Welsh writers are coming together for one night of explosive theatre reacting to MTV’s The Valleys. The seven Valleys writers have each been commissioned by theatre company Dirty Protest to write a series of new short plays based on their hometowns. Seven writers, seven plays, seven chances to put offer the world a glimpse of The Real Valleys. Tim Price, Olivier-award nominated playwright and co-founder of Dirty Protest said, “I'm delighted Dirty Protest is able to offer an alternative view of The Valleys than MTV's crass, sneering and exploitative show. “For anyone who knows the Valleys' history, this is yet another example of big business exploiting the people of this region. Market forces have robbed the valleys of all its resources and the only thing we have left is our pride. And MTV is trying to take that. For Tim, who’s new series Switch starring Lacey Turner and Hannah Tointon starts on ITV2 on Monday October 15, this an important evening to try and rebuild some of the reputation of the Valleys and its inhabitants which he feels is being tarnished by the MTV programme. The Aberdare-born writer said, “I have nothing against the people in the show, in fact, if someone exploited, manipulated and commodified me in my 20s I'm sure I wouldn't look too dissimilar. The people who need to be ashamed of themselves are the producers, who think the only thing young people from the Valleys are good for is humiliating. “Dirty Protest will host a night packed with Valleys talent, with writers, actors and directors all from the Valleys, and we hope to show MTV and its fans that life in the Valleys is more nuanced, complex and rich than MTV's artless effort.” And Tim is not alone. As soon as the fringe theatre company announced they were producing this evening of short 3-10 minute plays they have been inundated with support and interest from writers who wanted to be included. Award-winning author Rachel Trezise, from Treorchy, won the Dylan Thomas Prize for her debut collection of short stories Fresh Apples and her current novel is Sixteen Shades of Crazy. This will be her first play. She said, “I decided to take part because I think it's important that storytellers and creatives do as much as they can at this time to represent the parts of the valleys being neglected by MTV. There's plenty of talent and positivity here and we need to shout about it.” And for her, being born in the Valleys has offered her a wealth of experiences. “The Valley's are my own corner of the earth. They've taught me every little thing, horrible and beautiful, that I know about the world.” She will be joined by poet and playwright Patrick Jones - brother to Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire, actor and writer Alun Saunders, Kelsey Richards. Writer Carmen Stephens, from Lluest – in the Garw Valley, who’s new play The Utah Bride from 1.618 Theatre is touring Wales in November, is also writing for the night. Actor and writer Sam Bees, who was born and lives in Treorchy in the Rhondda Valley, is the last writer and has been dismayed by the bad press his hometown has been getting. He said, “The thought of the place were born, where your family, friends and partners live being turned into a national joke is an upsetting prospect to say the least. I have only ever seen my hometown as a wonderful, awe-inspiring place, rich in history. And have felt privileged to have such beauty on my doorstep from which to draw inspiration for my work. “And although I may be looking at it from an insider’s point of view, I don’t feel that we have been fairly represented by MTV.” After working with Dirty Protest in the past he relished the chance to write a new play for the company. He said, “Dirty Protest have for several years now been at the forefront of innovative new writing and guerrilla-style theatre in Wales. “They are current, exciting and refreshing in their approach, and offer a platform for up and coming writers as well as those already established within the industry. “They have been a pleasure to work with in the past, and so the opportunity to work on something as ‘close to home’ as this was a no-brainer for me.” The writers have four weeks to write their plays which will be performed at the Bunkhouse, Cardiff on Thursday October 25. There will be two performances at 7.30pm and 9pm. Tickets £5 For information/press/tickets email info@dirtyprotesttheatre.co.uk About Dirty Protest Dirty Protest is Cardiff’s leading fringe theatre company. Launched in 2007 the company has worked with over a 100 Welsh writers, staging new sell-out plays in alternative venues, from pubs and clubs, to kebab shops, hairdressers and a forest! Ever since it has been drawing attention to itself, shaking up the arts world along the way. If you don’t believe us The Guardian called Dirty Protest “cracking” and The Big Issue “spellbinding”. We put on established and wannabe writers on the same platform creating new work and new writing We are Tim Price, Mared Swain, Claire Hill, Ellie Carter, Matthew Bulgo, Catherine Paskell In the past 12 months, we have produced 31 plays - 1 full length, and 30 shorts and had a run of sell out shows at Sherman Cyrmu with the Welsh premiere of Dennis Kelly’s After the End. The writers Alun Saunders From: Cimla in Neath and went to school in Neath and Ystalyfera in the Swansea Valleys. Currently rehearsing 'The Snow Tiger' with Mared Swain at Sherman Cymru. He is in the middle of writing some stand-up material ready for his second ever stand-up gig and is writing an episode of a cartoon for CITV & S4C. Rachel Tresize From: Treorchy. Her debut novel In and Out of the Goldfish Bowl won the Orange Futures Award in 2001. Her debut collection of short stories Fresh Apples won the inaugural Dylan Thomas Prize in 2006. Her debut non-fiction work Dial M for Merthyr won the Max Boyce Prize in 2010. Her current novel is Sixteen Shades of Crazy. Her second collection of stories Cosmic Latte will be published by Parthian in 2013. Tim Price From: Aberdare Tim Price is an Olivier-nominated writer. The former journalist from the South Wales Valleys writes for stage and television and co-runs Dirty Protest. Tim’s latest work will be ITV2‘s drama Switch, starring Lacey Turner and Hannah Tointon, which he created and co-wrote with Chloe Moss. The first episode airs October 15. Kelsey Richards From: Maesteg Kelsey is due to start the BBC Production Trainee scheme and has written for Scratch that Itch and Spread the Word with Sherman Cymru Theatre. Patrick Jones From: Tredegar The poet and writer has also directed music videos and short film for Manic Street Preachers. His published works include Tongues for a Stammering Tim and Darkness is Where The Stars Are, and his plays include Everything Must Go, Revelation and A Lament for Moths featuring a soundtrack by James Dean Bradfield Sam Bees From: Treorchy He studied acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and since his graduation in 2007 has also worked as a writer and playwright. Carmen Stephens From: Lluest in Garw Valley @1618theatrefilm Carmen’s play The Utah Bride will be touring South Wales, West and the Valley’s in November – as part of 1.618 Theatre. Set in the Garw Valley after the mine closures it’s about the need/urgency to leave the Valleys, thinking there’s something better on the other side than a village with one road in one road out...but realising that where you’re from is who you are and that you should never forget your roots. Carmen recently began working with Robin Soans and Max Stafford Clarke on a play about Bridgend. Lectures Writing and Drama at Bridgend College and founded The Writers Forum at Sherman Cymru. |
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Saturday, October 6, 2012 |
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