The 10th anniversary of Newport’s status as a city will be celebrated in September when two productions at Newport Riverfront focus on the creative talents of the city.

On Saturday, September 22, Ballet Cymru presents an outstanding double bill of new Welsh dance featuring Tanja Råman and Cerys Matthews entitled Cold Rolling and TIR.

Wales-based choreographer Tanja created Cold Rolling, inspired by the ghosts and remnants of Ebbw Vale’s rich industrial past.

Originally the piece was created as an intricate site-responsive piece in which Tanja and ten dancers from Ballet Cymru filtered and animated the various processes of steelmaking into vibrant choreography exploring the spatial patterns within the body and its surrounding environment.

For this stage version, the company creates a lush sensual experience, Tanja’s choreography combining with a soundtrack composed by John Hardy (head of contemporary music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), designed by one of his students – Victoria Ashfield – and sung by Ebbw Vale Male Choir.

Artist, John Collingswood will be bringing his exceptional talents to the project with an emotive lighting and video design.

Singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews’ iconic album of Welsh folk music is the inspiration for TIR.

Choreographers Darius James and Amy Doughty will be using 11 of the songs from the album to create a unique work especially for the dancers of Ballet Cymru.

Cerys herself is collaborating with the company and will be playing the music live on stage with the company in Newport, London and Caernarfon.

Cold Rolling and TIR will be performed at Newport Riverfront theatre on September 22.

Tickets are £13.50 or £11.50, reductions cost £11.50 or £9.50 while restricted views are £6.

Newport also gets its very own monologue show – a theatrical play based on recent interviews with Newport citizens.

Produced and written by Josephine d’Arby, The Newport Monologues will be a co-production between The Riverfront and Newport City Council The Newport Monologues turns the spotlight on Newport citizen’s stories and experiences putting their extraordinary and sometimes hidden stories on stage, in a night of inspiring and surprising entertainment.

From the actors, to the stories, to the audience, the project promises to be Newport through and through.

Designed to tap into a wealth of stories and talent, The Newport Monologues focuses on the people of Newport and the parts of their lives that can touch or amuse.

There is also an opportunity to contribute to The Newport Monologues by telling your own story at feelgood newport.com/ contact-us.html Performances of The Newport Monologues will take place between Wednesday, September 26, and Friday, September 28.

Tickets cost £10, reductions £8, and restricted view £6.

For full booking information call 01633 656757 or visit new port.gov. uk/theriverfront