Brên. Calon. Fi: Bethan Marlow’s hilarious and heart-wrenching monologue tours Wales

Following the incredible response to its premiere performances at the 2024 National Eisteddfod, Theatr Cymru is very proud to present the national tour of Brên. Calon. Fi, a new play by Bethan Marlow.  The tour takes place during Pride Month, and is the company's third national tour this year.

The first of its kind, this hilarious and heart-wrenching monologue about lesbian love and desire has already received a lot of praise (“This is the best play I’ve seen in a long time” BBC Radio Cymru). Heartfelt and entertaining, the play takes the audience on a journey through the love life of the narrator 'Fi' - the secret crushes, the awkward sex and the messy heartbreak.

With director Rhiannon Mair at the helm once again, actor Lowri Morgan is returning to the role of 'Fi', the narrator of the monologue who comes to understand the complexities of being true to yourself while growing up as a tomboy in the nineties. Also returning to the production after the success at the Eisteddfod last year, is the Set and Costume Designer, Livia Jones, Lighting Designer, Cara Hood, Sound Designer, Josh Bowles and the Movement Director, Cêt Haf.

This is an honest and personal play by Bethan Marlow, who is one of Wales’s best playwrights and has already worked with Theatr Cymru on several productions including Nyrsys and Pijin | Pigeon. Responding to the national tour, Bethan said: 
"The thought that more people are going to watch Brên. Calon. Fi. fills me with joy and fear at the same time. 'Are people going to like it? Are they going to find it funny? Is it good enough?' And then there's a small, brave part inside me that says 'Yes'. I really wanted to write a play about a Welsh lesbian and this is how it came out so… we'll see, yeah?"

Brên. Calon. Fi. is a part of an exciting year for Theatr Cymru, as the company presents 6 productions. Steffan Donnelly, the company's Artistic Director, is delighted to present this special monologue on tour:
"After a handful of jam-packed performances at the Eisteddfod last year, I am so glad that this original production is about to reach a wider audience on a national tour. Bethan Marlow has created a warm story about surviving, growing and finding your community - with an honest and gripping performance by Lowri Morgan. Come and celebrate Pride month with Theatr Cymru with this lesbian love story that is full of heart and Welshness!"

Closed captions will be available at all performances via Sibrwd, Theatr Cymru's language access app. There is also a performance interpreted through British Sign Language (BSL) on 26 June in Cardiff.  

The Theatr Cymru team will also take part in the Pride Cymru parade in Cardiff on 21 June, having walked in the event for the first time last year.

Brên. Calon. Fi. was originally developed with support from the National Eisteddfod of Wales.