Clwyd Theatr Cymru brings their new production of Alexander Cordell’s Rape of the Fair Country to the New Theatre, Cardiff from Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 March. This compelling drama that captures a family's role in their nation's turbulent past is directed by Tim Baker, Associate Director of Clwyd Theatr Cymru. It is 1826 in the Valleys of South Wales. The Mortymers are a Welsh family caught in the bitter crossfire between their English employers and the early trade union movement. Morfydd opposes the changes transforming their beautiful valley, but her easy-going brother Iestyn and his best friend Mo Jenkins are more concerned with winning punch-ups… and women! Packed with music, wry humour and fervent intensity, Rape of the Fair Country is gripping drama. The all-Welsh company of sixteen is led by Clwyd Theatr Cymru Associates Hedydd Dylan, Kai Owen and Christian Patterson. Hedydd who plays Morfydd won an Ian Charleson Award for her Eliza Doolittle in the Clwyd production of Pygmalion. Last year she played Rosalind in As You Like It and in 2011 Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, both directed by Terry Hands. She has also recently starred as Regan in King Lear, directed by Ian Brown at West Yorkshire Playhouse, as Helena in The Fairy Queen at Glyndebourne, directed by Jonathan Kent. Hedydd is an Associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Kai Owen plays Idris. Originally from Llanrwst and also an Associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, his work in Mold includes Charles, the Wrestler in As You Like It, directed by Terry Hands. On TV he played Ken Watling in Waterloo Road and is best known as series regular Rhys in the hit BBC series Torchwood. Tomos Trehearn is played by Christian Patterson. His most recent role in Mold was Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross. Last year he was Touchstone, the Jester, in As You Like It. Christian's West End roles include Mr Bumble in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Lt. Trotter in the hit production RC Sherriff's Journey's End at The Duke of York's theatre and on a national tour. Other work includes Nicely, Nicely Johnson in the Donmar Warehouse touring production of Guys and Dolls. The cast also includes Phylip Harries as Dai Probert, Tomos Eames as Mo Jenkins, Crisian Emanuel as Mama, Michael Geary as Iolo Milk, Carwyn Glyn as Jethro, Charlotte Gray as Polly/Mari, Sion Ifan as Iestyn, Victoria John as Mrs Philips, Gwawr Loader as Edwina, Dyfrig Morris as Big Rhys, Simon Nehan as Dada, Elin Phillips as Gwennie Lewis and Sion Pritchard as Dafydd Philips. First published in 1959, Rape of the Fair Country topped the best seller lists in Britain and went on to become an international hit, being published in seventeen languages worldwide. Following its success Alexander Cordell continued the story of the Mortymer family in the follow up novels The Hosts of Rebecca and Song of the Earth. Manon Eames has adapted Rape of the Fair Country for the stage. She is a writer, actress and presenter. Her film Eldra won many national and international awards, including five BAFTA Cymru awards – one of which was Best Drama. Her extensive contribution to the cultural life of Wales was recognized when she was a finalist for the Welsh Woman of the Year Award in 2002. She wrote Porth y Byddar and Drowned Out for Clwyd Theatr Cymru, where she is an Associate. Manon continues to appear as series regular Di Williams in the BBC's Pobol y Cwm. Rape of the Fair Country is directed by Tim Baker, Associate Director at Clwyd Theatr Cymru. Tim has directed numerous hit productions in Mold and on tour including To Kill A Mockingbird, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Great Expectations. Tim commented "Alexander Cordell's vision of Wales and the working classes fighting for change in Rape of the Fair Country is brilliantly reflected in Manon Eames' stage adaptation. The tensions between the "old" - who believed "As poor we must labour" and the "new" - fighting for a voice through unionism and negotiation – are present throughout. For me as a director the political landscape provides the opportunity to create sweeping action across the wide canvas of the stage, but more importantly the fact that Cordell injects these tensions and rifts right into the heart of the central family in the story makes for heartbreaking explorations of character, loyalty and separation. In a series of violent and thrilling clashes it shows the full force of the struggles between the ironmasters and those who slaved for them. It is revolutionary, radical and rebellious whilst at the same time demonstrating a sensitivity that is touching, charming and at times hilarious. In Rape of the Fair Country we hear a truly Welsh voice crying out for freedom, self expression and equality, something sadly rarely seen or heard of on our major stages in Wales. Our history is full of proud moments of change and emancipation, and it is a real privilege to translate these into epic theatre through Cordell's and Eames's words and vision." Rape of the Fair Country is at the New Theatre from Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 March. Tickets are on sale now with prices from £8.50 to £25.00. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. All tickets subject to a 50p Seating Improvement Contribution and online sales carry a small additional transaction charge Rape of the Fair Country New Theatre, Cardiff Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 March Evenings 7.30pm; Thursday & Saturday Matinees 2.30pm Tickets: £8.50 - £25.00 Box Office: 029 2087 8889 Book Online: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
| New Theatre, Cardiff web site: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
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Monday, February 18, 2013 |
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