Romeo a Juliet: exploring Welshness with young people

As Theatr Cymru prepares for the production of Romeo and Juliet this autumn, hundreds of young people across Wales have been busy thinking up ideas for a short film, which will be shared as a curtain raiser during each performance throughout the tour.

Under the creative guidance of our Participation Coordinator, Sian Elin James and the artists Nia Morais and Connor Allen, pupils from 6 secondary schools have taken part in creative workshops that explore what Wales means to young people today. The schools are: Ysgol Glan Clwyd (St Asaph), Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (Cardiff), Bishop of Llandaff High School (Cardiff), Ysgol Gyfun Community Penweddig (Aberystwyth), Penglais School (Aberystwyth) and St Michael’s School (Llanelli).

The aim of the project is to explore the relationship between young people and Wales by focusing on their experiences, their identity, and their connection with the Welsh language and culture. The workshops are a space where they can express their opinion about their Welsh identity in a creative way, regardless of their ability in the Welsh language.

Connor and Nia will use ideas from the workshops to write a bilingual poem which will then be turned into a short film. The young people from the workshops will appear in the film - which is being created by Dafydd Hughes from the company Amcan - and the finished work will be shared with audiences during every performance of Romeo a Juliet in the autumn.

Sian Elin, our Participation Coordinator is very excited to work on this project: 
"Theatre should be open, inclusive and live for the whole community, and this project is a testament to that. By uniting creativity, communities and different experiences, we have created opportunities for young people across Wales to engage with this classic story and boost confidence, imagination and a sense of belonging. It has been a great experience coordinating this project and working alongside the incredible poets Nia Morais and Connor Allen. Together with the participants, their voices bring new and infectious life and energy to the world of Romeo a Juliet. I can't wait to see the poem in the form of a short film being shown before every show across Welsh theatres and at Shakespeare's Globe in London as a culmination of the young people's fantastic work".

Nia Morais noted how Shakespeare’s themes still resonate with young people today:  
"It was a privilege to visit Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Ysgol Glantaf and Ysgol Penweddig as part of this project, and to be able to discuss how Shakespeare's themes still hold up today. Young people are under immense pressure to succeed in a world that looks more unstable every day, and the arts is a great way of reminding us that love and hope can be found everywhere."

Connor Allen was thrilled to hear new viewpoints from the participants:  
“Being a part of this project has been nothing short of eye-opening to me, as I've met and engaged with young people all over Wales and really started to understand how they see not only their local communities, but the world and themselves in it. To fully understand the world today, look at it through a young person’s eyes – and this project has given me that honour.” 

The schools involved have really enjoyed being part of the project. Tomos Wyn, a teacher at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, said: 
"The pupils loved the workshop, with lively conversation and lots of discussion. They are really looking forward to filming the final piece, and even more excited to appear in theatres across Wales.”

A huge diolch to all the pupils and teachers who have welcomed us to their schools - and a huge thank you to Sian Elin, Nia and Connor for facilitating interesting and interactive workshops in order to share stories and explore Welsh identity in a contemporary and inclusive way. We are look forward to seeing their work come to life.

Romeo a Juliet will embark on a national tour throughout Wales on 29 September until 23 October before heading to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London between 5-8 November. This is the first time ever that a Welsh play has appeared on stage there.