News 08/07/2024

Drama, laughs, and a conversation with Siân Phillips: One month until Eisteddfod Rhondda Cynon Taf 2024

Image of Bren Calon Fi rehearsals. 4 women are sat around a table. Lowri Morgan is a young white woman with blonde hair. Rhiannon Mair is a woman in her thirties with shoulder-length brown hair and wearing and orange jumper. Rhian Blythe is a white woman in her forties with shoulder-length reddy-brown hair. Bethan Marlow is a woman in her thirties with very short brown hair. They are all sitting around a table listening as Bethan speaks.

With the National Eisteddfod only a few weeks away, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru are thrilled to share the feast of drama, comedy, and talks that they have planned for this year’s festivities.

 

Brên. Calon. Fi
YMa, 6 – 9 August 4pm


Theatr Gen’s week at the Eisteddfod starts with Brên. Calon. Fi, Bethan Marlow’s hilarious and tender monologue performed at YMa as part of Mas ar y Maes’s programme. Directed by Rhiannon Mair, actor Lowri Morgan stars as ‘Fi’ (Me), the narrator of this one-hander who takes the audience on a journey through her love life – the secret crushes, the awkward love, and the messy heartbreak. Joining forces with Rhiannon Mair to bring Brên. Calon. Fi to the stage are Set and Costume Designer, Livia Jones, Lighting Designer, Cara Hood, and Sound Designer, Josh Bowles.

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Image from Bren Calon Fi rehearsals with Lowri Morgan, Rhiannon Mair, and Bethan Marlow. The rehearsal space has white walls with a painted orange border around the bottom. Bethan is sat at a table with her laptop looking at Lowri who has her back to the camera. Rhiannon stands next to Bethan.

Ha/Ha
Caffi Maes B, 6 – 8 August 5pm

 

Theatr Gen and Theatr Clwyd present Ha/Ha in Caffi Maes B, a wild hour of new short comedy plays from writers Caryl Burke, Mari Elen, Geraint Lewis and Gruffydd Ywain with an introduction by Hannah Daniel. Building on the success of their last co-production at the 2023 National Eisteddfod, directors Daniel Lloyd and Rhian Blythe return with a fantastic cast - Dion Davies, Caitlin Drake, Lowri Gwynne, Leilah Hughes and Dewi Wykes – with live music from Barnaby Southgate. Livia Jones will also design the set and costumes.

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Image of 5 actors in rehearsals for Rwan Nawr. The same actors are returning for Ha/Ha. From left to right: Dewi Wykes is a white man in his twenties kneeling on the ground. Behind him Dion Davies stands, a white middle-aged man with arms outstretched. Caitlin Drake stands in the middle, a young white woman with arms stretched to the sky. In front of Caitlin is Leilah Hughes, a young mixed-race woman kneeling with arms stretched to the sky. Behind Leilah is Lowri Gwynne, a white woman in her thirties. .

As well as these two productions, Eisteddfod attendees will have the opportunity to see the company’s Artistic Director, Steffan Donnelly, in conversation across the Maes.


In conversation with Siân Phillips
Y Babell Lên, 10 August 11.30am
Steffan Donnelly will be in conversation with the iconic Siân Phillips as they discuss her life, her career, and her experience in competing and reciting as a child. Siân will also discuss her relationship with Saunders Lewis’s work, the effect of the Eisteddfod and Welsh culture on her career, and her experience as a world-famous actress.

 

Paned o Gê: A cuppa with Steffan Donnelly and Lowri Morgan
Stondin Paned o Gê, 7 Awst 1pm
Join Steffan and Lowri to hear more about Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s latest production in partnership with Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Brên. Calon. Fi. Lowri stars in this hilariously tender monologue by Bethan Marlow about love, heartbreak, and lesbian lust.

 

Creative translation: Welsh literature across borders
Cymdeithasau 1, 5 August 2pm
Steffan will also join Gruffudd Owen and Megan Angharad Hunter to discuss the importance of translating literature for authors and the creative Industries. Chaired by Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones on behalf of Cyfnewidfa Lên Cymru, the contributors will discuss their work and the role of translation in reaching international audiences. 

Steffan Donnelly is looking forward to a busy week in Pontypridd:

 
“After an unforgettable time in Pen Llŷn last year, I can’t wait to return to the Eisteddfod with an exciting programme of drama, comedy, and talks. We’ve joined forces with an incredible team of creatives, including freelancers and artists who are old friends of the company and some who are working with us for the first time. I can’t wait to share everything we’ve been working on, and to experience the excitement of the Maes again.”

 

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