Black RAT Productions return with a brand new ‘fangtastic’ comedy Dai Cula:Prince of the Valleys for their 2025 Autumn Tour of Wales.
Black RAT Productions and Blackwood Miners’ Institute have announced the brand-new production for their 2025 autumn tour Dai Cula: Prince of the Valleys.
The new comedy written by Richard Tunley will open at Blackwood Miners’ Institute from 1-3 October before stopping at further venues across Wales in Abertillery, Cardiff, Barry, Treorchy, Cardigan, Abergavenny, Pontardawe, Newport, Aberdare, Brecon and Maesteg.
The show has been created especially for Welsh venues and is supported by Arts Council of Wales.
A tale of bats, vampires and Blackwood
Richard Tunley
After binge-watching Who Do You Think You Are? Count Dracula becomes convinced he’s got royal blood—thanks to a dubious link between Vlad the Impaler and the Prince of Wales. After ordering a flat-pack coffin online, he books himself an Airbnb and sets off for the Black Forest… only to land in Blackwood in the South Wales Valleys! At first, the locals think he’s just another eccentric in a cape. But when people start mysteriously disappearing and pest control is called to investigate a sudden bat problem, the town begins to wonder if their odd new visitor is more than just a lost tourist…
Black RAT Productions’ unique brand of physical comedy
Black RAT Productions will bring the tale of bats, vampires and Blackwood to audiences with their usual madcap style. The Company is well known for creating and touring dynamic and entertaining theatre across Wales combining theatrical drama and physical comedy. Gareth Tempest (Dai Cula), Olivia Edwards (Menna Lucy, Dr. Seward, Kyle and half of Blackwood) and Richard Tunley (Len, Glenys, Van Man Helsing, Pritchard, Mike the Mic, Harker and the other half of Blackwood) are the multitalented cast for the fast-paced show.
As well as The Three Musketeers last autumn, other past successful productions by Richard Tunley and Black RAT team have included: Bouncers, Up ’n’ Under, Neville’s Island, Art, Boeing Boeing, Bedroom Farce, Loot, One Man Two Guvnors, The 39 Steps, The Invisible Man and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Black RAT Director, actor and writer of Dai Cula, Richard Tunley said “I’ve created Dai Cula to be a fang-filled spoof bursting with laughs, valleys pride and a touch of garlic. It’s a comedy about identity, heritage, and what it really means to be Welsh. Gareth Tempest and Olivia Edwards joining me on the cast are very talented and I can’t wait to take this show on the road to venues across Wales.”
The production has an age suitability of 11+
Further information is available at www.blackratproductions.co.uk along with links to the venues Box Offices to book tickets.
Tour Dates
1 –3 Hydref / October 7.30pm
3 Hydref / October BSL performance
Sefydliad Y Glowyr Coed Duon
Blackwood Miners’ Institute
01495 227206
blackwoodminersinstitute.com
7 Hydref / October 7.30pm
Y Met, Abertyleri
The Met Abertillery
01495 533195
the-met.co.uk
9 – 11 Hydref / October 7.30pm
Hydref / October BSL performance
Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru, Caerdydd
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff
029 2039 1391
rwcmd.ac.uk
14 Hydref / October 7.30pm
Canolfan Y Celfyddydau Memo, Y Barri
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
01446 738622
memoartscentre.co.uk
16 Hydref / October 7.30pm.
Theatr Y Parc a’r Dâr, Treorci
Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy
03000 040 444
rct-theatres.co.uk
17 Hydref/October 7.30pm
Mwldan, Aberteifi/ Cardigan
01239 621200
mwldan.co.uk
20 Hydref / October 7.30pm
Theatr Y Borough, Y Fenni
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny
01873 850805
boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
21 Hydref / October 7.30pm
Canolfan Celfyddydau Pontardawe
Pontardawe Arts Centre
01792 863722
pontardaweartscentre.com
22 Hydref / October 7.30pm BSL performance
Glan Yr Afon, Casnewydd
The Riverfront, Newport
01633 656757
newportlive.co.uk
23 Hydref / October 7.30pm BSL performance
Y Colisëwm, Aberdâr
The Coliseum, Aberdare
03000 040 444
rct-theatres.co.uk
24 Hydref / October 7.30pm.
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
01874 611622
brycheiniog.co.uk
25 Hydref / October 7.30pm.
Neuadd y Dref Maesteg
Maesteg Town Hall
03300 554488
maestegtownhall.com
BSL: Dehongliad BSL | BSL Interpreted Performance
N.B. Schedule subject to change: Times/dates may vary and additional dates may be confirmed.
Just watched Dai Cula in Blackwood and loved every second of it. Great energy, lots of jokes and laughter and non stop fun.
If you get a chance to see this production grab it with both hands, you will have a great night.
What a funny, brilliant talented bunch you are, watched your show in Cardigan, theatre Mwldan and you were all brilliant. Well done guys 💖
Absolutely brilliant Welsh humour
Highly recommend
Was lucky enough to see this in Pontardawe. Absolutely brilliant. Fantastic writing and all three members of the cast were superb- an action packed fun filled night. Will definitely be highly recommending and eagerly looking out for future productions/tours.