YOUNG singer-actor Jay Worley has excited the judges on Britain’s Got Talent, getting through to Boot Camp.Now you can see for yourself whether the 17 year old from Pontypridd has what it takes as an actor when he takes part in Emlyn Williams’ Night Must Fall, at Chapter Arts Centre which opens the new season of On the Edge script-held plays. The season of plays ranges from the biggest names in Welsh theatre to the new crop of bright writers – and also actors. In the seminal play Night Must Fall Jay plays Danny and is central to the success of the work and this special performance. The On the Edge series is curated by Michael Kelligan. The Cardiff-based actor-turned director is also this year celebrating 20 years with a new heart after a virus destroyed his health. Now Michael is using his 54 years experience in theatre and TV to bridge generation gaps and share that vast experience with today’s writers and actors. For the past seven years he has championed the work of new and established Welsh writers and writers based in Wales through his Welsh Fargo Stage Company’s On the Edge season and last year focussed on women writers including mothers and daughters who epitomised the long established and the more recently emerged. This year it is Back to the Boys with a new season of works about to start including some of Wales’ literary giants and the new crop of talented writers. So the season ranges from Emlyn Williams and Peter Gill to Alan Harris, who wrote A Good Night Out in the Valleys which formed the new National Theatre Wales’ first production, and Gary Owen. Michael explained why he chose these plays and writers, "Reading Night Must Fall was an early influence of my going into the theatre and it was all because I was so hopeless at rugby. I was a frail little fellow and I kept getting hurt. But after a game when the ball landed in my hands and I stood there not knowing what to do with it, I didn't get picked for the team any more. I took myself off to the local library every Wednesday afternoon and worked my way through the works of Emlyn Williams. After all this time I can still recall the thrill that went through my body as I took in those magic words. “Many years later, touring Cariad Creulan to Theatre Clwyd, as it then was, with that great Welsh actor Meredith Edwards playing the lead, luckily for me it coincided with the opening of the Emlyn Williams Theatre there. And the great man was there in person. He was presented with what looked to me like a rather dreary ceramic plaque. But it was a great thrill to stand so close to one of my heroes. “As a young actor I always used a speech of the leading character Dan as an audition piece. So I am even more thrilled to be able to produce the play now. ( I hope my method of production will be a bit freer that the method he used, apparently at the first rehearsal he would sit the cast down and read the play to them acting out all the parts, then say That is the way I want you to do it’. “I am looking forward to working with Jay who I have known for several years from other work we have done and he is a real talent. “In the second half of the season, in the autumn, I am including Peter Gill's Kick for Touch. This man, from Splott with his work at the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Court and as founding director of The Riverside studios, was a giant of the theatre in the 70s and still directs fine work today.” But he explains it is not only such legendary figures. “I have become great friends with and an admirer of the work of both Gary Owen and Alan Harris. They could be on the brink of becoming writers of the calibre of Emlyn Williams and Peter Gill of the new century."Newer writers Terry Victor, Gwynne Edwards and David Prince have given me fascinating and compelling scripts and may well have their first foot on the playwright's ladder and are ready to climb.” “The next stage in the company’s development is to aim at full productions to take some of these excellent productions on tour throughout Wales into England and even further afield to demonstrate the strength of Welsh theatre to the world.” Back to the Boys: Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams. Chapter, Cardiff, Tuesday, February 15; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wednesday, February 16. Nine Suitcases by David Prince. Chapter, Cardiff, Tuesday, March 8; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wednesday, March 9. The Perplexing Puzzle of the Pedigree Pet and the Policeman by Terry Victor. Chapter, Cardiff, Tuesday, April 26; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wednesday, April 27; The Riverfront, Newport, Thursday, April 28. Where Does Laughter Come From by Gwynne Edwards. Chapter, Cardiff, Tuesday, May 24; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wednesday, May 25; The Riverfront, Newport, Thursday, May 26. Kick For Touch by Peter Gill. Chapter, Wednesday, September 13; Dylan Thomas Centre Thursday, September 14; The Riverfront, Newport, Thursday, September 15. Orange by Alan Harris. Chapter, Cardiff, Tuesday, November 22; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wednesday, November 23; The Riverfront, Newport, Thursday, November 24; Trinity College Carmarthen Friday, November 25. |
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Sunday, February 13, 2011 |
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