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The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) today announced the names of the companies who will receive funding for the production of two touring main-stage Welsh language productions for 2003. The announcement is the first part of a concerted drive by the Arts Council of Wales to rejuvenate Welsh language Theatre. Following an invitation to tender, seven companies submitted applications. The following companies were selected by Council to stage their performances during 2003. Sgript Cymru will produce a stage version of Amdani, a play with music and songs derived from Bethan Gwanas' acclaimed novel and television series. The show centres on the story of a women's rugby team. The designated director is Clwyd Theatr Cymru's Associate Director, Tim Baker, who recently directed To Kill a Mockingbird and the stage adaptations of the Rape of the Fair Country trilogy based on the novels by Alexander Cordell. Theatr Gwynedd will produce a main-stage production of Dan-y-Wenallt, based on Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood. The production will coincide with the celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the poet's death. The productions will tour main-stage venues across Wales during 2003. These two productions are an interim measure while the Arts Council of Wales establishes a Welsh Language Theatre Company, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. This will be an independent producing company with an artistic leader to plan a programme of productions that will deliver an exciting and contemporary style of theatre, which has meaning and relevance but is also flexible enough to compete successfully with other media. This will mean taking advantage of the standard literary repertoire and also commissioning new work. Sybil Crouch, chairman of ACW says: "The standard of the submissions received by the Arts Council of Wales was exceptionally high, and augers well for the future of Welsh Language theatre in Wales. The funds available meant that only two productions could be staged next year, but such was the standard of the other applications, we will be passing them on to Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru when it is established. "This is the first step in what we hope will be a much-needed rejuvenation of Welsh-language theatre in Wales." |
| Arts Council of Wales web site: www.artswales.org.uk |
| Iwan Williams e-mail: iwan.williams@artswales.org.uk |
Friday, July 12, 2002 |
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