Four years in the making... Developing comedy play Parti Priodas

At this year's National Eisteddfod, we'll be presenting the comedy play Parti Priodas by Gruffudd Owen at Caffi Maes B – and as rehearsals start at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, we're looking back at the play's beginnings. 

The idea was originally developed by Gruffudd when he was a member of Theatr Gen's New Playwrights' Group in 2018-2019 – a busy time for Gruffudd as he also won the Chair at the Cardiff National Eisteddfod in 2018 and stepped into the role of Bardd Plant Cymru in 2019.

Alongside seven other playwrights, Gruffudd enjoyed training, mentoring and development opportunities with the company and guest artists as he worked on an early draft of the script. As part of the scheme, audiences across Wales enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy readings of the new plays from the playwrights during the tour, Pwy ‘Sgrifennodd Honna?

Since then, Gruffudd has worked under commission with the company to continue to develop this special play. Four years later - and with a pandemic along the way - we're proud to bring this hilarious comedy play to the Maes this year. 

Gruffudd said:
“I'm thrilled that the project has continued and that it will now be staged at the Steddfod in Boduan. It's happening in a tent on a field in Pen Llŷn, just like the wedding itself! I'm incredibly grateful to Theatr Genedlaethol for giving me this opportunity. It's a play that will hopefully make people laugh, make them think and get to know the area of this year's Steddfod a little better." 

Parti Priodas will be performed by the artists from Pen Llŷn, Mared Llywelyn a Mark Henry-Davies, directed by our Artistic Director Steffan Donnelly.

Steffan said:
“When I read an early draft of Parti Priodas after joining the company last year, I knew that it would be perfect for the Steddfod in Boduan. Gruffudd has written a very special script, which bring the spirit of rural Pen Llŷn to the stage and crystallises the familiar experiences of boredom and awkwardness at other people's big days. I'm so pleased to be directing this comedy play and there's plenty of fun and laughter in the rehearsal room with our wonderful cast, Mared Llywelyn a Mark Henry-Davies.”

Parti Priodas is happening at 5pm on 7 – 10 August in Caffi Maes B – free entry with a ticket to the maes. You're invited to Dafydd and Samantha's wedding party... it'll be a party to remember!