The Province of West Wales is delighted to continue their support of the Carmarthen Youth Opera. The Provincial Grand Master, along with other members of the Provincial Team, were in attendance on Saturday 17^th February 2024 to present a cheque for £2500 to this year’s cast of "Our House."

Our House is a musical with music and lyrics by Madness and one song "It Must Be Love" written by Labi Siffre and a book by playwright Tim Firth. Premiering at The Cambridge Theatre in 2002, Our House was the winner of the 2003 Olivier award for Best New Musical and has since gone on to tour both nationally and internationally to great acclaim. Through the music of Madness, writer Tim Firth explores the themes of love, family values, growing up, responsibility and dealing with losing the people that shape us.

During initial publicity for the show in 2002, The band's lead-singer, Suggs (who went to school in Haverfordwest) admitted in an interview for the BBC that he was not particularly a fan of musical theatre, saying; "I can't say I'm a huge fan of musicals. I like music, and I like acting. I like Oliver!, I went to see that when I was a kid and West Side Story and maybe a few little bits and pieces over the years, but no, not a huge fan of musicals. Tim Firth was approached by producers to write the script for the show, accepting the offer as he was a fan of Madness. Speaking to What's on Stage in 2002, Firth commented; "I'd always thought there was an irony that everyone remembered Madness as the nutty boys, but that was generated largely by the videos. The songs were actually just witty. And moving. And about something. And felt like they were part of a musical already. I still don't think I wrote the book of Our House. I found it."

James Ross, Head of West Wales Freemasons, said: "We are delighted to continue our support for Carmarthen Youth Opera. Their performances give a great opportunity to the large number of young people involved and bring joy to those fortunate enough to watch their shows."

Wyn Davies, President of Carmarthen Youth Opera, said "We are very grateful to the Freemasons of West Wales for their support both financial and by their attendance this evening to watch our performance."