Forty-years after its first stage performance a tragicomedy that gave
the renowned playwright, actor, poet, activist and Nobel Prize Winner,
Harold Pinter, his first commercial success will travel Wales’ main
theatre venues next month.
Over a six week period Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru - the Welsh language national theatre - will stage Y Gofalwr, a translation of 'The Caretaker' (Y Gofalwr) - Pinter's classic tale of tension, power and conspiracy.
The Caretaker has been adapted for television and film and remains an iconic play of its time and style. Like many of Pinter’s plays it involves strong conflicts that erupt between three equally ambivalent characters (two quite distinct brothers and a visiting tramp on this occasion) who struggle for verbal and territorial dominance and coming
to terms with their own versions of the past.
Stylistically the play combines reality with elements of the absurd and is marked by ambiguous theatrical pauses, comedy timing, irony and menace. It raises complex issues of individual identity oppressed by social forces, language and the vicissitudes of life.
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru's production of Y Gofalwr was translated into Welsh in the 1960sby the late Elis Gwyn from Llanystumdwy in
Gwynedd.The Pwllheli art teacher was the brother of the Welsh dramatist, WS Jones (Wil Sam), and translated the play especially for an amateur drama company based in Cricieth’s former Gegin Theatre which was instigated by the two brothers.
“Y Gofalwr was also performed professionally in 1970 by Cwmni Theatr Cymru who also toured Wales with an acclaimed production,” said Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Marketing Manager, Elin Williams.
“Audiences at the time were thrilled and were extremely pleased with the translation of Pinter’s modern classic in their own language,” she added.
Y Gofalwr is directed by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Artistic Director, Cefin Roberts. The three characters are played by the well-known television and stage actors Llion Williams, Rhodri Siôn and Carwyn Jones. The set is designed by Sean Crawley and this will be Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s first opportunity to stage the play.
“Y Gofalwr is also Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s tribute to these two great individuals who contributed so much to the world of the theatre,”
added Elin Williams.
“Today’s audiences will undoubtedly be equally enthralled with their work on one of the twentieth century’s greatest plays.”
Harold Pinter died in 2008 and Elis Gwyn passed away in 1999.
The tour will commence at Cardigan’s Theatr Mwldan (01239 621200) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, 4-6 February, 2010, before
going on to:
• Theatr Elli, Llanelli (0845 226 3510), on Tuesday and Wednesday
evenings, 9-10 February, 2010;
• Pontardawe Arts Centre (01792 863722) on Friday, 12 February, 2010;
• The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Newport (01633 656757), on
Thursday, 18 February, 2010;
• Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli (01758 704088), on Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday evenings, 24-27 February, 2010;
• Theatre John Ambrose, Ruthin (01824 702575), on Tuesday and
Wednesday, 2-3 March, 2010;
• The Aberystwyth Arts Centre (01970 623232) on Friday and Saturday
5-6 March, 2010;
• Theatr Felin-fach, Ceredigion (01570 470697), on Tuesday and
Wednesday 9-10 March, 2010;
• The Weston Studio in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (08700
40 2000), on Friday and Saturday, 12-13 March, 2010.
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