Theatr Gen at Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2023

Theatr Gen is very proud to support  the Urdd Eisteddfod this year with participation work and opportunities for young playwrights. Also, for the first time, Steffan Donnelly, our Artistic Director, will judge the Urdd Drama Medal and choose our next Young Playwright in Residence. Over the past few months, we have been very proud to support six playwrights to be part of Project 23, in conjunction with the Urdd Eisteddfod. This project has given playwrights the opportunity to write short scripts based on the legends and stories of Carmarthenshire, to be performed live by children from the county's primary schools in the Chwilio’r Chwedl event on the grounds of the Urdd Eisteddfod on 28 May. It has been a pleasure for us to work with playwrights Del Evans, Martha Ifan, Mirain Jones, Mared Roberts, Hefin Robinson and Rhiannon Williams to create scripts and to enjoy mentorship from playwright Sarah Bickerton as part of the process. For more information about the project and the live performances, visit the Urdd Eisteddfod website: Chwilio'r Chwedl | Urdd Gobaith Cymru 

We are also proud to bring Criw Creu to the Urdd Eisteddfod this year. Now in its third year, this special project - in conjunction with Welsh Literature - offers creative opportunities for pupils with additional learning needs. 

This year, we are collaborating with two schools in Carmarthen, Ysgol Bro Myrddin and Queen Elizabeth High School. Pupils from both schools will have the opportunity to compose a poem under the guidance of author Elinor Wyn Reynolds, with the hope of displaying the work in video form at the Urdd Eisteddfod. Read more about Criw Creu here: Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru | Criw Creu '23 

Since 2021, the Urdd Eisteddfod Drama Medal winner has joined the company as a Young Playwright in Residence and enjoys a year of mentorship and development opportunities with us. This year, Steffan Donnelly, our Artistic Director, will be part of the panel of judges who will read the work of the young playwrights and choose the best. Steffan said: "I'm really looking forward to being part of the Urdd Eisteddfod Drama Medal judging panel this year and to welcoming a new Young Playwright in Residence to Theatr Gen. Bringing up the next generation of Welsh language playwrights is crucial for us as a company, and I have been delighted to read work by the country's talented young playwrights over the past few weeks. Good luck to all who compete!” 

You can hear from our previous Young Playwrights in Residence here: lin 

We look forward to being on the grounds of the Urdd Eisteddfod in Llandovery in May - we'll see you there!