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BAFTA WINNING ACTOR REVEALS WELSH STATESMAN’S COLOURFUL PERSONAL LIFE |
BAFTA-winning actor Richard Elfyn explores the mind and moods of the great Welsh statesman David Lloyd George in a unique new play which reveals a surprising amount of mystery, poetry and a great deal of humour. As the inventor of the British welfare state, Lloyd George’s impact on Britain is never far from the news and remains a crucial reference point for modern politicians: In 1921 he secured the settlement that established the Irish Free State and in the summer of 1922, Lloyd George was involved in a scandal involving the selling of knighthoods and peerages. In Alastair Campbell’s diaries, published recently, the Labour spin doctor quotes Tony Blair describing Gordon Brown as “a Lloyd George figure, had massive qualities but was flawed”. As Britain heads into a new pensions crisis, the man who a century ago introduced the state pension is as fascinating as ever. The title of the play stems from the three nicknames given by the Press to a leader who took coalition government and political scandal in his stride and still found time for a colourful personal life. He was a giant of 20th Century global politics, yet his life poses many unanswered questions: How could this impoverished Welsh-speaking chapel boy become the steely Prime Minister who saw Britain through the First World War? How could the champion of non-conformist Christianity become a womaniser who lived a double life with his long-term mistress? How could this protector of the poor risk so much to advance his own personal wealth? The setting for Britton’s fictional drama is Antibes in the south of France at the time of Lloyd George’s 50th wedding anniversary. From there, his imagination travels the length of his life history, and relishes the thought of further personal and political conquests. Written and directed by international award winning dramatist D.J.Britton , The Wizard, the Goat and the Man who won the War is the result of a lengthy collaboration between writer and actor. Said Britton: “Lloyd George is a dramatist’s dream, a mass of contradictions: charismatic, intelligent, foolish, impulsive, clinically decisive and painfully human. It may be a one-man play, but don’t expect a monologue. Richard becomes all the people in Lloyd George’s world and somehow manages to sing and dance his way into the great man’s soul. “It’s been a great privilege working with such a committed actor who seems to find reserves of energy from nowhere….. apparently Lloyd George could do that too. My favourite bit is where Richard as Lloyd George gets the War Cabinet to sing Myfanwy. It’s a glorious piece of performance. I can say without doubt that it’s a fantastic night out...the fact that it’s about a politican doesn't mean that its heavy with politics -- it's about human frailty, and Richard has turned it into a real tour de force, very funny and hugely moving. It's LIVE theatre...and there's a real buzz about this one.” The Wizard, the Goat and the Man who won the War can be seen at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven on Tuesday 15 November after which it continues its tour of Wales. Full details and tickets are available online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or by calling the Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267. |
| Torch Theatre, Milford Haven web site: www.torchtheatre.co.uk |
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011 |
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