PROGRAMME 2021/22
WELCOME
Here we are again, ready to share our new programme of work for the next 5 months. As we continue to live through the pandemic, we’ll be going into our communities, working with partners and touring across the country to celebrate the perspectives of our young people. THEATR x RAP x POP We’re touring Welsh theatres with a brand new production in March. A combination of theatre, rap and pop, Ynys Alys explores who we are in times of great change. The work has been developed with musician Casi Wyn, rapper Lemfreck, sound producer Alex Miedo and playwright Gareth EvansJones. The concept of Ynys Alys was developed in response to ‘chants’ on a bus trip to Manchester with Frân Wen Young Company a couple of years ago. We started creating a production about Welsh independence but after a couple of intense R&D stages, it became clear that there was much more than independence to discuss... and what does it even mean? NEW PARTNERSHIP Our new strategic and creative partnerships with Gwynedd Youth Service and GISDA are extremely exciting. The Nabod (to know) and Dim Byd Fatha Chdi (there’s nothing like you) projects will elevate the voices of young people by co-creating and pushing change in our society. There will be a lot of noise across North Wales over the coming months so be prepared to listen! SCAFFOLD IS UP Some more positive news is that the builders have started work on our new home in Bangor. Nyth (nest) will become a hub for young people, artists and the wider community to come together, connect, challenge, create and share through the arts. Before that we have have moved to a shop in the Deiniol Shopping Center in Bangor city centre. Our door is always open - pop in for a chat and let’s start sharing some ideas. Gethin Evans. Frân Wen Artistic Director.
YNYS ALYS YNYS ALYS YNYS ALYS YNYS ALYS PRODUCTION
YNYS ALYS
FRANWEN.COM/YNYSALYS
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With support from Pontio
Theatre, pop music and rap collide in this
Welsh language production that follows a young girl as she sets out in search of her independence.
It’s time for Alys to start living her best life. But in the darkness of her dreams, she becomes trapped in an old haunt. Can she conquer her fears? Can she become the Alys she wants to be? Ynys Alys explores who we are in times of change and what we truly hope to hold on to in a new world. CREATIVE TEAM Touring Wales 17 March - 9 April 2022.
Director: Gethin Evans Playwright: Gareth Evans-Jones
PARTNER
Composer and lyrics: Casi Wyn, Lemfreck a Alex Miedo
Supported by Pontio.
Associate Director: Hannah McPake
T I C K E T S F R A N W E N . C O M / Y N Y S A LY S 3
FRÂN WEN
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NABOD
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In partnership with GISDA
We look forward to getting our partnership off the ground with Gisda, a local charity that does a great job in supporting the homeless and vulnerable young people of North West Wales. The Nabod (to know) project will actively promote the voices of young people supported by the charity by co-creating honest and live theatre that encourages social change. By bringing collaboration, engagement and training to the forefront, innovative, original and relevant artistic output will emerge with a farreaching legacy. PARTNER GISDA
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ARTISTIAID ARTISTIAID ARTISTIAID ARTISTIAID PROJECT
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
FRANWEN.COM/DATBLGYUARTIST
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In partnership with National Eisteddfod of Wales
An artist development programme to explore new approaches to engaging audiences.
Building on the success of last year’s new writers programme, we will continue our partnership with the National Eisteddfod of Wales to develop new theatre artists. We have already commissioned three new pieces of work from last year’s programme, so it is exciting that we are able to extend this year to theatre makers from all disciplines. This year there will be a particular focus on technology and outdoor theatre. The opportunity will offer training, mentorship, network development and the opportunity to share the work at the Eisteddfod in 2022. Watch this space for details of the recruitment window in the new year. PARTNER National Eisteddfod of Wales
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FRÂN WEN
CWMNI IFANC CWMNI IFANC CWMNI IFANC CWMNI IFANC DIM BYD ‘THA CHDI
FRANWEN.COM/DIMBYD
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Frân Wen Young Company will
continue with their artistic programme. The platform is an opportunity for young people to come together to discuss, connect and express themselves, and forms the basis of all the work of Frân Wen. From January to April, we will be working with Gwynedd Youth on Dim Byd ‘tha Chdi (there’s nothing like you), a project that will extend our work with young people from diverse communities across the county. Creating hubs of young people, we will promote well-being and sharing, discussing the past, the future and the here and now. We will bring these hubs of young people together to create a special slam event, which will combine to create a noisy, colorful. and dazzling experience that will lead to a sharing event in April.
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AELODAU CYSWLLT AELODAU CYSWLLT ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
FRANWEN.COM/AELOD-CYSWLLT
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We have also launched a brand new Associate Member scheme.
It will put a group of young people at the heart of everything the
company does - from the development of our artistic programme to the way we communicate, the development of our new home and to ensure inclusion in everything we do.
You’ll be able to follow the antics of associate members in the new year.
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LLWYBRAU LLACHAR LLWYBRAU LLACHAR PROJECT
LLWYBRAU LLACHAR With support from Children in Need
FRANWEN.COM/LLWYBRAU-LLACHAR
PROGRAMME
Our prorgamme for a new
generation of young artists with additional needs is going from strength to strength.
In the new year we will be recruiting for the latest round of the Llwybrau Llachar programme, which is an opportunity for young people with additional needs to work with professional artists to create work that responds to their creative ambitions.
The group will also meet monthly as a group to develop a joint project and we look forward to sharing their work in April 2022.
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FRÂN WEN
FRANWEN.COM