An Arts Outside of Cardiff Production by Spectacle/Gwent/Rhondda Cynon Taf Theatres.Wales Wide Tour : February 16-March 31 2007. 20 Venues! 27 Performances! All aboard as we set sail with this Ultimate Family Adventure! This AOC co-production in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Theatres, was commissioned by Gwent Theatre & Spectacle Theatre who have a long and enviable record of producing community touring production “The Last Pirate” is the latest adventure from the internationally acclaimed Children’s writer & one of the UK’s leading playwrights, Charles Way. Charles was recently the recipient of the Children’s Award from the Arts Council of England for his play “Red, Red Shoes”. Other recent credits include the successful New Perspectives Tour of “The Long Way Home” written by Charles Way which toured to a number of venues in 2004. “The Golden Age of piracy, as it is known ended in the 1720’s which is referred to in Captain Charles Johnson’s book, ‘The General History of the Pirates’ published in 1724, and it has since been plundered by historians and novelists ever since. This play ‘The last Pirate’ does not of course refer to the last pirate of all time but the last pirate of the ‘Golden Age’, when there was great treasure to be had from English, French and most notably Spanish ships from South America. Between 1700 and 1728 there were 27 trials and mass hangings, effectively eliminating most of the famous pirates and decimating the ranks of the pirate community. What happens in the ‘The Last Pirate’ can therefore be said to occur just after these historic events.” Charles Way, Writer. Synopsis: Set in a Tavern in a small Welsh fishing village The Last Pirate tells the tale of two twins, a boy & a girl. The boy (Martin) is kidnapped by a pirate named Captain Jayne and the girl (Mary) joins a naval ship in the hope of finding her lost brother. This Wales Wide tour (6 weeks in total) directed by Steve Davis (Artistic Director of Spectacle Theatre) with Gary Meredith (Artistic Director of Gwent Theatre) as Captain Warren stops off at all mid-scale venues throughout Wales with an important diversion into England. Composer & Musical Director for this production is Aberdare based Dyfan Jones, who recently orchestrated 2 songs for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and completed a new arrangement of "Sain, cerdd a chân" for a performance at the Wales's Millennium Centre with Bryn Terfel. Set Designer for the production is Steve Denton, whose recent work includes, “Unspoken Agreement” “Beginnings” & “Tough Love” for Diversions Dance Company. Lighting Designer is Elanor Higgins who has recently lit for “Rats Buckets & Bombs” for the Nottingham Playhouse, “The Caretaker” for The Torch Theatre and coming up “Acqua Nero” for Sgript Cymru Contemporary Drama Wales. “After three and a half years The Last Pirate has finally set sail, and it is my belief that it will be the start of a tradition of creative collaborations between producing companies, artists, and venues, that reflects the position Wales plays in the world wide growth of theatre for families and young people”. Steve Davis, Director. This unique collaboration between producing companies & presenting venues along with one of Europe’s leading children’s writers will offer audiences across Wales & England the opportunity to see high quality theatre produced & created in Wales. The tour opens at The Coliseum Aberdare on Friday 16 February at 7pm. For the full tour schedule just click on www.thelastpirate.co.uk, you can also view the DVD-The Making of the Last Pirate. There will be a BSL Interpreted Performance at the Grand Theatre, Swansea on Tuesday 27 February at 7pm. |
| web site: www.thelastpirate.co.uk |
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Tuesday, February 13, 2007 |
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