What's on Now
We have information on 11 productions that are currently, or will be in the near future, showing or on tour in
Wales by welsh companies. Not included here are productions by visiting companies.
Click on the company's name to view their details,including contact information.
Butterfly Kiss - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
by Phyllis NagyDirector Ian Hastings
Lily seeks affection with a vengeance. At the tender age of 14 she seduces one of her dad’s Vietnam buddies, a few years later she’s entwined with an upwardly mobile lesbian.We find her in a New York prison cell, imprisoned
for matricide.
“Nagy captures the texture of a life and writes short, vivid, often disturbingly erotic scenes... it’s a play that leaves me proclaiming Nagy a writer of real talent”
The Guardian
Caird Studio
Thursday 22 - Saturday 31 May 8pm
Matinee: Friday 20 May 2.30pm
£7, £5, £2
Performances: 22 May 2008 to 31 May 2008
Design Exhibition - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
See the latest design work from the UK’s freshest talent. Graduates from the Theatre Design department present a fascinating exhibition of designs,models and costumes for theatre, opera and dance.Bute Theatre
Thursday 5 - Wednesday 11 June (including Sat & Sun).
Soho Theatre, London
(Thursday private viewing)
Friday 27 10am-10.30pm
Sat 28 June 9am-12pm
Admission Free
Performances: 05 June 2008 to 28 June 2008
A Compelling Evening of Music and DramaMusic Theatre Wales's forthcoming production, For You, is a gripping new opera written by two of the UK's leading creative figures, composer Michael Berkeley and novelist Ian McEwan.
McEwan's first opera libretto is brimming with all the hallmark elements that have made him a number one best selling author. For You explores the venom that sexual jealousy inspires as the comfortable, middle class household of a charismatic but ageing composer is torn apart by a woman prepared to go to any lengths in the name of love ...
The compelling text has inspired Berkeley to write some of his most passionate and theatrical music to date.
Summer Tour 2008
Saturday 31 May 7.30pm & Sunday 1 June, 2.30pm
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
A co promotion with the Guardian Hay Festival
Thursday 5 June 7.30pm
Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold
Thursday 19 June, 8pm
Oxford Playhouse
Saturday 19 July, 7.30pm
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Thursday 31 July, 8pm
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Autumn Tour 2008
28, 30 October, 1, 2 November
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
11 November
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
24 November
Gala Theatre, Durham
Performances: 31 May 2008 to 24 November 2008
Full Circle takes it's inspiration from the true story of Andrew Williams, a young man from South Wales, who climbed to Base Camp on Mount Everest in 1996. Through his circle of support and his own determination, Andrew, who has DownÅfs syndrome, achieved something that the majority of us would not even think about attempting.Full Circle is the triumphant story of a dependent person with an impossible dream. Or is the dream so impossible? After college ends, Andy finds himself alone; he no longer sees his friends, his world becomes smaller. But Andy has a dream...A BIG DREAM. A circle of friends is formed to give support but they find they have taken on a lifetime challenge in a way non of them anticipated - KEEPING A DREAM ALIVE!
Hijinx's Artistic Director, Gaynor Lougher directs a cast of five in the play, written by Glenys Evans with music by James Williams and design by Mary Drummond. Full Circle shows how an impossible dream can become a reality, and how a circle of friends can help overcome huge obstacles along the way.
The part of Andrew is played by Nick Wayland Evans and Gareth Clark. Gareth has DownÅfs syndrome and is a member of Odyssey Theatre, HijinxÅfs inclusive community group, where he has developed his drama skills. Gareth will be climbing his own Everest by being part of a professional touring production. It will be a challenging journey for him and an inspirational story for everyone.
Hijinx Theatre is one of the UK's leading small scale touring companies, with over twenty five years experience of producing theatre for people with learning disabilities and their communities. We offer the thrill of live theatre; bringing to life characters, themes and issues which are relevant, challenging and inspiring.
Hijinx will be performing right across Wales if you miss this performance, and also as part of the Unity/Undod Festival Inclusive Arts Festival at Wales Millennium Centre on 17th and 18th June.
Performances: 23 April 2008 to 27 June 2008
Macbeth - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
by William ShakespeareDirector Martin Houghton
Throughout history the cutting of the flesh and blood-letting are rituals performed to unleash demonic and supernatural powers.
