A brand new production of Roofless, a comedy based upon the 2005 Welsh Grand Slam, makes its debut at Swansea’s Grand Theatre on Saturday 29th March 2008 at 7.30pm.
Roofless was first performed last September in Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, and Swansea’s Grand Theatre’s Arts Wing as a 60 minute pilot. Hailed a success the Grand Theatre asked for it to be extended and reprieved in its main house this March to coincide with this season’s 6 Nations Rugby Tournament, which appropriately saw Wales win the Grand Slam again. Roofless is now an 80 minute production with two 40 minute halves.
Written by Swansea writer and journalist Geraint Thomas the play evokes the euphoria that surrounded the achievement of Mike Ruddock’s all-conquering team while examining how the Welsh passion for rugby can sometimes get in the way of relationships and weddings! Geraint’s previous play, After Milk Wood, earned excellent reviews when it debuted as part of Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Festival in 2005.
Roofless opens with the closing stages of Wales’s emphatic victory in Murrayfield, complete with stunning pictures from South Wales Evening Post photographer Steve Phillips and the familiar voice of BBC Wales rugby commentator Gareth Charles.
Work-shy valley boy Lewis Jones, played by Leighton Kyle who has appeared in High Hopes on BBC Wales, has waited all his life to see Wales win a Grand Slam and now he is just one game away from seeing his dream come true. He and his cognitively challenged sidekick, Harvey, played by Swansea actor Tom McLeod, enter a bidding war on e-Bay to acquire tickets for the deciding game against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
Lewis, obsessed with rugby, His gold fish is called Henson… ‘Because it’s orange!’, sees his attempts to raise money become more and more desperate, resulting in farcical situations.
With the tickets finally purchased Lewis has overlooked one vital fact – he is due to marry his long-suffering fiancé, Cerys, played by Swansea bred Alison John, who has worked with Hijinx and Theatr Y Byd, on the same afternoon as the big game. Where will his loyalties lie? The registry office of the Millennium Stadium?
Further strain is placed upon the relationship by the interventions of Cerys’s disapproving mother Beryl, played by Julie Barclay, who has appeared in both Torchwood and Belonging for the BBC.
What the reviewers say about Roofless
‘This is clear and crisp, up-beat comedy writing taking leaves out of the books of Akyborn, Bennett, Neil Simon and retaining the warmth and not the self indulgence of Frank Vickery. Each scene is a comedy vignette in itself. They follow fast one after the other reminiscent of the great days of TV variety with people like Morecambe and Wise.’
Director and critic Michael Kelligan
‘Thomas' script is fast paced and packed with one-liners.’
British Theatre Review
‘Roofless is a great accomplishment and the talented Thomas siblings have created a production to be proud of.’
Ella-Louise Gilbert Theatre in Wales
Roofless is being directed by Bethan Thomas, the sister of the writer. The Swansea-based siblings have set up SISBRO Productions in order to stage the show. Bethan is also an actress, with West End roles in Blood Brothers under her belt, as well as being a writer and director.
Geraint Thomas, a former rugby player with Bridgend, said, “I am so grateful to the Grand Theatre for offering us this opportunity to stage a full production. Ticket sales have been great and it’s nice that a Swansea theatre is supporting local writers and performers.
“While rugby is at the heart of the play you don’t have to be a follower of the game to enjoy Roofless. I’m sure there are couples across the country that will identify with the minefield of obsessive behaviour, be it train spotting or spending every weekend sat in the stands screaming at the referee.
“The action photograph sequences and commentary really evoke the big match emotions and my thanks go to Steve Phillips and the Evening Post as well as Gareth Charles of the BBC for adding to this production.
“With a new wave of Grand Slam fever currently sweeping the nation this play is an opportunity to revel in our rugby success. It’s great that the class of 2008 have done it again but I still think the 2005 was something extra special as it was the first for 27 years, to have lived through those barren years made it all the sweeter.
“To be compared to Frank Vickery is very flattering as he leads the field in ‘valley humour’. I make no apologies for writing directly for the ‘working men’s club audience’, it’s the humour that I grew up with in the Swansea Valley and plays an important role in |
