The depressing economic realities in the South Wales Valleys and its effect on family life and community devoid of employment, hope and even common morality forms the basis to Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru - the Welsh Language National Theatre Company’s production in next month’s National Eisteddfod of Wales in Ebbw Vale.
Gwlad yr Addewid is a Welsh translation of Ed Thomas’ explosive and passionate play House of America that received international acclaim when first staged in Cardiff back in 1988. The play has been translated by renowned actress, Sharon Morgan, who actually had a leading role as the eccentric family matriarch in the play’s first production.
“Having portrayed one of the main characters on stage Sharon’s knowledge of the play in second to none and was ideally suited for undertaking the task of translation,” said Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Marketing Manager, Elin Angharad Williams.
“This will be the first professional production of Gwlad yr Addewid,” she added.
Gwlad yr Addewid is directed by Tom Baker who returns to Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru for the first time since his hugely successful production of Manon Eames’ Porth y Byddar in 2008 – a play based on the drowning of a Gwynedd community in the 1960s by Liverpool Corporation.
“I’m immensely glad to be back with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru as it continues to build on a loyal audience base,” he said.
“Although House of America was penned over 20 years ago its themes remain pertinent to modern times and I’m looking forward to bringing this iconic play alive to Welsh language theatre goers,” he added.
The play’s five-member cast includes My Family TV sit-com star, Rhodri Meilir, along with experienced TV and stage actors Sara Harris-Davies, Alun ap Brinley, Elin Phillips and a relative newcomer, student Siôn Young.
Gwlad yr Addewid will be staged in The Met Theatre in Abertillery on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, August 3-6, 2010. All performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Theatr Fach (Little Theatre) on the Eisteddfod Maes or from The Met (Tel: 01495 355600). Buses will be provided to transport member of the audience from the Eisteddfod Maes and official Eisteddfod Caravan Site to the performances in Abertillery.
Following the performances during the National Eisteddfod Gwlad yr Addewid will embark on an autumn tour of Wales’ main theatre venues starting in Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre on Thursday and Friday evenings, September 9-10, 2010, before going on to:
· Caernarfon’s Galeri on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, September 14-16, 2010;
· Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, September 21-22, 2010;
· Swansea’sTalesin Arts Centre on Saturday evening, September 25, 2010;
· Mold’s Clwyd Theatr Cymru on Thursday evening, September 30 and Friday and Saturday evenings, October 1-2, 2010;
· Cardigan’s Theatr Mwldan on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 6-7 October, 2010; and
· The Weston Studio in Cardiff’s Millennium Centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, 14-16 October, 2010.
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru is supported by Arts Council Wales. |