Because the ‘life of the flesh is in the blood’ (Leviticus 17:11), the blood is highly valued in the occult as the ‘power source’. And by releasing or letting the blood supernatural power is unleashed…
Venue 2,
Sherman Cymru
Friday 23 – Saturday 31 May
Matinee: Thursday 29 May 2.30pm
£8, £6,
(£3.50 RWCMD students)
Suitable for 16 and over
Performances: 23 May 2008 to 31 May 2008
Chisenhale - April 11 and 13 2008 - Duetti and The Cuckoo's Nest
Muni Arts Centre - April 15 2008 - Duetti
Canolfan Ucheldre, Holyhead - April 19 2008 - The Cuckoo's Nest/Duetti/Silent But Violent
The Met, Abertillery - April 25 2008 - The Cuckoo's Nest/Duetti/Silent But Violent
The Gate, Cardiff - April 26th 2008 - The Cuckoo's Nest/Duetti/Silent But Violent
Dance Days, Taliesin - July 13th 2008 - Duetti
the cuckoo's nest
Although not a narrative of the film "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", the characterisation and content of the film plays a large part in the performance of the piece.
The dancers in abstracted motifs of movement overplay familiar scenes from the film like circle time and repetitive patterns of behaviour.
The cuckoo, a cunning trickster, lays her eggs in other birds' nests for them to hatch. Once out of the egg, the cuckoo fledgling dominates the other chicks, often killing them in order to survive. Always the odd one out, the cuckoo tricks the host mother, into believing him to be part of the clutch.
Stunning classical music, composed by new composers from The Hoxton13, forms an intricate web around the movement, allowing the movement and the music to sit side by side as entities.
Relationships are forged between the most unlikely people with a constant struggle for domination.
duetti
Accompanied by the haunting songs of Björk, Duetti is as the name implies, a series of duets. Sometimes working with the songs and other times existing as 2 separate elements, the dancers execute lyrical duets.
The organic nature of the songs from Medúlla refer to the purest essence of something and explore the ritual power of the voice in a way that's primal and elaborate. Several of the songs are sung in Icelandic, which work particularly well with movement. The rolling r's, guttural stops and elongated vowels reflect the alternately chopped and soaring arrangements behind them.
Unfettered sensuality winds through the songs, with Björk's voice being miked very closely giving the sense of listening to her from inside her larynx.
Choreographer, Sue Lewis inspired by the landscape of Northern Tuscany, has created the duets. Often jagged but occasionally silky and always stunning, the duets unfold in a seamless and intricate order, each one developing from its predecessor.
Performances: 11 April 2008 to 13 July 2008
The Importance of Being Earnest - Mappa Mundi
Mappa Mundi bring Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners to Wales’ Theatres. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
A TRIVIAL PLAY FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE
Mappa Mundi
"I hope you will enjoy my 'trivial' play. It is written by a butterfly for butterflies. [The play] has its philosophy . . . that we should treat all the trivial things seriously, and the serious things in life with sincere and studied triviality."
Oscar Wilde
Mappa Mundi, Wales’ much loved touring theatre company, bring one of Oscar Wilde’s most popular creations to life this spring, with a 26-date Wales tour starting at Theatr Mwldan on Thursday 10th April. This, the most popular and razor witted of Oscar Wilde’s social comedies is a brilliant demonstration of the dramatic diamond cutter’s art. Mappa Mundi’s brand new and perfectly honed production allows a modern audience to be dazzled by that brilliance.
Jack and Algy are in love with Gwendolen and Cecily, who both believe themselves to be in love with the non-existent Ernest. Add a handbag, an absent minded nanny and the redoubtable Lady Bracknell into the wonderful lunacy and symmetry of the plot and you have the ultimate satirical farce. Wilde’s sparkling one-liners shine through to skewer the manners and morals of the pretentious and those to the manor born.
In this stunning full period costumed adaptation of The Importance Of Being Earnest, Director and Costume Designer Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones has created a wicked, clever and brilliantly performed production with that bears all the quality Mappa Mundi trademarks, with the set, costume, music, and lighting displaying all the mechanics of theatre to elaborate perfection.
