Richard Tunley: Bouncers, a joy and a welcome challenge

September 28, 2016 by

In 2009 I stood on stage at the Blackwood Miners’ Institute in our first production of BOUNCERS whilst an audience of 400+ erupted with applause and cheers. To achieve such a large number in the audience for drama was no mean feat and it typified the success we experienced whilst touring this modern classic.

 

Richard Tunley

 

Sharon Casey, was in the audience – and our wonderful partnership with Blackwood Miners’ began. Our autumn touring productions have grown in popularity and success. RCT Theatres joined us a year later and, with continued support from Arts Council Wales, our partnership has flourished to bring quality productions with high production values to venues across Wales.

Directing a revival of BOUNCERS for our 2016 tour has been both a joy and a welcome challenge. The piece is popular and offers an actor an opportunity to apply a myriad of skills. We needed put together a cast that would bond quickly, feel confident to explore ideas in the rehearsal room and bring a variety of skills with them. Our cast reunites two of our original bouncers, Gareth John Bale and Sam Davies with Morgan Hopkins and, new RWMC&D graduate, Ross Ford. Rehearsals have been exciting. Creating the world of the bouncers and the many characters they portray requires attention to detail and a sincere understanding of them. There has been much laughter!

 

 

Godber’s play is clever, witty, poignant, funny and thought provoking. A good knowledge of theatre practitioners is important. Physical theatre, Epic theatre, comedy, farce, clowning are some of the styles we employ. At times the action is visceral, at other times farcical – where do you start?

As a drama student in RWCMD in the late 80’s, John Godber was a playwright I admired. I loved his style and his attitude to populist theatre. When he watched us perform the play at Theatre Clwyd he praised us for stripping it back to play it with honesty and directness. He was impressed with our attitude as a company and our remit to develop audiences. The following year he worked with us to re-work another of his plays and UP ‘N’ UNDER: THE WELSH TOUR was created.

This production is true to our earlier versions but has been crafted with more detail. A new combination of actors brings with it new ideas – this is a talented bunch! A new set designed by Hilary Statts allows us to explore the possibilities of spectacle and take the show to another level.

BOUNCERS is more than a play.
It’s an event.
It’s a good night out!

…and our version certainly is just that!

 

 

BOUNCERS
John Godber

 

Bouncers is a Black RAT Productions, Blackwood Miners’ Institute and RCT Theatres co-production supported by Arts Council Wales.

The production is suitable for age range 14+.

www.blackratproductions.co.uk for more information and  links to the venues’ Box Office’s to book tickets.

 

Tour Dates:

Tues 4 – Thursday 6 October 7.30pm Blackwood Miners’ Institute

Sat 8 October 7.30pm Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan

Thurs 13 October 7.30pm Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen

Fri 14 October 7.30pm Maesteg Town Hall

Mon 17 October 7.30pm Congress Theatre, Cwmbran

Tues 18 October 7.30pm Coliseum, Aberdare

Weds 19 October Matinee Performance Coliseum, Aberdare

Thurs 20 October 7.30pm Pontardawe Arts Centre

Fri 21 October 7.45pm The Hafren, Newtown

Sat 22 October 7.30pm Porthcawl Pavilion

Tues 25 October 7.30pm Torch Theatre, Milford Haven

Weds 26 October 7.30pm Swansea Grand Theatre

Thurs 27 October 7.45pm Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon

Sat 29 October 7.30pm Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Tues 1 November 7.30pm Borough Theatre, Abergavenny

Thurs 3 November 7.30pm Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff

Fri 4 November 7.30pm RWCMD, Cardiff

Sat 5 November 7.45pm RWCMD, Cardiff

Mon 7 November 7.30pm Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay

N.B. Schedule subject to change: Times/Dates may vary and additional dates may be confirmed.

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