Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) last night (24 April 2006) announced the launch of a new scheme, The Incubator Project, which aims to nurture, develop and encourage emerging talent and new work across a range of art forms in Wales. Three arts companies in Wales, which include Theatre na n’Og, Antic Corporation and Llwyfan Gogledd Cymru, have been selected to participate in the first year of the project and has been made possible with the support of the Colwinston Charitable Trust. WMC Programming and Marketing Director, Fiona Allan, says, “One of our ambitions is to be a literal furnace of inspiration - a place where new Welsh work can be developed and premiered. We are extremely grateful to the Colwinston Charitable Trust in enabling WMC to launch The Incubator Project and proud that we will be showcasing three new works this coming Autumn, less than two years after opening our doors.” One of the companies to take advantage of this new scheme is Theatr na n’Og, formely known as Theatre West Glamorgan until 2000. Specialising primarily in children’s theatre, Theatr na n’Og will break the mould when they start work on a musical comedy aimed at adults. Swansea based Antic Corporation on the other hand will concentrate their efforts on the work and life of Ystradgynlais based Polish Artist, the late Josef Herman. Herman, who escaped the arrival of the German army in his homeland, fled to Europe at the beginning of World War Two and finally settled in Ystradgynlais. The third and final company, Llwyfan Gogledd Cymru, will develop a themed event based upon Wales’s relationship with the myth and fact of war. Nid oes gennym hawl ar y ser by Iwan Llwyd, will deal with the final days in the life of celebrated Welsh poet, Hedd Wyn. Each company will have access to WMC rehearsal space, the Weston Studio for a period of intensive creative development and WMC staff for advice in the areas of technical production, marketing, media liaison and sponsorship if required. WMC will also work closely with the participating companies to give them an insight into the demands of other venues across the UK and provide them with useful consortium links in Wales, England and Scotland. Wales Millennium Centre’s second theatre, the Weston Studio, complements the larger-scale productions on the main stage, the Donald Gordon Theatre. The size and technical facilities of the Studio allows WMC to showcase more experimental and niche works, enabling WMC to work with both established innovative performance groups and new talent emerging both inside Wales and across the world. Last month, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) announced its 12 month sponsorship of the Weston Studio which will provide its students with benefits such as professional training projects, a showcase stage, artist talks and privileged access to performances for students and staff. This project has been further supported by Arts & Business Cymru as part of their ‘New Partners’ investment scheme. <b>About Theatr na n’Og</b> Formely Theatre West Glamorgan until 2000, the company have been producing high quality theatre for young people in English and Welsh for over twenty years. The companies’ artistic policy is based on the idea that theatre is a living medium that entertains, educates, challenges and motivates the whole person of all ages. Theatre must be relevant to the life of communities and persons, so that it can reflect them, while simultaneously communicating their essence to others. The company will create productions and projects in Welsh and English that entertain and educate children and young people of all ages, enhancing and encouraging their perception of theatre as a vibrant medium that is relevant to them. Young people will be encouraged also to participate in the craft of creating theatre and to develop a love of the theatre that will make them conscious of its magic. <b>About Antic Corporation</b> Antic Corporation was set up in January 2004, by Michael Waters and Nikki Neale, based in Swansea. The Company aims to provide high quality, visual theatre with a particular interest in new writing and work directly inspired from within the community. The first project was a tour of a new play, Gull, written by Michael Waters, performed at The Depot Studio at the Grand Theatre, Swansea and Chapter Arts Centre. The success of this project resulted in a commission from the newly formed Swansea Fringe Festival and the publication of the play by Script Cymru and The Welsh Book Council. Autumn 2004 saw the production of Gary Owens Crazy Gary's Mobile Disco, which further enhanced companies reputation for inventive and immediate theatre. <b>About Llwyfan Gogledd Cymru</b> Llwyfan Gogledd Cymru is an Arts Council Wales revenue client funded to produce theatre in the north for the north, the whole of Wales and beyond. When Cwmni Theatr Gwynedd and Theatr Gwynedd split into receiving house and separate production company, the new board for Cwmni Theatr Gwynedd took the opportunity to re-brand and redefine the company ethos. Under the chairmanship of Nic Parry and Artistic Directorship of Ian Rowlands, Llwyfan Gogledd Cymru has specialised in creating provocative multi lingual theatre which attempts to place the Welsh cultural experience into a broader perspective. |
| Wales Millennium Centre web site: www.wmc.org.uk |
| esther eckley e-mail: esther.eckley@wmc.org.uk |
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 |
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