What better way to celebrate almost 8 years since the play Blodeuwedd was performed at Tomen y Mur than to release the production as part of the Theatr Gen Eto programme? We are delighted to announce that the archive film of this unforgettable production of Saunders Lewis’s classic play will be available to view free of charge on our YouTube channel and on AM.
The site-specific production of Blodeuwedd was performed in July 2013 on the ancient fort which, according to legend, was the site where the story is set – Tomen y Mur between Trawsfynydd and Llan Ffestiniog in Gwynedd. The open-air production was an opportunity to see this powerful play performed in the legendary home of the play’s heroine, with Morfydd Clark taking the main role. Joining Morfydd Clark in the cast were Rhys Bidder, Iddon Jones, Glyn Pritchard, Non Haf, Martin Thomas and Owain Llŷr Edwards.
The production will be available online, free of charge, and will include closed captions in both Welsh and English, using the excellent translation by the late Siôn Eirian, Blodeuwedd, The Woman of Flowers (1992).
‘Daeth y chwedl hynafol yn fyw o’n blaenau, a hynny mewn ffordd fythgofiadwy.’
Lowri Haf Cooke
‘Sheer, simple magic’
Wales Arts Review
‘Better than anything I’ve ever seen inside the walls of a theatre.’
Llio Elain
Arwel Gruffydd, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Artistic Director and director of the production, said:
“If any play can claim to be the best in the Welsh language, surely Blodeuwedd must take that accolade? With every line of the text written in rich poetic language, the story being our most popular legend, and our chief playwright’s craft shown at its best, it was an honour to get to grips with this beautiful classic piece, and I’m delighted that we are able to release this production as part of our Theatr Gen Eto programme for people to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes, wherever they may be in the world.”
The production of Blodeuwedd will be available to watch from 7pm on Wednesday 3 March 2021 on Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s YouTube channel and on AM. It will be available for a period of 6 months, and will be permanently available on the company’s website as an educational resource for schools, colleges and universities.
Theatr Gen Eto was launched by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru as a new programme of work in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. It provides an opportunity for audiences to enjoy past productions on screen whilst theatres all over Wales and beyond are closed. More of the company’s productions will be released from the archive over the next few months.
1 March 2021