West Wales theatres celebrate St David’s Day with a week of Welsh-made drama
Two theatres in west Wales, The Ffwrnes in Llanelli and The Lyric in Carmarthen, will honour the patron saint of Wales in style this year with an entire week of Welsh-made theatre.
From a home-coming drama about a Welsh rugby legend to a contemporary adaptation of Blodeuwedd on St David’s Day itself, patriotic buttons will pushed to the maximum.
A Mabinogion legend, Woman of Flowers, tells the story Blodeuwedd – a women unlike any other. Conjured from wild flowers by the wizard Gwydion to be the perfect wife for the warrior prince Llew, nature’s wild waves surge in her blood and when the dark desires woven into her nature are awakened the consequences are bloody for all around her. Woman of Flowers by Theatr Pena performs at The Ffwrnes in Llanelli on March 1.
Woman of Flowers
On March 2, the first of two Welsh language productions will take to the stage at the two venues. Cwmni Fran Wen will perform a truly heart-warming family-tale celebrating the unique relationship between grandparent and grandchild at The Ffwrnes in Llanelli. Written by Gwyneth Glyn Ŵy Chips a Nain is an honest portrayal of love, friendship and fun between two generations when facing dementia.
Dementia is the subject of the second Welsh language drama in this packed week of Welsh made theatre. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru perform Y Tad, a heart-rending story about a man who is failing to understand what is happening to him as his memory crumbles, and a daughter who is struggling to come to terms with her father’s illness. The English language version played to sell-out audiences in the West End in 2016 and the Welsh adaptation has been translated by Geraint Løvgreen who won the competition to Translate a Play into Welsh at the National Eisteddfod of Wales with this work in 2016. It will perform for one day only, at 1.00pm and 7.30pm, at The Lyric Theatre on March 6.
Y Tad
Two English language dramas from the Torch Theatre company in Milford Haven will take place at The Ffwrnes in Llanelli on March 5, 6 with Grav and The Wood respectively.
Grav has wowed audiences across the UK in recent years and returns to Ray Gravell’s hometown in Llanelli, before heading to New York, on March 5. Known to millions for his heroic exploits on the rugby field but an actor, cultural icon and very proud Welshman to boot, tickets are almost sold out for this celebration of a Welsh legend.
Grav
Writer and director of Grav, Owen Thomas and Peter Doran, collaborate once more on The Wood, which will perform hot off the heels of Grav on March 6. Staged to mark the 1918 centenary of the end of The Great War, The Wood is set as the Battle of the Somme rages in Mametz Wood and the 38th Welsh Regiment face the ferocity of the German army. Inspired by a true story, Dan and Billy, two young soldiers, forge a friendship in the heat of battle in a tale of love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of a world in flames. A poignant drama to mark a never-to-be-forgotten milestone in history.
The Wood
Tickets for all of these events are available on Theatrau Sir Gar’s website www.theatrausirgar.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0845 226 3510.