| Facing Up by Ieuan Watkin |
| First presented in 1992 by Made in Wales |
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cast size:5
synopsis: Co production between Theatr Clwyd and Made in Wales stage company Performed at Theatr Clwyd 12-22 Jan 1992, Sherman Theatre Cardiff 2-4 March 1992 and Theatre Felinfach 7 March 1992 CAST LLOYD - JAMS THOMAS VICKI - HELEN GWYN DICK - WILLIAM THOMAS EDDIE - LAURENCE ALLAN BENNY - STEVEN SPEIRS DIRECTOR - GILLY ADAMS DESIGNER - JOHN JENKINS STAGE MANAGER - IAN BUCHANAN DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER - PHYLIP AB OWAIN Extracts from some of the reviews: “Anyone who cares about the way words and ideas are used – you don’t have to be Welsh or a pugilist – will be knocked out by it.” Robin Thornber, THE GUARDIAN “It is a very clever piece of writing, both funny and challenging, and well played out by the five actors of the Made in Wales Stage Company.” Dave Banks, EVENING LEADER “It is a black comedy that packs a mean punch . Sexual politics, violence – in and out of the ring – mixed-up morals and dubious psychology all take their turn in the changing room where the drama is set.” Penny Simpson, SOUTH WALES ECHO. SHORTLISTED BY THE WRITERS’ GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN FOR THE BEST REGIONAL THEATRE PLAY AWARD, 1992. Cast Biographies: LAURENCE ALLAN Laurence was born and bred in Pontypridd. Not only an actor, he has become known as a Welsh writer, which of course is untrue as he is in fact a Pontypridd writer. His plays have included A BLOW TO BUTE STREET and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES which were premiered by Made in Wales. His latest project was the Pontypridd community play, VALLEY OF THE KINGS. Laurence’s ambition is to set up a theatre company in the house where he was born in Pontypridd. This will be made up of close members of his family and will produce plays only about his close friends and will play to two or three neighbours at a time. It will however tour to at least one nearby street for three days of the year. Laurence was last seen at Theatr Clwyd in Made in Wales’ WRITE ON! Festival. HELEN GWYN Helen has worked for Made in Wales on many occasions. She appeared in THE FOURTH WORLD and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES at Theatr Clwyd and has just completed her third WRITE ON! Festival. In 1982 Helen left Liverpool with a B.A. Hons. Drama/English and is now living in Pontypridd, South Wales. Other theatre work has included an international tour of THE SNOW QUEEN, New Theatre Co., IN THESE GREAT TIMES and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM for Moving Being; Coracle Theatre-in Education, Dyfed (devised work); and Hijinx Theatre, when she appeared in a community show, IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER and TAKING FLIGHT, a devised piece for people with learning difficulties, and played Polly Peachum in A THREEPENNY OPERA. T.V. credits include CASUALTY, A VERY SMALL BUSINESS, SWEETHEARTS, FFLAT HUW PUW, POBOL Y CWM, SIOE SIARAD and three series of BOWEN A’I BARTNER. STEVEN SPEIRS Steven hails from Troedyrhiw in the Merthyr Valley and is a former member of the National Youth Theatre of Wales. He graduated from Loughborough University in 1986 with an honours degree in Drama and began his career as one half of a comedy double act before touring West Germany as Holroyd in THE WIDOWING OF MRS. HOLROYD. Other theatre credits include Cliff in LOOK BACK IN ANGER, Mitch in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and Touchstone in AS YOU LIKE IT. With the English National Opera he performed in runs of BILLY BUDD and MADAME BUTTERFLY before spending six months touring Britain and Ireland with MEDIEVAL PLAYERS. Having just performed in LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN in Manchester and a pantomime season in Aldershot, he is delighted to return to Wales for this, his first tour with Made in Wales. Steve’s latest television work include THE BILL (Thames), COLLISION COURSE (BBC) and THE OLD DEVILS (BBC). He also played the hapless Albert Thomas, a regular character in HTV’s popular drama series, WE ARE SEVEN. JĀMS THOMAS Jāms was born in Aberdare, educated at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen and trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. His T.V. and film credits include: DISTRICT NURSE, MWY NA PHAPUR NEWYDD and the film MWG GLAS LLEUAD WAED, plus fleeting appearances in DR. ELEN, NOSON YR HELIWR and the movie BIG PANTS. In 1991 he completed the pilot for a new BBC police serial, NIGHT SHIFT. In the theatre, Jāms recently played Jonathan Harker in the Sherman Theatre Company’s production of DRACULA. After FACING UP, Jāms hopes to do a musical version of SOMEONE UP THERE LIKES ME with Elvis! Jāms lives in Cardiff and owns a rather interesting purple eiderdown. WILLIAM THOMAS William Thomas’ theatre work includes seasons at the Belgrade, Coventry, the Leicester Haymarket, Prospect and the R.S.C. West End appearances include OVERHEAD at the Haymarket and THE CORN IS GREEN at the Old Vic. His extensive television experience includes major roles in THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE, MAGNIFICENT EVANS, BALLROOM, AFTER THE WAR, WE ARE SEVEN, ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES, STICKY WICKETS and MWY NA PHAPUR NEWYDD III. |
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