Gwent Young People’s Theatre (formerly Gwent Theatre)

we have 39 plays by Gwent Young People’s Theatre (formerly Gwent Theatre) in our database . Click on the name of the play to read reviews we have in our database.

• A Lament for Moths [ 2009]
  author: Patrick Jones
  synopsis:
  Poet and playwright Patrick Jones has written a new drama for Gwent Theatre directed by Gary Meredith, performed by Jain Boon, Lizzie Rogan and Daniel Wallace with design by Georgina Miles. A Lament for Moths is a roller-coaster ride through the journey of two children growing up in a world where the moths (gentle, sensitive people) are trampled by mammoths (the brazen and manipulative). It is told through the eyes of Joe and looks at what and who creates violence and its effect on young people. He and his young friend Ruby are friends since childhood and the action follows their lives against a background of family breakdown and how adults can, unwittingly, scar their children by the effects of their own emotional conflict. Patrick says: “The title is from a Tennessee Williams’ poem and one of the earliest poems I loved. When we talked about the development of the play its metaphor seemed perfect.” Patrick says the style of the drama is expressionistic with musical montages from James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers providing beautiful sound tracks to the quickly changing scenes.
  
  
• Lizard's Tale [ 2007]
  author: Louise Osborn
  synopsis:
  Cal is very unhappy. He’s only fourteen years old, but he lives in fear. Unable to cope any longer with the secrets at home, he runs away. He finds refuge in a broken-down fishing hut, by the wild shore of his town. Cal feels safer by the sea. Here, he meets a girl, Billie, who has moved to the area following her parents’ separation. Billie is not like any of the other girls in Cal’s life. She’s different, strange. She loves reptiles, she says what she thinks and she won’t let Cal hide behind his secrets. ‘Lizard’s Tale’ is a poignantly tender story, which explores the painful consequences of living with domestic abuse. As well as raising questions about issues surrounding physical and emotional abuse, it also addresses more universal questions about bullying, relationships, families, and the effects of separation and loss on young people
  
  
• The Music Box Maker [ 2006]
  author: Philip Michell
  synopsis:
  An enchanting new play to celebrate  30 years of high quality theatre in education for schools and communities. There is space on the sideboard where the music box always stood. Mother and father are unhappy and when Katerina asks them about the missing box, she knows one of them is lying. She decides to buy a new music box to replace the old one, a wedding gift from her father to her mother. So Katerina enters the world of Yeva, the music box maker and Dimitri, her assistant, a world of song and stories, of dance and dreams, where music is made and hearts are mended. ‘The Music Box Maker’ is designed for 6 – 9 year olds and tours  to Primary Schools from January 5th to March 31st  2006.
  
  
• Refuse [ 2005]
  author: Louise Osborne
  synopsis:
  Music composed and arranged by Nick Wayland-Evans. A powerful and challenging new play exploring many of the complex issues that concern young people in today’s confusing climate of sexual explicitness, peer pressure and conflicting messages. Louise Osborn has crafted an original piece of work that sharply engages and expresses the fears, feelings and aspirations of young people whilst creating a production that is also truly theatrical and transforming. Teachers and young people actively participated in the creation of this project through courses and workshops with the writer and members of the company. Designed for young people from 14 years upwards this production tours to Secondary Schools from September 21st to November 25th 2005.
  
  
• The Tinderbox [ 2002]
  author: Charles Way
  synopsis:
  THE TINDERBOX is a strange and haunting tale of a young soldier who has nothing in the world but his good looks, but after a dramatic encounter with a witch and some very odd dogs he becomes wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. How does he cope? Will his wealth help him secure the happiness and love he has desired so long? THE TINDERBOX is a humorous and moving journey from ignorance to enlightenment. A story as old as the hills but a story for our times. A love story, always highly theatrical, told with music and engaging imagery.
  
  
• Nelson's Touch [ 2002]
  author: Louise Osborn
  synopsis:
  In the Summer of 1802 Admiral Horatio Nelson, together with his mistress Lady Emma Hamilton and her husband Sir William Hamilton toured South Wales. 'Nelson's Touch' focuses on historical events of the time both local and national and explores other issues linked to Nelson. This tender and sometimes humorous exploration of Nelson's life and times examines the relevance that History holds for us in the present.
  
  
• Common Threads [ 2001]
  author: Alex Pascall
  synopsis:
  Set within a plantation on the island of Grenada and Big Pit Colliery in South Wales, 'Common Threads' revolves around the history of the Sugar and Coal industries. A fairy-tale romance that brings the offspring of three generations together to fulfil a promise of love. With live music and strong visual imagery. Alex Pascall is a broadcaster, oral historian and cultural strategist, teaching, performing and promoting Caribbean music and history to people of all ages in schools, universities, libraries and communities. He has written and documented material to respond to the need to make Caribbean folk arts widely accessible and holds a large historical archive spanning over five decades of Black presence in Britain. He was recently involved in the highly acclaimed ‘Roots to Torfaen’ project.
  
  
• Y Ddraig Hud [ 2001]
  author: Mike Kenny
  synopsis:
  Based on the classic song ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ Mike Kenny’s engaging and original play about a little boy and a dragon has been translated into Welsh by Sion Eirian and is suitable for 5 - 9 year olds. In this enchanting play, by the author of ‘The Elves and the Shoemakers’, a little boy is separated from his mother and sent to stay with his Auntie in her little house by the sea, and the story explores the nature of friendship and how, through imaginative play, the little boy makes sense of the world in which he finds himself
  
  
• Voice [ 2001]
  author: Tracy Spottiswoode
  synopsis:
  VOICE is a one act (60 mins) play for three actors: 2 men, one woman.
  
