Inclusive theatre pioneers Hijinx return with
packed summer schedule
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a landmark work of early sci-fi, has been inspiring creators for decades – the latest being one of Wales’ similarly pioneering theatre companies, Hijinx. Fresh from their digital reinterpretation of Pinnochio at the Wales Millennium Centre last December, the inclusive company’s latest work, the_crash.test – also at the WMC this May – will be a comedic, futuristic take on the idea of creating new life without quite knowing what the ramifications will be. In this case, tech start-up Figital are the Victor Frankenstein of the story and their A.I Bob (“a new thing-a-me-bob”) the ‘monster’.
“We are continually looking at new ways of creating our work and new ways of providing a platform for our brilliant artists,” Hijinx’s Artistic Direction Ben Pettit-Wade said. “Interaction has always been important to our performances, the challenge we have set ourselves is to provide an interactive experience that is equal, though different, for an audience online and in-person.”
Celebrated Virgins: LGBTQ+ history comes to the Welsh stage
Queer and Welsh history combine at Theatr Clwyd this month with Celebrated Virgins, an exciting dramatisation of the lives of the Ladies of Llangollen co-created by Katie Elin-Salt and Eleri B. Jones.
Following their collaboration on Elin-Salt’s first play Sprinkles, which ran at Chapter in December of last year, the duo are back with an innovative and compelling exploration of the sapphic love story of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby. Immortalised in poetry by William Wordsworth and visited by numerous famous faces of the time – including Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott, Percy Shelley and even a German Prince – the Georgian couple were as infamous as they were famous.
Originally from Ireland, they both sought refuge in Wales away from enforced marriages, desiring only the company of each other and their loyal servant, Mary Caryll, who made the trip with them and remained in their service until her death. Taking up residence in Plas Newydd in 1780, Eleanor and Sarah converted their modest home into a Welsh gothic mansion, where they lived for 50 years together, an unconventional partnership that was celebrated both during and long after their lives.
This new play seeks to challenge the image that has followed the couple both in life and in death, and give back a voice to the women whose story was so often only heard through the mouths of others. A modern period drama that promises to be a joyous and poignant examination of the way society sees difference, and a celebration of love in every form.
Celebrated Virgins, Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Fri 20 May-Sat 4 June. Tickets: from £10. Info:
theatrclwyd.com Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Thurs 9-Sat 11 June. Tickets: TBC. Info:
chapter.org
HARI BERROW 23
With technology becoming increasingly integrated into virtually every aspect of our day to day lives – arguably intrusively so at times – tales like these are becoming frighteningly easier for us to relate to. It’s fertile ground for a theatre company geared towards combining the physical and digital, too, including an award-winning use of Zoom in 2020 (who knew Zoom could be high art?)
Following its debut in Cardiff Bay, the_crash.test will go on the road for the 10th iteration of the Hijinx Unity Festival in June and July, starting in Cardiff before heading to Bangor and Llanelli. One of the biggest of its kind in Europe, the festival will see a huge variety of differently-abled performers participate in experimental theatre, dance, comedy, cabaret and film and street theatre pop-ups over 17 days, both in-person and streamed online on new digital platform, Hijinx Mobile.
the_crash.test, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 13 May, Sat 14 May and Fri 24 June. Tickets: £12. Info:
wmc.org.uk
Hijinx Unity Festival, Wales Millennium Centre / Porters / The Hayes, Cardiff, Thurs 16-Sun 26 June; Pontio, Bangor, Tue 28-Wed 29 June; Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli, Fri 1+ Sat 2 July. Info:
hijinx.org.uk/unity-festival-2022
HANNAH COLLINS
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