Mappa Mundi are one of the few theatre companies who are positively thriving in Wales at present. For fifteen years they have staged popular adaptations of classic tales, and with a cast boasting some of the best comedy actors in Wales, the company has established a strong reputation for invention and versatility. They continue to push boundaries by reviving their now infamous production of Canterbury Tales and sending it over the border for a six-week tour of more than 15 English theatres in autumn 2008 – a remarkable achievement for this Welsh company!
The Importance Of Being Earnest is the third of Mappa Mundi’s co-productions with Theatr Mwldan and Creu Cymru, funded by the Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Assembly Government under the Arts Outside Cardiff Scheme. Their partnership is helping to bring high quality touring theatre to a wider audience across Wales and the rest of the UK too.
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Audiences can look forward to a high quality and unique rendition of this, the most dazzling of comedies, from a company at the forefront of theatre in Wales. Make sure you catch them – this is a real gem!
The Importance of Being Earnest Wales Tour Dates:
April
Thurs 10 Theatr Mwldan CARDIGAN 01239 621200
Fri 11 Theatr Mwldan CARDIGAN 01239 621200
Sat 12 Theatr Mwldan CARDIGAN 01239 621200
Tues 15 Torch Theatr MILFORD HAVEN 01646 694192
Weds 16 Torch Theatr MILFORD HAVEN 01646 694192
Fri 18 The Grand Pavilion PORTHCAWL 01656 786996
Sat 19 The Welfare, YSTRADGYNLAIS 01639 843163
Tues 22 Theatr Gwynedd BANGOR 01248 351708
Weds 23 Theatr Gwynedd BANGOR 01248 351708
Thurs 24 Neuadd Dwyfor, PWLLHELI O1758 704088
Fri 25 Theatr Hafren NEWTOWN 01686 625007
Sat 26 Beaufort Theatre, EBBW VALE 01495 355800
Tues 29 Blackwood Miners, BLACKWOOD 01495 227206
Weds 30 Aberystwyth Arts Centre, ABERYSTWYTH 01970 623232
May
Thurs 1 Coliseum, ABERDARE 01685 88 11 88
Fri 2 Borough Theatre, ABERGAVENNY 01873 850805
Tues 6 Congress Theatre, CWMBRAN 01633 868239
Weds 7 Theatr Brycheiniog, BRECON 01874 611622
Thurs 8 Taliesin Arts Centre, SWANSEA 01792 60 20 60
Fri 9 Taliesin Arts Centre, SWANSEA 01792 60 20 60
Sat 10 Courtyard, HEREFORD 01432 346500
Tues 13 Theatr Stiwt RHOSLLANERCHRUGOG 01978 841300
Weds 14 Theatr y Sherman Theatre CARDIFF 029 2064 6900
Thurs 15 Theatr y Sherman Theatre CARDIFF 029 2064 6900
Fri 16 Barry Memorial Hall, BARRY 01446 738663
Sat 17 Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS 01982 552 555
Performances: 10 April 2008 to 17 May 2008
The Lazy Ant - Spectacle Theatre
The Lazy Ant by Mark Ryan"A marvellous piece of musical theatre… funny, scary, involving, imaginative and engaging, as fine an introduction to the power of the dramatic art as you could want." The Western Mail, 2001
Following its recent success at the 2007 Shanghai International Children’s Theatre Festival, for “The Best Production” and “The Best Script” Awards, Spectacle will be touring ’The Lazy Ant’ to schools and venues throughout Wales from February until the end of May.
’The Lazy Ant’ is a colourful, funny story of an ant who thinks she works too hard. We follow her adventures when she leaves the safety of the anthill and encounters the creatures outside.
Especially created for children aged 5+ (accompanied by an adult), ’The Lazy Ant’ is packed full of colourful characters, memorable music, songs and dance which makes it an absolute “must see”.
For further information, please contact Elaine Lord, Marketing Manager on 01443 430700, or elaine.lord@spectacletheatre.co.uk
Performances: 01 February 2008 to 30 May 2008
Tiger Country - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Written by Sharon Clark(A commissioned script in collaboration with the Watford Palace Theatre)
Director Joyce Branagh
In a British city, sometime at the dawn of the eighties,Malc, Dennis and Ruth are on the eve of a major event. Malc’s flyers are ruined, Dennis can’t rid himself of the woman in his flat and Ruth is on the verge of discovering that your friends aren’t always who you think…
As the following 24 hours unfold three stories of three seemingly random strangers intertwine as they are fatefully forced into a situation that can only have one outcome.
