is a massive leap forward from the company's previous mid-engined sports cars.

Don't Dice with Drink Driving

MILLIONS of motorists could risk losing their licences this summer if they are encouraged to drink-drive by the number of cheap breathalyser kits flooding the market. Police say the cheap alco-testers are mass-produced to the lowest standards and cannot be relied upon.

Extra Goodies for Vw Touran

SATELLITE navigation is coming as standard on the latest version of the Volkswagen Touran MPV. The Touran Match also features VW's automatic parking system, iPod connectivity and a multifunction steering wheel.