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Learning impact of military


TRIPTYCH, true to its name, is a production in three parts – theatre, dance and film installation – which is pre- sented across three sites. The concept has been lovingly and passionately created by Welsh native Judith Roberts, of De Oscuro. The trilogy offers a shocking, darkly hu- morous and profoundly mov- ing insight into the signifi- cant consequences of taking up arms – albeit in the name of “Queen and country”. In 2009, Judith was touring


with a production of La Casa de Bernarda Alba and the Welsh Guards were on their first tour of Afghanistan. Listening to the radio as she drove through the country- side Judith started to notice that barely a week went by without there being a soldier reported as killed –menof all ages and rank. The World at One interviewed the families of thosewho had died – moth- ers, wives, girlfriends – and Judith was struck by their dignity and pride. Thus began a desire to un- derstand why. Why choose to take up arms when it is no longer a requirement? Why volunteer to carry out diffi- cult and appalling acts in the line of duty? How does that decision affect your life and the lives of those you love? Since the beginning of 2014,


De Oscuro have been working withmorethanfortyveterans and their wives or partners to gain a true understanding of the impact of military ser-


vice. Thousands of veterans minds are tormented by the things they witnessed and performed in the line of duty. Loss of limb is visible; men- tal pain is not and so it is easi- ly dismissed. They try to hide it because they feel ashamed and, as a consequence, their situation deteriorates. Their family suffers and marital breakdown is common. Some of these veterans are young men who are now struggling to build a life in the civilian world. Many are older men, in their fifties and sixties, who continue to wrestle with the demons that haunt them. Triptych has evolved partly


to enable them to tell their story. They believed that by speaking out, they would help others understand the devastating, far-reaching and long-lasting impact that active military service can have. The sum of its parts. I) A video installation. A series of screens show a suc- cession of “talking heads” speaking openly and directly, painting a true picture of the aftermath of military service on those who served, and on those they love. In Cardiff this will be pre- sented in two locations: the intimate setting of several caravans on Chapter’s fore- court and a purpose-built structure, which will be erected in the main foyer at Wales Millennium Centre. II) A compelling, fam-


ily saga written by Gwyneth Glyn and Judith Roberts,


PRODUCTION: Tryptych


which observes the conse- quences of military service across several generations. Inspired by the tragedies of ancient Greece, this is the sto- ry of a family caught up in a web of secrets and lies. True to many homes in the valleys of South Wales, Welsh and English co-exist and weave effortlessly in and out of one another. Choral speaking and creative projection facilitate the use of two languages throughout the play. In Cardiff, this will be pre- sented in the grandeur of the Banking Hall at Portland House on Bute Street. III) An exhilarating new piece for two male dancers, which has been created in


Nine-year wait for Pinter play is over


IF you are holidaying by the sea- side this summer take care which B&B you stay in. Hopefully it won’t be like the seedy boarding house that is the setting for Har- old Pinter’s play The Birthday Party which is being performed by Off Centre Theatre at the Sa- voy Theatre in Monmouth on 18th to 20th June at 7.30pm. This ‘comedy of menace’ which


is an intriguing and unnerving play with odd-ball characters is one of Pinter’s earliest and most well known. In true Pinter style the storyline is ambiguous, ab- surd and intriguing and is guar-


anteed to encourage debate for some time amongst those who see it.


The play features Stanley Web-


ber who lodges at the boarding house run by Meg and her hus- band Petey. It is possibly Stanley’s birthday although he is adamant it’s not. When two sinister stran- gers arrive to stay and demand a celebration, his birthday party turns into a nightmare. This is the first time since 2006


that a Pinter play has been staged in Monmouth – the last was the Dumb Waiter which was also performed by Off Centre Thea-


tre to much acclaim. So, after a nine year wait, audiences once again have the opportunity to see a play by the Nobel prize-winner performed live in Monmouth by a talented cast. If you haven’t seen a Pinter play before, or if you are in need of a ‘Pinterersque’ experi- ence, now is your chance or you may have to wait at least another nine years. Tickets cost £9 and are available


from the Savoy Theatre box office, online at www.monmouth-savoy. co.uk or telephone 01600 772467.


PINTER PLAY: The Birthday Party


response to the veterans’ tes- timony and is presented in promenade. Choreographer: Gwyn Emberton. Members of the public can


buy tickets to parts two and three or just part two. Part one is free and can be viewed at anytime as an installation at the above venues. Public will move between venues for part two and three. Part three can only be viewed following part two. (Tickets cannot be purchased just for part three) The Cast Rhys Parry Jones (Hinter-


land, Outlander), Rebecca Harries (Hash Helmet, Stella), Huw Rhys (The Get Together, The Sanger), Ceri Murphy (Dyled Eileen, Y Storm) and


Catrin Morgan (Teulu, 35 Di- wrnod). Triptych is produced and directed by Judith Roberts. Gwyneth Glyn, co-writer of Triptych II, has produced work for Script Cymru, Sherman Cymru and Music Theatre Wales. Triptych III is choreographed by Gwyn Emberton. Triptych is produced in as- sociation with CHAPTER and Wales Millennium Cen- tre and is supported by the Arts Council of Wales. Performances run from


July 2-11 at various times. Visit wmc.org.uk or chapter. org or call 029 2063 6464 or 029 2030 4400 to book tickets and for further information.


7 Theatre


Acclaimed novel set for stage


The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time


THE National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, arrives at The Bristol Hippo- drome for one week from the 4th – 8th August 2015. The central role of Christo-


pher Boone is played by Joshua Jenkins, with Geraldine Alex- ander as his teacher Siobhan, Roberta Kerr as Mrs Alexan- der, Stuart Laing as his father Ed and Gina Isaacs as Judy. Swansea-born Joshua Jen-


kins makes his National Thea- tre debut as Christopher. His previous theatre credits in- clude: Dunsinane for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Na- tional Theatre of Scotland. Geraldine Alexander’s TV


work includes: Father Brown, Shetland, and the original se- ries of Taggart. Her recent theatre work includes Eleanor of Aquitaine in Holy Warriors at the Globe Theatre. Mark Haddon’s novel The Cu- rious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was published in 2003. It was the winner of more than 17 literary awards, includ- ing prizes in Japan, Holland and Italy as well as the Whit- bread Book of the Year Award in the UK in 2004, and was translated into 44 languages. A Spot of Bother, published in 2006, was also an international bestseller. Visit curiousonstage.com.


BRISTOL:


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