Gwlad yr Asyn

Ari is not your usual donkey; she was raised in a cosy home by a kind old lady. Now living in a donkey sanctuary somewhere in West Wales, she yearns for a life once more among humans. After being bought by a new owner, an unexpected friendship grows between her and an unruly, rebellious donkey, and she suddenly becomes aware of her captivity.

Gwlad yr Asyn was originally presented in summer 2021, as a co-production between Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Os Nad Nawr. Playwright Wyn Mason, co-founder of Os Nad Nawr, hails from Ceredigion and was excited to share this pleasant production in his home county.

While preparing to stage the production for the second time in 2022, Wyn Mason said:

"I’m delighted that the play will finally be staged at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron: that was the original plan. It's the perfect setting for the story, not far from Aberystwyth, where donkeys provide rides along the beach, and within sight of the Pumlumon hills, where they would like to escape! I'm looking forward to seeing how the staging of the play at Theatr y Maes, an indoor venue, will change the feel of the show, compared to last summer's outdoor performances."

The play was directed by Steffan Donnelly, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru's Artistic Director. This was his first production after starting in his new role, and he was thrilled to work again with actor Gwenllian Higginson (Merched Caerdydd, Macbeth, Enid a Lucy, 35 Diwrnod) and composers and musicians Sam Humphreys and Bethan Rhiannon, from renowned folk band Calan. Steffan said;

'Welcoming audiences back for the first time since the start of the pandemic with Gwlad yr Asyn in 2021 was a thrilling experience. I'm so glad there’s another opportunity to see this play as part of all the activity of the Eisteddfod. Experience a feast of live electro-folk music, an hour of imaginative and humorous allegorical storytelling, and Gwenllian Higginson's magical performance.'