A new drama from Bristol-based writer Sharon Clark portraying three people’s life-changing fallout as the political and personal collide.
“Clark has an ear for dialogue and an ability to craft a play that sets her head and shoulders above many of her contemporaries.”
The Independent
Bute Theatre
Thursday 22 – 24 May, 7.30pm
Matinee: Saturday 24 May 2.30pm
On tour to Watford Palace
Friday 6 – Saturday 7th June
www.watfordtheatre.co.uk
Performances: 22 May 2008 to 07 June 2008
Trafaelu ar y Tren Glas - Rhosys Cochion
Portread o gyfnod tymhestlog canol oed pan fydd rhaid i fenyw wynebu herio’i chorff a’i henaid tra’n ceisio ymrafael â dirgelion bywyd a marwolaeth. Sut ma’ torri drwy’r haenau o gelwydd a chyfrinachedd er mwyn darganfod llwybrau newydd? Sut ma’ osgoi suddo o dan y don a diflannu o olwg y byd? Sut ma’ dod i delerau â’i hangerdd goruwchnaturiol a’n bwysicaf oll, sut ma’ osgoi troi’n llofrudd!!MaeTrafaelu ar y Tren Glas sy’n cael ei berfformio gan yr awdur Sharon Morgan a’i gyfarwyddo gan Catrin Edwards, yn ddarlun difyr a dwys o genhedlaeth sy’n gwrthod tyfu’n hen ac yn barchus cyn ymladd yr un frwydr olaf.
Taith y trên glas….
Nos Iau Mai 8fed @ 8yh Canolfan Gelfyddydau Chapter Caerdydd
(Swyddfa docynnau: 029 2030 4400)
Nos Wener Mai 9fed @ 8yh Canolfan Gelfyddydau Chapter Caerdydd
(Swyddfa docynnau: 029 2030 4400)
Nos Sadwrn Mai 10fed @ 7.30yh Theatr y Gromlech, Crymych
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01239 831455)
Nos Fercher Mai 14eg @ 7.30yh Canolfan y Tabernacl, Machynlleth
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01654 703355)
Nos Iau Mai 15fed @ 7.45yh Theatr y Lyric, Caerfyrddin
(Swyddfa docynnau: 0845 226 3509)
Nos Wener Mai 16eg @ 8yh Theatr Canolfan Gartholwg, Pentre’r Eglwys
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01443 219589)
Nos Sadwrn Mai 17eg @ 7.30yh Theatr Felinfach, Ciliau Aeron
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01570 470697)
Nos Fawrth Mai 20fed @ 7.30yh Neuadd Ysgol Gwaun Cae Gurwen
(Menter Iaith CNPT 01792 864949)
Nos Fercher Mai 21ain @ 7.30yh Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01758 704088)
Nos Iau Mai 22ain @ 7.30yh Theatr Gwynedd, Bangor
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01248 351708)
Nos Wener Mai 23ain @ 7.45yh Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Yr Wyddgrug
(Swyddfa docynnau: 0845 330 3565)
Nos Sadwrn Mehefin 14eg @ 7.30pm Neuadd yr Ysgol, Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
(Swyddfa docynnau: 01559 384528)
Am fwy o fanylion ffoniwch 02920457211 neu ebostiwch rhosyscochion@yahoo.co.uk
Performances: 08 May 2008 to 14 June 2008
Unreasonable Behaviour - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
4 tales from the Brothers GrimmAdapted by Greg Cullen
Director Emma Soar
Senior Design Tutor Bettina Reeves
Have you ever been locked in a tower and had nasty old ladies climb up your hair? Ever had your head cut off by your stepmother and then stuck back on again as if nothing’s happened? Or met a witch who wants to eat you? Perhaps you’ve come across an aging group of animals who are trying to form a band? No? Then you have no idea just how reasonable your lives are!
In the timeless, magical world of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, the imagination knows no bounds. Combine them with the legendary vision of the Royal Welsh College’s young puppet designers and be prepared to leave your reason at the door.
Wednesday 25 June 10am, 2pm
Thursday 26 June 10am, 2pm, 7.30pm
Friday 27 June 10am, 2pm, 7.30pm
Saturday 28 June 10am, 2pm
£6, £4
EARLY BOOKING ADVISED
Performances: 25 June 2008 to 28 June 2008