Frân Wen Programme 2020/21

PROGRAMME 2020

With the announcement of our new programme, I’m really looking forward to embracing our new ways of working, connecting and creating a wide variety of ambitious and modern projects and productions. Working with National Eisteddfod of Wales, Wales Millennium Centre, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Sherman Theatre, Literature Wales and Pontio, and some of Wales’ most exciting artists, this is our most collaborative programme ever!

Whether it be a production or a work in development that’s part of our new Frân Wen Sgratsh sharing event, the next 6 months will see us tearing old classics to shreds, putting Frân Wen’s stamp on a musical, and experimenting with gig theatre for the first time. We’ll also be working with Frân Wen Young Company in totally new ways, by placing them at the heart of our programme to ensure the most inclusive and challenging experiences for our young people. Without forgetting of course the development of Nyth - our brand new home in Bangor.

We’ll also continue with our community projects that bring us so much satisfaction as a company - and continue to make a big difference to our amazing communities including Llwybrau Llachar, Nythu, and Encil.

We have one constant in our varied programme - the ambition to experiment, create bold theatre, and to offer opportunities for artists and communities to connect.

Whatever the circumstances, our programme will happen and will be shared with you - be it live, digital, or any other form, we’ll find a way. And we can’t wait for your response!

Stay safe, and remember that Frân Wen’s door is always open for a chat. We’d love to hear from you.

Gethin Evans, Frân Wen Artistic Director

Frân Wen

PROGRAMME

LOCKDOWN Before we start to look forward, we want to take a second to reflect on what we’ve done and who we’ve worked with during the last 16 weeks.

We’re proud to have offered 31 commissions to 24 artists, many of whom are very familiar to us at Frân Wen, and others who are new to the company and the sector. We’ve hosted 119 workshops for 1,874 young people, supported two new promising artists, and performed our first live digital

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theatre production that reached 4,305 people from Pen Llŷn to the depths of America, Spain, and Germany. We hope that we’ve played a small part in

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making these long and isolated days a little easier.

None of this would have been possible without the cooperation of our artists, young people and our communities, so a massive thanks to everyone who joined us on the journey. We’d like to thank our main funders,

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the Art Council of Wales, Gwynedd Council, and Isle of Anglesey County Council for believing in our vision and supporting us to continue to venture

24 artistS

and reach out at such a difficult time.

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PRODUCTION

FAUST

with Nia Lynn and Chwmni Ifanc Frân Wen

FRANWEN.COM/FAUST

PROGRAMME

Co-production with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and in partnership with Pontio

An interactive theatre production inspired by the classic German folklore about a man who sells his soul to the Devil.

This production brings together young people and professional actors to explore the human need for more, the urge for power, and the search for experiences that push boundaries to extremes.

As members of the audience, we’ll encourage you to immerse yourselves

CREATIVE TEAM

into new experiences. You’ll be introduced to the magical and dark world of

Creative Director: Nia Lynn

Faust, where the story’s path will be entirely in your hands. What will sacrifice

Co-Director: Gethin Evans

to experience the new? How far will you venture beyond the familiar and

With Frân Wen Young Company

comfortable?

Partners While using T Gwynn Jones’ adaptation as inspiration, this is a production that

Co-production with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and in

embraces social distancing limitations to offer a completely new, experimental,

partnership with Pontio.

and unexpected theatrical experience.

DATE Spring 2021

More information regarding recruiting and casting will be announced soon.

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EVENT

FRÂN WEN SGRATsH

FRANWEN.COM/SGRATCH

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Starting this autumn, our Sgratsh sharing events will give you a glimpse into the productions we have at R&D stage. They will include readings from development work and informal discussions about the concepts, stories, and projects that are inspiring and keeping us busy us here at Frân Wen. We’re very proud to collaborate with some of Wales’ most progressive and ambitious artists to create bold and relevant productions for our audiences. Hopefully Frân Wen Sgratsh will help bring our inquisitive and passionate audiences with us on our journeys.

Whether it be online or live, in small or large groups - we’re committed to sharing our story with you in the most suitable way.

Location and time details to be announced soon!

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PROGRAMME

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IN DEVELOPMENT

Diwrnod Arall with Casi Wyn and Gethin Evans

FRANWEN.COM/DIWRNODARALL

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With support from Sherman Theatre

An electrifying combination of live theatre and pop music which will challenge the quest for independence.

A gig-theatre production that follows the story of an eighteen year old girl, as she returns home to vote in Wales’ first independence referendum.

Identity, independence, tensions, and rebellion. What it’s like to take this leap? If it was offered, would you take it?

Creative Team Playwright and composer: Casi Wyn Director: Gethin Evans Partners With support from Sherman Theatre.

