upfront Llygoden Yr Eira
November Roundup Jamie Rees is back again, bringing his Welsh theatrical knowledge to bear on Buzz. For November, he’s especially exercised about two homegrown national tours.
While the theatre scene is still a little quiet at the moment, there are some gems to pick out here and there around the country this November. One of the most encouraging things is seeing both of our national theatre companies, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and National Theatre Wales, hitting the road with comprehensive tours in Welsh and English respectively.
The Welsh-language Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, who remained so busy and creative during lockdown to keep theatre alive in Wales, will be touring with Llygoden Yr Eira. The tour will open at Ffwrnes in Llanelli on Thurs 18 Nov before visiting Brecon, Cardiff, Pontardawe, Barry, Ystradynglais, Mold, Bala and Caernarfon.
Possible
Adapted from the English-language The Snow Mouse by The Egg and Taking Flight Theatre, and produced in partnership with Theatr Iolo, this production is an enchanting, wintery tale filled with play, puppetry and music for children under five (and their families). If you’re looking for an early festive foray into a theatre, before the craziness of panto begins, then this is a great place to get that Christmas spirit going.
Meanwhile, the English-language National Theatre Wales have opted for something very different for their Welsh autumn tour. Again, it is so encouraging to see a producing theatre company such as this going the extra mile to bring live theatre back for the people of Wales to enjoy.
Possible was originally a piece of digital theatre developed by performer and storyteller Shôn Dale-Jones in lockdown. I was fortunate enough to see it when it was first performed online in July, and am delighted to see it naturally progress to a performance in front of a live audience. I said of the piece, in my review at the time, “If ever there was a production ‘for our times’ it’s this. If ever we needed a show about love it was now. And, if this is where theatre is after a year of living through a pandemic then it is as much a performance about hope as it is about anything else.”
Dial M For Murder
Autobiographical, very real and honest, Possible is a breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to see how the performer and his creative team bring this to a live audience. The online version was genre-defining digital theatre, storytelling with heart and important lessons from lockdown: I wonder how the live version can be developed to up date the story and bring a new dimension. The tour opens at the Sherman in Cardiff on Thurs 4 Nov, then heading to Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, Milford Haven, Aberystwyth, Mold, Bangor, Barry, Aberdyfi and Newport.
One venue that has seen its programme packed out with a really great mix of musicals, comedy and drama in recent weeks is Cardiff’s New Theatre. Right on cue and perfect autumn fodder comes three consecutive scary stage shows at the venue this November. There’s a murderous start to the month, with Dial M For Murder starring Diana Vickers and Tom Chambers (Tue 2 to Sat 6 Nov) followed by another suspenseful drama in The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (Tue 9 to Sat 13 Nov). On a lighter, but no less spookier, note comes the musical The Addams Family (Tue 16 to Sat 20 Nov) – starring Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton as Morticia, and with extraordinary music and lyrics by TONY award-nominated Andrew Lipp.
Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
Theatre In Wales:
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