Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

At the Torch

The Torch Theatre Company- Only A Matter of Time , The Riverfront Newport , March 9, 2006

This is play about railways and how their introduction made time exactly the same in London, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea. Giles Thomas, who subtly prevents his performance as the representative of progress from falling into the trap of a silly-arse stereotypical Englishman, gives us an extremely likeable character despite the threat he brings to the cosy hardship of Welsh rural life.

The resistance to his ploys, expressed by farmer and philosopher Meredith, a rumbling delight of a performance from Gareth Bale: recently awarded the Theatre-Wales James Westaway Award for ‘Most Promising Young Performer’, reminds us that the characteristic Welsh stubbornness and our love of argument that we still enjoy so much today are well rooted in our history.

But Meredith can’t hold back progress and in the second part of the play we are in modern times and the railway has become an essential part of life right across the whole of South Wales and beyond. By one of those glorious theatrical coincidences descendants of the earlier characters now people the story. Meredith, still a “mere peasant”, is a train guide on the Paddington to Swansea line and Fanshawe, now a government man is returning to the site of their first meeting. The place has been transformed from a rural backwater to a thriving modern town. He comes with a proposal from ‘On High’ that a plaque be erected in the area to mark the forgiving of the ‘crimes’ of Dic Penderyn, hero of the 1831 Merthyr Riots.

This time after some furious exchanges of light philosophical debate, some of it bewildering and incomprehensible but none the less amusing, 21st century Meredith persuades his adversary to return to Westminster with his tail between his legs. New Labour may have silenced today’s Penderyns but still sacrifices are being made. Nevertheless there hangs over this enchanting comedy an underlying sense of the total devastation that progress will eventually bring us here in Wales despite the efforts of Rhodri Morgan and his devolved comrades.

Writer of Z cars and many other award winning works Alan Plater wrote the first half of the comedy as a radio play a few years ago and updated it with the second half for a performance at the Watermill Theatre Berkshire in 2002. Now another award winning theatrical entrepreneur the Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director, Peter Doran has brought it home to Wales. The play with its captivating setting from the continuing genius of Sean Crowley, the smell of the hay was intoxicating, deftly lit by Dan Jones, sits well on the new Riverfront Stage. It is just the sort of play that will encourage the people of Newport to develop a strong theatre-going habit and give to this excellent new venue the support it deserves.

Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan

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There are 81 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

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At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (03 August 2012)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (27 April 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (09 June 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (14 May 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (15 December 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (11 October 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (19 August 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (13 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (07 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (26 April 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (12 December 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (05 April 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (04 December 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (25 October 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters, The Stage (16 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (12 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Terry Johnson, The Stage (15 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (12 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Simon Carr. Western Telegraph (09 December 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (23 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Emma Jones, Western Telegraph (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Walters, Milford Mercury (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 February 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (10 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (06 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jenny Hanson, Tenby Observer (05 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (31 January 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by JENNY HANSON (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (26 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvet (28 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (21 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Andrews Davies (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by MILFORD & WEST WALES MERCURY (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Keith Johnson, Western Telegaph (13 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tenby Observer (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, Milford Mercury (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (05 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (26 October 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (11 September 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (09 August 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victoria Cooper (10 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Elaine Atack (03 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvett (28 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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