Brên. Calon. Fi: Bethan Marlow’s powerful monologue at the 2024 National Eisteddfod

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru in association with the National Eisteddfod of Wales is thrilled to announce that Bethan Marlow’s funny and tender monologue, Brên. Calon. Fi, will be performed as part of the Mas ar y Maes programme at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

Filled with love, heartbreak, and lesbian desire, these will be the first full performances of the work since a short excerpt was presented at the 2022 Tregaron National Eisteddfod, receiving rave reviews, and even earning a place on the Guardian’s Best of Theatre 2022 list.

With director Rhiannon Mair at the helm, actor Lowri Morgan stars as ‘Fi’ (Me), the narrator who takes the audience on a journey through her love life – the secret crushes, the awkward love, and the messy heartbreak. Joining Rhiannon Mair to bring Brên. Calon. Fi to the stage is Set and Costume Designer, Livia Jones, Lighting Designer, Cara Hood, and Sound Designer, Josh Bowles. You can find all the artists’ biographies at the end of the press release.

Raw, tender, and hilarious, this is a personal and honest play from one of Wales’s best playwrights, Bethan Marlow. Over the years, a strong relationship has blossomed between Bethan and Theatr Gen; a partnership which has led to many unforgettable productions including Sgint, Nyrsys and, more recently, Pijin | Pigeon.

Discussing Brên. Calon. Fi, Bethan Marlow said:

“This story shares the experience of one lesbian. Maybe a lot of lesbians will be able to relate with it, and maybe not. Maybe the journey of getting to know yourself and learning to love yourself will resonate with many people and maybe not. Maybe it’s my story... and maybe not.”

As preparations get underway for rehearsals, director Rhiannon Mair said:

“Who wouldn’t want to work on a new theatre piece by Bethan Marlow?! Brên. Calon. Fi is a masterful play which reveals the truths of life and relationships in a candid way, and I feel very lucky to work as a director on the project. At its best, theatre can be a forum to look at life in all its glory and complexity, and I hope that Brên. Calon. Fi will do that by bringing Fi’s story to life. There is a lot of excitement amongst the Theatr Gen staff and the creative team around this work, and I can’t wait to get started in the rehearsal room.”

Brên. Calon. Fi is part of Theatr Gen’s wider programme at this year’s National Eisteddfod. In partnership with Theatr Clwyd, the company will present Ha/Ha, a hilarious hour of short comedy plays at Caffi Maes B. Those attending the Eisteddfod can also hear a special conversation between Theatr Gen’s Artistic Director, Steffan Donnelly, and iconic actress Siân Phillips about her life and career. Steffan will also be in conversation with Lowri Morgan as part of a series of talks from Paned o Gê and Mas ar y Maes.

Brên. Calon. Fi will be performed at YMa during the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod 2024 from 4pm on Tuesday 6 August until Friday 9 August. For full programme details, head to Theatr Gen’s website: theatr.cymru

A Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru production, in association with Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru. Brên. Calon. Fi was originally commissioned by Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru for the 2022 Tregaron National Eisteddfod. Funded by Arts Council of Wales.