*****
Black RAT Productions have always had a knack for creating comedy gold and with Dai Cula, their latest touring show which opened to a packed house at Blackwood Miners’ Institute, they’ve sunk their teeth into something quite special.
The premise is deliciously daft: having watched Who Do You Think You Are?, Count Dracula, in search of his ancestors, takes a wrong turn on Google Maps and ends up not in the Black Forest of Germany, but in Blackwood, South Wales. What unfolds from this simple mix-up is not so much a vampire horror tale as a riotous, rapid-fire celebration of Valleys life and quick-change chaos. As the outsider reacting to characters as odd as he is to them, Gareth Tempest is delightful with his sinister Transylvanian accent, ghostly pallor and blood-red eyes.
From the moment the curtain rises, it’s clear that Dai Cula is less about plot and more about pace, performance, and pure enjoyment. This is classic Black RAT territory – tight ensemble work, breakneck scene changes, and a loving send-up of regional quirks, accents, and recognisable personalities.
Richard Tunley
The cast of three actors plays a variety of lovable roles between them. In fact, it is up to writer and actor Richard Tunley and Olivia Edwards to play nearly all of them as Tempest stays in role as Dai Cula. One minute, Tunley is Len, the father of Airbnb owner Menna, then cross dressing as the nosy neighbour Glenys, then the social club compere, and the local van hire man Van Man Hesling (gettit?). Edwards has to swap from Menna, the Airbnb owner to her mate Lucy, who works in Asda, a feckless council workman, and several more besides.
Olivia Edwards
Costume changes happen in the blink of an eye, with clever staging and a few cheeky nods to the artifice of theatre and near slap stick that only adds to the fun. For example, how do you cope with the need to have two characters on stage at the same time when they are both played by the same person? The result is hilarious.
What makes Dai Cula feel fresh is its unmistakable love for its setting. The script, penned by Tunley, is bursting with local references and lovingly observed details: from curry night at the Wetherspoons, the local rugby club to the unique musicality of Valleys gossip, and rooted in a community that knows how to laugh at itself. At the end of the show he explained to the packed audience it is Black RAT’s acknowledgement of the faith in Blackwood Miners’ Institute has placed in the company down the years, despite the financial challenges it has faced.
Gareth Tempest, Richard Tunley and Olivia Edwards
Beneath the comedy, Dai Cula is ultimately a love letter to the South Wales Valleys – the people’s resilience, their warmth, sense of community and its unique way of turning even a vampiric invasion into a social occasion.
It would ruin the fun to reveal the details of the many jokes, but it is hardly surprising we have Tom Jones songs used in the humour, mentions of politicians and the local council.
As the curtain fell and the audience rose to their feet in applause, it was clear: Black Rat have once again delivered a show that is as warm-hearted as it is side-splitting. Catch it on tour if you can — Dai Cula is a bloody brilliant night out. You really will laugh out loud.
Dai Cula is touring venues across South Wales through October and November.
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.
Photos by Abigail Lewis Savage