  
• Sonya and the Dancing Bear [ 2000]
  author: Mark Ryan
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• Sonya and the Dancing Bear [ 2000]
  author: Mark Ryan
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• Miriad, A Boy From Bosnia [ 2000]
  author: Ad de Bont
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• Pa Mor Uchel yw Fyny [ 2000]
  author: Brendan Murray
  synopsis:
  This play was translated from Brendan Murray's original play "How High is Up?" by Sion Eirian and is published in "Nid Ar Chwarae Bach" Editior Eirwen Hopkins, Publisher Argraff
  
  
• In Living Memory [ 2000]
  author: Charles Way
  synopsis:
  ‘In Living Memory’ is a play about change, loss and renewal as experienced by succeeding generations in a Welsh mining community and tells the story of a family whose lives span the greater part of the twentieth century. Using a whole range of creative art forms this project generated opportunities for young people to reflect on the past, address the present and imagine what the future might hold for the youth of today.
  
  
• The Reincarnations of Elizabeth R [ 1999]
  author: Philip Michel
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• Skylark Song [ 1999]
  author: Philip Michel
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• A Spell of Cold Weather [ 1999]
  author: Charles Way
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• Sibrwd yn y Nos [ 1998]
  author: Noel Greig
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• How high is up [ 1998]
  author: Brendan Murray
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• Whispers in the Dark [ 1998]
  author: Noel Greig
  synopsis:
  This play is an adaptation of Noel Greig's play "Whispers in the Dark" by Sion Eirian and was commissioned as a co-production between Theatr Iolo and Theatr Gwent in 1998. A second production was co-produced by Theatr Iolo, Theatr Gwent and Theatr Spectacle in 2006. The play was published in "Nid Ar Chwarae Bach" Edited by Eirwen Hopkins, published by Argraff.
  
  
• Words, words, words [ 1997]
  author: Philip Michel
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• The Good Old Days [ 1997]
  author: devised by the company
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• Land of Dreams [ 1997]
  author: devised by the company
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• Marchogion yn y Dinas [ 1996]
  author: Theatr Iolo
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• Home Front [ 1996]
  author: Philip Michell
  synopsis:
  devised by Gwent Theatre written by Philip Michell music by Chrys Blanchard Set in the Second World War when rationing, air raids and gas masks were everyday occurrences, this moving production recalls the experiences of three children who meet on their way home from evacuation at the end of the war. It explores memories which were for some, a time of excitement and adventure, and for others a living nightmare. The play sensitively explores the issues and emotions faced by children who are evacuated or displaced as a consequence of conflict or war including family relationships, friendship, intolerance and bullying. Home Front offers a wealth of cross curricular material directly linked to the study areas of English, History, Drama and Citizenship. It will also address sensitive issues within PSHE. A performance of the play is followed by discussion with the audience. A Resource Pack for Teachers will be available with ideas for direct National Curriculum links and cross curricular activities. 'A superb production - moving, funny, thought provoking.  Wonderfully written and performed. A genuine piece of theatre.'  Upper Rhymney Primary School. Home Front is aimed at Key Stage 2 - Years 5 and 6 in Primary Schools and Key Stage 3 - Years 7 and 8 in Secondary Schools. The production will also be suitable for pupils at GCSE level who are required to observe and review live performances. Retoured by the Company in 2004
  
  
• Time and Again [ 1996]
  author: Mike James
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• Teithiau [ 1995]
  author: Theatr Iolo
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• Y Garreg Ddu [ 1995]
  author: Theatr West Glamorgan
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• Stil Waters [ 1995]
  author: devised by the company
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• Unxcertain Lives [ 1994]
  author: John Lovat
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• Dead man's Hat [ 1994]
  author: Charles Way
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• Y Gorlan [ 1993]
  author: Sera Moore Williams
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• Y Dilyw [ 1993]
  author: Charles Way
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• Body of Principles [ 1993]
  author: devised by the company
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• Deadline [ 1992]
  author: Andy Andrews
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• Gwreiddiau [ 1992]
  author: Sera Moore Williams
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• The Watchport Quilt [ 1992]
  author: devised by the company
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• After Hours [ 1991]
  author: devised by the company
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• The Watching [ 1991]
  author: devised by the company
  synopsis:
  The fascinating tale of Sarah Jacob the ‘Welsh Fasting Girl’ set in 19th century West Wales. Four nurses from Guy’s Hospital were sent down to a small Carmarthenshire village to help solve the mystery of a beautiful child ‘dressed like a bride’ who was attracting nationwide interest with her family’s claim that she was able to live without food or drink. No one really knew what to believe. Was Sarah Jacob a miracle child or was she secretly eating and drinking and if so did someone else know of her secret? What would have happened to Sarah Jacob if no one had ever tried to find out? In retelling this fascinating story, the play explores various theories which raises questions about the role of medicine and science, religion and faith, innocence and guilt and the need for society to apportion blame. A revived version of ‘The Watching’ is touring to Secondary Schools from September 28th - November 12th 2004.