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IN DEVELOPMENT

BRANWEN with Seiriol Daves, Hanna Jarman, Elgan Rhys and Gethin Evans

FRANWEN.COM/BRANWEN

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In partnership with Wales Millennium Centre

Our most classic myth reimagined for this world on the brink. A fierce, explosive contemporary musical.

As the kingdom crumbles, the old generation falters, and everything that once was certain begins to fall apart, two young sisters see their chance.

If they can ride the chaos they can seize power, change the world; get

Creative Team

what they’ve always been denied… a voice.

Music, lyrics and additional material: Seiriol Davies Script: Elgan Rhys and Hanna Jarman

But what sacrifice will be demanded?

Director: Gethin Evans

An anarchic epic about love, power, loyalty and other fables we tell

Partners

ourselves to make us believe we’re in control.

In partnership with Wales Millennium Centre.

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IN DEVELOPMENT

Popeth Ar y Ddaear

FRANWEN.COM/paydd

PROGRAMME

with Marged Tudur, Nico Dafydd and Osian Williams In partnership with the National Eisteddfod of Wales and Literature Wales

An ambitious combination spoken word, music and theatre.

This is a production that explores how individuals react when their freedom and free will are taken away - and what happens when they have no choice?

Creative Team Words: Marged Tudur

This is a story of faith, loss and strength in the face of a catastrophic

Creative Director: Nico Dafydd

disaster.

Composer: Osian Willimas With Frân Wen Young Company Partners In partnership with the National Eisteddfod of Wales and Literature Wales.

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PROGRAMME

*OPEN CALL* The development of POPETH AR Y DDAEAR will include 3 commissions to young writers that will include a mentorship programme with the creative team. Watch this space for the announcement of the commissions soon.

Literature Wales, Frân Wen, and the National Eisteddfod of Wales are glad to announce the open call for young writers under 30 to join the creative team to write Popeth ar y Ddaear.

For more details go to MAES B O BELL on Insta Live at 8 pm on Friday, 7 August.

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COMMUNITY PROJECT

with the support of Children in Need

FRANWEN.COM/llwybrau-llachar

PROGRAMME

This summer our development program for young artists with additional needs will move to the world of dance, design, music, and writing.

Under the guidance of inspiring artists like Meilir Williams, Cai Tomos, Casi Wyn, and Gwyn Eiddior, and support from young volunteers, the young artists will have the opportunity to develop their area of artistic interest that will also lead to public sharing of the work in the autumn.

The individuals will also meet regularly as one group to develop a joint-project.

With the support of Mantell Gwynedd and Comic Relief.

As a progression of the Llwybrau Llachar project, this is an opportunity for young people between the age of 14 - 25 to meet regularly to develop their unique art through skills sharing workshops and masterclasses with leading theatre makers.

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COMMUNITY PROJECT

FRANWEN.COM/NYTH

PROGRAMME

with Mari Morgan and Elgan Rhys

As a part of the development of our new home in Bangor, Nythu is working with a community of people over the age of 65 in the local area.

With workshops happening over the phone and through the post, the community is developing a story book - to be published in August - which will look back at the past to make sense and celebrate the present.

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PROGRAMME

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PROGRAMME

ARTIST DEVELOPMENT

ARTIST DEVELOPMENT

#2020 // PYS MELYN

ENCIL

With support from Big Ideas Wales and M-Sparc

As a part of a project that saw young people pitching ideas for creative events earlier this year, the band Pys Melyn are being supported to develop an exciting concept that will combine a gig and live video.

Our commitment to nurturing young artists is more important than ever.

Alongside the call for young writers as part of the Popeth ar y Ddaear project, we are also committed to offering two residencies every year to up to two young artists under the age of 25. The support package will include maintenance, space and resources to create including access to professional mentors.

The musicians are busy working on the project and the details will be shared in September - so watch this space!

Application details will be announced in September.

#2020 Pitching creative ideas for young people.

Tra’n Aros Young artists’ residence with Lauren Connelly and Hafwen Hibbard.

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PROGRAMME

YOUNG COMPANY

Frân Wen Young Company is a platform to discuss, connect and express - the foundation for all our work at Frân Wen. Are you a young person under the age of 25 that wants to create, produce and share theatre alongside inspiring professional artists - productions such as Popeth ar y Ddaear and Faust?

We’ve also got opportunities to develop their unique art through a series of skills sharing workshops and masterclasses with leading theatre makers, experience the most relevant and bold theatre across the UK, and play a central part in the decisions, programming, and governance of Frân Wen.

At the moment we’re recruiting for members of the company for the next years - so contact us through Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you want to know more. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE EXPERIENCED, only a passion to discuss, have something to say, and the desire to discover new things.

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