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STARS IN TRIBUTE TO GWENT THEATRE
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Shakespeare’s Henry V featured in the benefit concert Voices for Youth at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.
Members of Gwent Young People’s Theatre opened the show with the prologue and the compere Matthew Woodyatt, Gareth David Lloyd and Gary Meredith, artistic director of Gwent Theatre have all taken part in productions about the king who was born in Monmouth.
It was the first large-scale production by GYPT and was re-staged in the 90’s at Monmouth Castle.
Matthew Woodyatt went on to train at the Rose Bruford College and is a professional actor and singer. The stars taking part were a testament to Gwent Theatre. Matthew said all had told him that it was seeing Gwent Theatre in school when they were children that was the spur to their
careers.
He was recently in Much Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre and says he still remembers the thrill of seeing Midsummer Night’s Dream at the age of nine.
The dazzling line-up were all former members of GYPT or associated with Gwent Theatre.
Caroline Sheen (Mamma Mia, The Witches of Eastwick, Les Miserables, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins) partnered Matt Addis, TV and stage actor (When Harry Met Sally and All My Sons) in a scene from Noel Coward’s Private Lives.
Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto Jones in BBC’s Torchwood) raised the roof with his progressive metal band Blue Gillespie and Nia Lynn (2010 Globe Music Jazz Singer of the year nominee) was wonderful with her own arrangement of songs from Threepenny Opera,The Royal Hunt of the Sun and A Child’s Christmas in Wales.
Also taking part were Daniel Morden (professional storyteller and author who has told tales all over the world, from the Arctic to the Pacific); harpist and singer Bethan Nia (winner of the coveted Danny Kyle award at Celtic Connections and frequent festival performer including Glastonbury) who sang Welsh folk songs; Ros Dalby who read from In Search of Wales by H.V. Morton and Patricia King in a scene as Lily Smalls from Under Milk Wood. Ros and Patricia are the daughters of Mel Thomas who founded Gwent Young Peop[le’s Theatre in 1956
A newly formed choir for children and young people Cor y Fenni, also performed along with GYPT members and Gwent Theatre’s own Gary Meredith and Jain Boon.
• Gwent Theatre is campaigning to reverse the Arts Council of Wales decision to cut funding for theatre in education. The company, established 35 years ago, takes productions to 22,000 children and young people across Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Newport, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly. It has the backing of all Gwent MPs and Assembly Members and the Welsh Assembly’s Petitions Committee is considering the case.
For more information please contact Gwent Theatre at 01873 853167
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Sunday, March 13, 2011 |
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