Following a successful bid to the Arts Council of Wales, Neath-based theatre company Theatr na nÓg is thrilled to announce it will be embarking on a UK Tour of TOM: A story of Tom Jones.
This theatre production with live rock n roll music will embark on its UK tour on St David’s Day 2014 (1 March) in Tom’s home-town of Pontypridd at the Muni Arts Centre. It will be 49 years to the day that Tom had his first number 1!
The show will celebrate Tom’s early career and hard graft in the lead up to his rise to success and the hit number 1 single, It’s Not Unusual. Theatr na nÓg in association with Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot Theatres will tell the story of the Welsh legend and Valleys boy with an extraordinary talent.
Tom has been through many makeovers during his time at the top of the charts. From his hip-swivelling and pelvis thrusting moves and collaborations with some of Wales’ and the world’s most successful artists right through to his cool, stylish demeanour on The Voice. But what was Tom like in the 60's at the start of his career? Known then as Tommy Woodward from Treforest. TOM will offer you a glimpse into his early life and career in the Valleys.
Born Thomas John Woodward, on 7 June 1940 in Treforest, the Welsh singer is known worldwide for his voice and for selling over 100 million records. He was awarded an OBE in 1999 and knighted by the Queen in 2006. Everyone has heard of him, but how many people know about his past life before he rose to fame?
Writer Mike James is eagerly looking forward to seeing his work on stage.
‘ I first got the idea for this show curiously enough when listening to the great man talking on the Desert Island Discs. Here was a perfectly down to earth valleys boy talking about life in Wales much as I remember it myself. And yet he became one of the world’s greatest superstars! I wanted to know just exactly how that came about,’ explained Mike.
He concluded, ‘ What I discovered was a fascinating story of gritty determination, hardship and incredible good fortune that finally set Tom on his way to fame and glory. It was a tale worth telling -as I hope all who see this production will agree!’
Theatr na nÓg's Artistic Director, Geinor Styles is delighted to be directing this theatre piece that sees the audience being given the opportunity to delve into the history of Tom.
' With a live band on stage - the production is infectious, emotional and gritty. It tells the story of the blossoming talent of Tom Jones who sings in pubs and clubs up and down the South Wales valleys, his hard graft and tenacity to succeed until his big break in 1965.'
Geinor added, ' Mike James (originally from Ebbw Vale) gave us the English language script in 2012. It was a complete script and it's so obvious that Mike is very enthusiastic and passionate about it. In 2012, we presented a workshop version and the response was incredible. A year on, we are delighted to be given the opportunity to share this inspirational tale.’
Geoff Cripps, Artistic Director at RCT Theatres commented, “RCT Theatres is delighted to be co-producing TOM with Theatr na nÓg and Neath Port Talbot Theatres. The subject is an absolutely perfect fit for us given that the living legend is a local boy gone global! The Muni Arts Centre and the whole of the Cultural Services/RCT Theatres team can’t wait to host the premiere – it’ll be a St. David’s Day and Week for RCT like no other – UNUSUAL in fact!”
This production will be on the road from March 1st 2014 and will visit these venues.
Tom Tour Schedule
Feb 3 - Feb 28 Rehearsals (photo opportunities for media)
March 1 - 8 Muni Pontypridd
March 12 - 15 Lyric Carmarthen
March 17 - 22 Rhyl Pavillion
March 26 - 29 Gardyne Theatre Dundee
March 31 - April 5 Theatre Royal Windsor
April 7 - 12 Gwyn Hall Neath
April 21 – May 4 New Wolsey Ipswich
BIOGRAPHIES:
Mike James – Script Writers a former Artistic Director of the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven – two of Wales' leading repertory theatres. Over a period of 2
Mike is a former Artistic Director of the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven – two of Wales' leading repertory theatres. Over a period of 20 years he directed and wrote over 60 productions with these companies before moving to Glasgow to join the staff at STV. For the past 15 years he's been working extensively in children's TV as a freelance writer/producer, notably for the BBC where his many credits include Old Jack's Boat, Zingzillas, Waybuloo, Gigglebiz and Something Special. His recent stage works include Mathew's Passion, a drama about an autistic boy living in a religious family which was premiered in July, and the musical Tom based on the early life of Tom Jones which will tour the UK early next year.
Mike is a former Artistic Director of the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven – two of Wales' leading repertory theatres. Over a period of 20 years he directed and wrote over 60 productions with these companies before moving to Glasgow to join the staff at STV. For the past 15 years he's been working extensively in children's TV as a freelance writer/producer, notably for the BBC where his many credits include Old Jack's Boat, Zingzillas, Waybuloo, Gigglebiz and Something Special. His recent stage works include Mathew's Passion, a drama about an autistic boy living in a religious family which was premiered in July, and the musical Tom based on the early life of Tom Jones which will tour the UK early next year.
Geinor Styles - Director
Geinor Styles was born in Merthyr Tydfil. In 1988 she spent the summer teaching drama in California, and then attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to study stage management. Geinor graduated in 1991 and worked with Dalier Sylw before joining Theatre West Glamorgan (now Theatr na nÓg) as their resident stage manager.
In 1996 she was given her first opportunity to direct with the award winning play Spam Man at the National Eisteddfod in Bala for Dalier Sylw. Geinor became the Artistic Director of Theatr na nÓg in 1998, and since then has directed over 30 productions for the company - from Cyrano to Cider with Rosie; from a one-man show about a the theory of evolution to musicals about a sexy Welsh singer! Geinor has written 15 plays including You Should Ask Wallace, which has just completed a year long tour of the UK and a residency in Rio de Janeiro and Singapore. Geinor lives in Cardiff with her husband Eric, and their two boys Elliot and Gabriel.
