Well-known TV actors Richard Lynch and Ffion Dafis will lead the cast in Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s next production – an ambitious presentation of Macbeth.
Shakespeare’s brutal tragedy will be presented in a new translation by the late Professor Gwyn Thomas, former National Poet of Wales, at Caerphilly Castle in February 2017. It will also be broadcast live to cinemas across Wales, as part of the company’s new venture, Theatr Gen Byw. The production is a key event in Cadw’s 2017 Year of Legends celebration.
The professional actors will work with a local community cast. This project follows a similar collaboration earlier this year in Bethesda and Bangor in the making of Chwalfa. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru are inviting members of the local community of Caerphilly to take part in Macbeth and auditions and workshops will be held in the area during November and December. For full details see theatr.cymru. This is an opportunity for local residents to take part in an ambitious production and to see Caerphilly Castle in a unique way.
audiences across Wales will also be able to enjoy the production and its spectacular setting with live broadcasts broadcasting to venues such as Chapter, Pontio, Galeri and Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Tuesday 14 February. The live broadcast is part of Theatr Gen Byw, which aims to bring site-specific work presented by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, to wider audiences. For a full list of centres that will be screening the broadcast live on 14 February see theatr.cymru.
This translation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is one of the last works of the late Professor Gwyn Thomas. who died earlier this year. He was a former Head of the Welsh Department at Bangor University and National Poet of Wales 2006-2008.
Arwel Gruffydd, Artistic Director of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and the Director of Macbeth, said of the production: “This is the third time in our history that we are presenting Shakespeare in Welsh, following the production of Romeo and Juliet (translation by J T Jones) in 2004 and Y Storm (translation of ‘The Tempest’ by Gwyneth Lewis) in 2012. It was a pleasure to work with Gwyn, and it is very sad that he will not see the fruits of his labour realised on stage and his masterful, poetic translation performed. We present this production in his memory. Macbeth was the first Shakespeare play I came across, aged 12, and I was immediately captivated by its magic and darkness. This is the first time for me to direct a Shakespearean play, and I look forward to it with both excitement and apprehension, while knowing too that I’m in safe hands, as I will be working alongside two of Wales’s leading actors, Richard Lynch and Ffion Dafis, who each bring a wealth of talent and experience to the production.”
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