Theatr Cymru and Urdd Theatre Company announce exciting partnership

Theatr Cymru is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with the Urdd Theatre Company to support its staging of the musical Calon. The production, filled with iconic songs by Caryl Parry Jones, will be staged at the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, from 27 to 29 August 2026.

As part of this special partnership, Rhian Blythe – Associate Director at Theatr Cymru – will direct Calon, bringing her extensive experience as a director and actor to more than 100 performers aged between 15 and 25 from across Wales. Gareth Wyn Roberts – Head of Production at Theatr Cymru – will join the production team, providing additional support as Production Manager and offering professional mentoring to the young backstage crew.

Director Rhian Blythe can’t wait to work with the next generation of theatrical talent in Wales: 

"After a weekend at the Urdd’s home in Cardiff Bay with Caryl, Non, Miriam, Elan, Math, Branwen and 6 young actors working on the script for Calon, my own ‘calon’ (heart) was bursting. Alongside Caryl's amazing songs, this story will appeal to people of all ages; there's a nostalgia for those golden summers of the past, and yet the story is a contemporary one. Young people struggling to find their place in the world, to be heard, and on their journey discovering their tribe, their chosen family. This will definitely be a heart-warming show, and I feel very privileged to be part of it."

This partnership marks a significant investment in young Welsh-language talent. It will be the Urdd Theatre Company’s biggest production since re-launching during the Urdd’s centenary year in 2022 – and this collaboration underlines Theatr Cymru's commitment to nurturing the next generation of theatre creators in Wales.

Branwen Davies, Urdd Theatre Company Organiser, welcomes the partnership and looks forward to working with Rhian, Gareth and the wider Theatr Cymru team over the coming months:

"The Urdd Theatre Company aims to ensure that our members have the opportunity to work with the very best in the arts in Wales. To be able to collaborate with Theatr Cymru on such a special production is a thrill and will be an absolutely invaluable experience for our members."

Announcing the partnership today at a launch event at St Fagans National History Museum, Steffan Donnelly, Artistic Director of Theatr Cymru, is delighted to support Urdd Theatre Company's creative vision:

"It's great to be working with the Urdd Theatre Company to achieve this ambitious vision of a new musical on one of Europe's biggest stages. Caryl and Non have created a unique and mischievous show that celebrates the young people of Wales. I'm pleased that we're coming together to develop the next generation of Welsh artists and theatre workers."

Calon is an original contemporary musical by Caryl Parry Jones, Non Parry, Elan Isaac and Miriam Isaac that celebrates the catalogue of songs composed by Caryl over the decades. Tickets are available through the Wales Millennium Centre Box Office.