Prosiect 40°C

July 2022: the Met Office records the highest ever UK temperature.

40°C.

Prosiect 40°C is an ambitious long-term project from Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru responding to this critical moment in the climate crisis.

As we battle for a better world for future generations, we must challenge the old ways of responding to disasters in the natural world. We must look beyond the mainstream, rooting our ideas in the realities of contemporary Wales – in our land and our diverse communities.

The big question? How can live theatre help us to deepen our understanding of the climate crisis, to understand it not as something that exists not solely in a distant time or place, but as an intrinsic part of life in Wales today?

In August, Prosiect 40°C kickstarts with the Gwreiddioli residency, supported by Natural Resources Wales.

Guided by lead artist and curator Dylan Huw, 5 artists will come together at the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth to listen, challenge, co-imagine and develop creative ideas.

“Gwreiddioli” is a newly coined word which describes the process of creating original ideas with the ethos of deep rooting: in our land, our history and our community.

During the 4 day residency, the artists will be inspired to consider diverse perspectives on how the climate crisis intersects with everything else that defines life today. Every morning, guest artists and thinkers will present and discuss their work in order to spark conversations and ideas. In the afternoon, the artists will regroup and reflect, to discuss and to respond creatively to the themes without the pressure of having to present anything at the end of the residency. Keep an eye out for more information on the guest hosts in the coming weeks.

This is a transformative opportunity for a group of artists to ambitiously explore the potential of their work, to push the boundaries of theatre and to challenge common preconceptions about the climate crisis. The five artists participating in the project will each receive a fee of £1000.