Ben Goddard - Musical Director
Training: Guildford School of Acting
BA Hons in Music from Leeds University
As an Actor: Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet (Whatsonstage Award Nomination Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Noel Coward Theatre West End. Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard (Olivier nomination best Company Performance) Comedy Theatre West End and Watermill Theatre, Newbury. Arnauld Du Tihl in Martin Guerre, Watermill Theatre. Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar National and European Tour. Also for Andrew Lloyd Webber created the role of Del Copeland and went on to play John Kelly in The Beautiful Game, Cambridge Theatre. Detective Sergeant Trotter in The Mouse Trap, St Martins Theatre.
Edward Ireton in Two Cities Salisbury Playhouse for Howard Goodhall, Juan in Murderous Instincts, Savoy Theatre, Damien in Old Big 'Ead in the Spirit of the Man, Nottingham Playhouse & Tour, Sanders-Draper in The Good Intent, and Tom in The Glass Menagerie both at Queens Theatre, Hornchurch, Charles B Cochrane in Over my Shoulder, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Paris in Romeo and Juliet, ensemble in Oh, What a Lovely War and Amiens in As You Like It all at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Horatio in Hamlet & Friar Francis in Much Ado About Nothing Ludlow Festival, Inigo Jollifont in The Good Companions, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Dandini in Cinderella --The Panto with Soul, Theatre Clwyd, Balthazar in Much Ado About Nothing, Royal Exchange Manchester and Boy in Kiss the Sky, Shepherds Bush Empire.
Television & Film include: Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd, Lt Walton in The Somme: From Defeat to Victory BBC, Crispin Yates in Trial & Retribution BBC, Neville in London Bridge Carlton Television & Guy in Bugs BBC. Demon in Gulliver's Travels with Jack Black.
Ben has Musically Directed countless shows all over the UK and abroad. He has also written music for plays at Nottingham Playhouse, Derby Playhouse, and arranged music for many other productions nationwide. He wrote a musical version of Two Gentlemen of Verona which was performed in Seoul, South Korea. He also Musically Directed Little Shop of Horrors at Birmingham Rep Theatre. For the last 10 years Ben has been working as Musical Director for the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Mods and Rox, and many Rock'n'Roll Pantos .
Sean Crowley – Designer
Sean studied theatre design at Wimbledon School of Art, graduating in 1985 and then worked across the design spectrum, as a designer and assistant designer, in Opera, Dance, Theatre, film and television.
In 1993, he left London and returned to Wales to live in Swansea with his wife and four children. Over the past 18 years, he has designed over 150 productions for companies across UK and Europe. Including, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Wales Theatre Company, The Tron Theatre, Glasgow, The Grand Theatre, Swansea, The Torch Theatre, Milford, The Sherman Theatre Cardiff, Theatr Y Byd, Theatr Nanog, Script Cymru, The Hampstead Theatre London, The Soho Theatre London, The Birmingham Stage Company, Northampton Theatre Royal, St Pauli Theater Hamburg, The Hamburger Kammerspieler the Theater am Kurfürstendamm, Berlin, and The Danish Royal Opera.
He became Head of Design at The Royal Welsh College of Music, Drama in 1999 and was made an honorary fellow of the College in 2007. In 2008, he became Director of Drama, and in 2010, he became an Associate Director of the Torch theatre Milford Haven
He was Chair of the Association of Theatre Design Courses for 9 years, is a member of the Linbury Prize committee, and as Vice Chair of the OISTAT Education Commission, was Project Leader and designer for the Prague Quadrennial international student festival Scenofest, in 2007. In March 2011 he was the exhibition designer for the Society of British Theatre Designers national exhibition Transformation & Revelation held at RWCMD in Cardiff, March 2011. He became Chair of the Society of British Theatre Designers in September 2011 and has now working as the Project Leader for World Stage Design 2013 which will also be held in Cardiff.
Mike Beer - Sound Design
Mike started his career at the Sherman Theatre Cardiff in 1986. Since then he has toured theatre and corporate events worldwide with companies including DV8 Physical Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, Bristol Old Vic, Diversions Dance, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Birmingham Stage, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Act Productions, Fiery Angel, Theatre Gwynedd, Imagination, Sony, and Ford Motor Car Company.
Mike's designs include: Coasting and Treasure Island (Bristol Old Vic), A Provincial Life, The Passion, Love Steals Us From Loneliness, The Persians, The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning, In Water I'm Weightless, Coriolan/us and Branches (National Theatre Wales), Deffro'r Gwanwyn (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), BFG (Fiery Angel), Great Expectations (Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Desire Lines, The Borrowers and Merlin (The Sherman Theatre Company), The Firework Maker's Daughter and Danny the Champion of the World (Birmingham Stage Company), Single Spies, Legal Fictions and The Importance of Being Earnest (The Theatre Royal Bath), Don Quixote (West Yorkshire Playhouse).
Much of Mike's work for the last 5 years has been with Stage Sound Services, working as Sound Designer and Project Manager on theatre and corporate events.
Ceri James - Lighting Design
Ceri trained at WCMD and has designed lighting for National Theatre Wales, The Torch Theatre, University of Southern California, Catrin Finch, The Sherman Theatre, Fiery Angel, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Birmingham Stage Company, Colchester Mercury Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse, Oxford Touring Theatre, Unicorn Theatre London, National Youth Theatre Wales, Derby Playhouse, Leicester Haymarket, Dalier Sylw,
Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Theatr na n'Óg, Dragons Breath Theatre, FAB Theatre, Shock n Awe, New Vic Theatre, Theatr Bara Caws, Hijinx Theatre, Made in Wales and BBC NOW. He worked for 8 years as production manager for Cardiff Festival and is a founding member of Mappa Mundi Theatre, and has worked on many of their productions for the past 20 years.
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