Q&A: Rhian Blythe, Calon Director
What is your role within Calon and what does the role mean?
I’m the Director of Calon.
From working with Caryl and Non and the rest of the creative team on the script, to the casting, discussing set design and lighting, to rehearsals with the cast and guiding them through the process of discovering characters and making creative choices.
My role is to look at the picture as a whole. With a lot of help from everyone else of course!
How has the experience been so far?
It's been a very special journey. The collaboration between the team has been an absolute privilege. The time has been short but the dedication from everyone has been endless. This is the first musical I've directed so I've learned a lot from the talented people around me.
And watching the young people gives me goosebumps - amazing performances from everyone.
Tell us more about Calon.
It's a new jukebox musical with the absolutely amazing CPJ songs, 60 talented young people in the cast and a live band on stage. It's emotional, a little magical and it's full of CALON (heart)!
What are you most looking forward to?
Seeing everyone's hard work come to fruition next week. I hope everyone will be extremely proud of what they have created, and that everyone knows how proud I am of them all.
Describe the experience in 3 words.
Unforgettable. Emotional. Uplifting.
When you're not at the theatre, what else do you enjoy?
Reading novels, swimming in the sea and spending time with family and friends.
What advice would you give to a young person who is starting a career in theatre?
Go to the theatre every chance you get, read plays and (if possible) go to a drama college. What better opportunity is there for an actor than 3 years of refining the craft and studying different styles, making mistakes and big choices within a safe space?
This is a musical by Cwmni Theatr yr Urdd in collaboration with Theatr Cymru.
Calon will be performing on the 27 - 29 August at the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
Be sure to get your ticket to see the next generation of Welsh theatrical talent and celebrate the wealth of music composed by Caryl over the years.