Current Economic Crisis Subject Of New Welsh Language Play
12 Oct 2011
A Welsh language verbatim play that uses real stories, as spoken by real people, will mark a new beginning for two of Wales’s leading theatre companies.
Sherman Cymru and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, in association with Galeri, Caernarfon will be producing ‘Sgint’ by Bethan Marlow, which takes a fresh and honest look at the current economic squeeze and how it affects people from all walks of life.
The play will tour Wales in February – March 2012.
Directed by Arwel Gruffydd, 'Sgint' will be the first new production of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Artistic Director since he took over the stewardship of the company in May this year.
The play, set in Caernarfon, will be one of the key opening events of Sherman Cymru’s opening season in their newly redeveloped building in Cardiff.
Over the past eighteen months, playwright Bethan Marlow has interviewed a variety of Caernarfon residents – a teacher, an entrepreneur, a politician and a single mum to name but a few. The interviews were then crafted to form this authentic and original response to the issues of the pound in people’s pockets.
Arwel Gruffydd, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Artistic Director said: “’Sgint’ will be a theatrical event unseen until now in Welsh, where people’s voices will be heard on stage in a way they’ve never been before; raw, honest, and from the heart. Although we’ll be working with professional actors, this will be a mirror held up to real life that will be sometimes brutal, and difficult to view - there are some unpalatable home truths here.
He continued: “But there’s also a great deal of fun, as you’d expect from Caernarfon characters…if I can call them that! Because this is a play without characters - only real people - not fragments of a writer’s imagination. It will be quite a challenge for me and the actors to capture this authenticity, and be true to the wonderful people who will be portrayed, who have been so generous in the making of this play.”
Director of Sherman Cymru, Chris Ricketts comments: “We commissioned Bethan to work on ‘Sgint’ early in 2010, and we are really pleased we’re able to bring it to life through this landmark production with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. Developing and producing Welsh language work is a really important part of what Sherman Cymru does. It will be very fitting to welcome ‘Sgint’ audiences into a building that finally matches up with the quality of productions and activity that will be going on inside it.”
'Sgint’ will open at Sherman Cymru on 07-11 February 2012 before moving on to:
- Galeri, C'ernarfon 21-24 February
- Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan 28-29 February
- Theatr Hafren, Newtown 03 March
- Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen 06-07 March
- Aberystwyth Arts Centre 09-10 March 2012
