This week, the community cast of Chwalfa will meet for the first time to begin rehearsals. Today (15 July 2014) Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru will meet the community who are a part of Chwalfa at Capel Jerusalem, Bethesda for a welcome meeting and to start on rehearsals. Chwalfa, a production by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru in partnership with Pontio and Cwmni’r Frân Wen, will be the first to be performed at Theatr Bryn Terfel, part of Pontio’s new Arts and Innovation Centre in Bangor, in September 2014. Chwalfa tells the story of the Graet Strike at Penrhyn Quarry in the Ogwen Valley - the longest ever strike in the history of the United Kingdom - that lasted three years between 1900 and 1903. The play is an adaption by Gareth Miles of T Rowland Hughes’s novel, and the production will include professional actors as well as members of the local community. There will be up to 50 people from the local community as part of the community cast, which will contain an ensemble, chorus and musicians – this following an audition process that was held in Bethesda and Bangor recently. The community cast, which will include people of all ages, will begin rehearsals this week before the professional cast start in the second week of August. A preview of Chwalfa (the first performance in front of an audience) will be on the 17th of September before the official opening night on the 18th of September. Arwel Gruffydd, Artistic Director at Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru said: “Having the chance to create the very first production to be staged at Theatr Bryn Terfel is a tremendous priviledge, and a unique opportunity to create an event that people will remember, hopefully, for a very long time to come. It’s also a priviledge to work with the community of Dyffryn Ogwen and the surrounding area to achieve this. We’ve had a warm welcome in the area already,y when we launched the project at Capel Jerusalem back in June. It’s very exciting now that we as a company can start rehearsals with community after much anticipation and preparation.” As well as the community rehearsals, rehearsals for Chwarel, Cwmni’r Frân Wen’s participatory project under the ‘Brain’ banner are also starting in Bethesda this week. Chwarel is a project for young people between 13 and 25, which relates to Chwalfa. Various people from the theatre industry will lead various sessions over the next three weeks, and the aim is to create a piece of work to perform on the 30th July. Ffion Haf, Chwarel Manager and also Assistant Director on Chwalfa said: “The first step is to hold writing, designing, technology, performance and marketing sessions lead by professional and experienced artists. These sessions will lead to a period of rehearsals and further training with the young people.” Chwalfa tickets are selling fast. They can be booked by contacting Pontio: www.pontio.co.uk / 01248 383828 |
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014 |
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