Martynell Dancers

Bill Thomas formed The Martynell Dancers after leaving the Welsh National Opera Company as Head of Wigs and Make-up in the early 1980’s, with the help of his sister-in-law Marion Garrod who designs and makes the costumes.

It’s a very family-orientated group with Bill’s wife Elaine, and Marion’s husband Al, running the stage management side. Invaluable support is given by all of the volunteer backstage crew, dressers, and chaperones.

The Martynell Dancers have performed in many venues in and around Cardiff to raise funds for numerous worthy causes, including the annual Cardiff YMCA Lord Mayor’s Matinee. The Dancers have also performed several times at the London Palladium and Her Majesty’s Theatre. In September 2004 Bill and the Dancers moved into the Cardiff YMCA, and are now a membership group known as ’The Cardiff YMCA Martynell Dancers’. Bill is ably assisted by his co-choreographers Becky Strange and Kate Wheeler, both of whom have been dancing with Bill since the age of 7. Kate also coaches the performers in singing.

We continue to support the Cardiff YMCA with fundraising events, and also provide dancers and costumes (including teaching Santa to dance!) at the Cardiff YMCA annual Carol Concert. Classes are open to all ages and abilities, and in May 2007 a new and very successful class for adult beginners was opened. Their first public performance was at St. David’s Hall at the Lord Mayor’s Matinee.

If anyone would like to join any of the classes at Cardiff YMCA to learn tap, modern and jazz dance the days and times are listed below: