Nyrsys Programme (ENGLISH)

In association with Pontio

#Nyrsys

@TheatrGenCymru

theatr.cymru

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru Y Llwyfan, College Road, Carmarthen, SA31 3EQ thgc@theatr.com +44 (0)1267 233 882

NYRSYS TOUR, 2018 Pontio, Bangor

Hafren, Newtown

The Lyric, Carmarthen

Borough Theatre, Abergavenny

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan

6 + 7 November pontio.co.uk

23 November thehafren.co.uk

9 + 10 November theatrausirgar.co.uk

27 November boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk

13 + 14 November aberystwythartscentre.co.uk

16 + 17 November rwcmd.ac.uk

Theatr Clwyd, Mold 20 + 21 November theatrclwyd.com

1 December taliesinartscentre.co.uk 4 December mwldan.co.uk

Galeri, Caernarfon 7 + 8 December galericaernarfon.com

A Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru production in association with Pontio #Nyrsys

@TheatrGenCymru

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru is a Member of Arts Portfolio Wales, Arts Council of Wales.

Company registration number: 4784488. Registered charity number: 1106032 Cover image: Nelmes Design. Images from the rehearsal room: Kirsten McTernan. Design: Nelmes Design

theatr.cymru

By Bethan Marlow Songs by Rhys Taylor + Bethan Marlow Original idea by Sara Lloyd + Bethan Marlow

The play’s full text is available on the company’s website - theatr.cymru

As this year sees the NHS turn 70, we take a look behind the scenes of a busy cancer ward in a hospital in Wales today, with a script and songs created from interviews with real nurses. This new play shines a light on nurses’ experiences — the challenges they face in their day-to-day work and the mischief, sisterhood and sense of vocation that sustains them. A heartfelt depiction of the life and work of these real-life heroes who care for us and our loved ones within a healthcare system that’s under perpetual strain.

Nyrsys is a Welsh-language production. For a live audio translation during the performance, and for access to this programme in English, please access SIBRWD. SIBRWD is an app for smartphones and tablets guiding non-Welsh speakers and Welsh beginners through the performance. Download from the App Store and Google Play.

A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR BETHAN MARLOW I’ve been struggling to write this piece for the programme. How do I start explaining the process of writing a play that’s taken four years to finish?

As one nurse said, ‘I’ll do my best’.

Writing a verbatim play doesn’t happen overnight. Not at all! You have to think of a starting point first — subject, event, theme.

It could be anything, as long as it captures your imagination.

Nurses. That was the starting point for Sara and me. We interviewed and researched and typed it all up (there’s a LOT of typing involved!) and then stood back and thought ‘what’s this play about?’, ‘what exactly are we trying to say?’ and ‘why now?’. The challenge is to answer these questions — this is what takes time. I have hours and hours of amazing and interesting content, which has made me laugh out loud and burst into floods of tears. But how do I knit together the words of 25 nurses from across Wales with the things I want to say and show, as well as making sure I have a play that will entertain audiences?

I don’t know. That’s the most honest answer I can give you. I asked one nurse, ‘how does one be a nurse? How do you do it?’, and her answer was, ‘we just…. just…’ She couldn’t say more as it’s something she does daily, instinctively, something that just makes sense to her.

I can see patterns in the things that people say, I can see the words from one interview set side by side with another in my head, I collect sentences that come under the same theme, and then I just… just…

I’ve had a great time interviewing and chatting and having cups of tea (there’s LOTS of tea-drinking involved in this process!) with each and every one of these nurses. It’s been an absolute honour to use their words because they’re important words that deserve to be heard on stage.

This play is a small gift to every nurse in the country who work so hard to look after us — and this time I get to use my own words to say ‘thank you, thank you, thank you’.

A CHAT WITH IRIS WILLIAMS, SPECIALIST CLINICAL NURSE, HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD

Why did you decide to become a specialist clinical nurse?

To make a positive difference to patients with bowel cancer and patients who need stoma (children and adults). I work in the hospital and in the community, and it’s an honour to get to know and support people at such difficult times in their lives. As a Specialist Clinical Nurse it’s possible to provide support to make sure the patient is always central to the care, from diagnosis to follow-up visits.

my contribution to caring for patients needing a stoma. As an experienced nurse in the field, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to share good practice and personal values by using leadership skills. I use Welsh in my work from day to day, and being able to communicate with patients in their mother tongue is extremely important, especially when discussing personal matters. Providing bilingual care is essential for patients who speak Welsh.

Who or what inspires you?

What did you do before you specialised?

I’ve been working as a nurse for over 35 years, which is half the time the health service has been in existence! I’ve been in my current role for 22 years and have been fortunate to work in different roles at Glangwili hospital. I’ve worked in various departments in hospitals and spent time as a community nurse. In the nineties I spent some time working in infection research in the Department for Public Health in London, and as a nurse on a film set — which sounds very glamorous but in reality it was hard work!

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy making a difference to people’s lives daily — no two days are the same. I really enjoy my work, although it can be challenging at times, as with any job! I’m proud to be able to provide care of a high standard, based on research, to support my patients in coping with the operations that change their lives. Last year it was an honour for me to receive an award from the Royal College of Nursing for

Patients and the way they adapt and cope with a diagnosis of cancer that changes their lives.

What advice would you give to nurses who have just registered?

Ensure you have a good work-life balance.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Have confidence in your own opinion.

Don’t ever lose your passion for providing a high standard of care.

Invest in a comfortable pair of shoes!

My sister, Anwen (Stoddart), works as a Sister on the Urology ward at Glangwili hospital. Yes, a sister who’s a Sister! We’ve been working with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru during the rehearsals to share information and experiences. It’s been great to be a part of this production, and as nurses ourselves we appreciate the fact that the production team has worked with those in the health service to ensure that the play is a true representation of a nurse’s work in 2018.

CAST

CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION TEAM

Bethan Ellis Owen Carys Gwilym Mirain Haf Roberts Mali Jones Elain Lloyd

Playwright Bethan Marlow

Production Manager Giles Parbery

Director Sara Lloyd

Stage Manager Caryl McQuilling

Composer Rhys Taylor

BAND Conductor and Keyboards Barnaby Southgate Drums and Percussion Huw Williams Electric Bass and Double Bass Callum Duggan

Set and Costume Designer Lucy Hall Lighting Designer Ceri James Sound Designer Dyfan Jones Musical Director Barnaby Southgate

Costume Supervisor Erin Maddocks Deputy Stage Manager Lisa Briddon Assistant Stage Manager Daniel Owen Richards Lighting Technician Morgan Matthews Production Sound Engineer Gareth Brierley

Movement Director Eddie Ladd

Sound Engineer 1 and Technical Stage Manager Dan Jones

Assistant Movement Director Deborah Light

Sound Engineer 2 and Assistant Stage Manager Morgan James

British Sign Language Interpreter Cathryn McShane Sibrwd Dramaturg and Sibrwd Operator Chris Harris

THEATR GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU STAFF Associate Director Sarah Bickerton Head of Production Angharad Mair Davies Executive Producer Rhian A. Davies Technical Officer Ffen Evans Artistic Director Arwel Gruffydd Finance Manager Meinir James Executive Director Angharad Jones Leefe Participation and Marketing Officer Llinos Jones Marketing and Communications Manager Mair Jones

Marketing Officer Carys Tudor Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru Board Of Trustees Gwerfyl Pierce Jones (Chair) Catrin Beard Arwel Edwards Carys Edwards Gwenda Griffith Arwel Gruffydd Elwyn Jones W. Gwyn Jones Elfed Roberts Meilyr Rhys Williams Catherine Rees Henry Rees Gwyn Williams

Acknowledgements Nick Armstrong Cath Ayres Catrin Brooks Delyth Eirwyn Mirain Fflur Elin Haf Davies Lynwen Haf Roberts Rebecca Harries Siw Hughes Catrin Mara Leisa Mererid Catrin Powell Anwen Stoddart Gwyn Vaughan Jones Iris Williams.

All the nurses who agreed to talk to Bethan and Sara over the years and the friends and colleagues who came to the readings.

Administration and Finance Officer Nesta Jones Assistant Producer Nia Skyrme Associate Producer Fflur Thomas Volunteer Participation Assistant Meilyr Tomos

With tender memories of Novella Coupland, Receptionist at Y Llwyfan, the headquarters of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, who passed away during the rehearsal period.

CAST Bethan Ellis Owen

Carys Gwilym

Education / Training: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff.

Education / Training: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff.

Theatre work includes: Bownsars, Oleanna (Cwmni Theatr Gwynedd).

Theatre work includes: Unbind The Wing (Pigtown Theatre); Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Frantic Assembly/ Television and film work includes: Pobol Hijinx); Kate (Mewn Cymeriad); Raslas, y Cwm, Rownd a Rownd, Lolipop, Y Tŷ, Ga’ i fod, Te yn y Grug/Cyfaill, Un Rhyw Fath o Fusnes, Asembli, Solomon Nos Ola Leuad, Llyfr Mawr y Plant a Gaenor, Lois, Emyn Roc a Rôl.

(Theatr Bara Caws); Bankrupt Bride, Nyrsys in three words: Honest, heartMelangell, Chwedlau Aesop (Theatr na wrenching, funny. n’Óg); Hen Rebel (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Johnny Delaney, Hawl, Tyd Adra (Cwmni’r Frân Wen); Rala Rwdins Mirain Haf Roberts (Arad Goch); Mae Sian yn Gadael Education / Training: Royal Academy of Cymru, Mefus (Y Gymraes).

Music, London Television and film work includes: Sblij a Sbloj; Rownd a Rownd; Pobol y Cwm; Theatre work includes: Cariad Mr Gwaith Cartref; Talcen Caled; Treflan; Bustl (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Babelsberg — Gruff Rhys (Barbican and Amdani; Y Gwanwyn a’r Gwin; Mefus.

Festival of Voice, Wales Millennium Radio work includes: Stranger in the Centre); Lle-Chi (Pontio); Dros y Top, Tea Leaves; Cyffro Malfinas; Torri Calon; Hwyliau’n Codi (Theatr Bara Caws); The Dene Chi Senedd; Beyblades.

Pajama Game (Union Theatre); Amazing Nyrsys in three words: Frustrating, Grace (Wales Theatre Company). challenging, devoted.

Television and film work includes: Dim Ond y Gwir; Porth Penwaig; Ista’n Bwl; Cei Bach; A470; Rownd a Rownd.

Nyrsys in three words: Timely, heartwrenching, honest.

Mali Jones Education / Training: London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Theatre work includes: Extinct (Yellobrick); Hud y Crochan Uwd (Sherman); Tom the Musical, Rosie’s War (Theatr na n’Óg); The Compleat Female Stage Beauty, She Stoops to Conquer, The Importance of Being Earnest, Moll Flanders (Mappa Mundi).

Television and film work includes: Morfydd; All in Good Time; Amser Maith yn Ôl; Gwaith Cartref; Will; 35 Diwrnod; Pobol y Cwm; Porc Peis Bach; Pentrebach.

Nyrsys in three words: Challenging, inspiring, playful..

Elain Lloyd Education / Training: Central School of Speech and Drama, London.

Theatre work includes: Hwn yw Fy Mrawd (National Eisteddfod of Wales); Chwalfa, C’laen Ta, Deffro’r Gwanwyn (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Pins and Needles (The Cock Tavern Theatre); Fame (Salle des Princes).

Television and film work includes: Dim Ond y Gwir; The Golden Years; Stella; Dona Direidi, Do Re Mi Dona, Da ’di Dona, Dathlu ’da Dona; Grandpa In My Pocket; Xtra; Y Mynydd Grug.

Nyrsys in three words: Important, emotional, timely.

TÎM CREADIGOL Playwright Bethan Marlow

Director Sara Lloyd

Bethan trained as an actress before realising she was a playwright. She travelled the world volunteering in communities abroad before realising that she could weave her love of theatre and communities together to create plays with a purpose. People’s life journeys are what makes Bethan want to write, and she works very closely with people before representing their voices on ‘stage’ (not always in a theatre) in productions such as C’laen ta! and Blodyn (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), A Queer Christmas (Mess Up The Mess) and Sgint (Sherman/ Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru). Some of her previous productions include The Beach (National Theatre Wales), Such Tweet Sorrow (Royal Shakespeare Company), Cysgu’n Brysur (Arad Goch/Aberystwyth Arts Centre/Wales Millenium Centre), From Land To Mouth (Pentabus). Bethan won the Iris Stories Award (Iris Film Festival/S4C), she was chosen to take part in ‘Y Labordy’ and received the Creative Wales Award, Arts Council of Wales. Bethan is originally from Bethel, Caernarfon but now lives in Miami with her wife and two children.

Nyrsys in three words: Important, endearing, hilarious.

Education / Training: Theatre work as a director includes: Anweledig (Frân Wen); Merch yr Eog (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru/Teatr Piba); Rhith Gân (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru/National Eisteddfod of Wales); Swansea’s Three Night Blitz (Swansea Grand/Joio); Yr Hwyaden Fach Hyll/The Ugly Duckling (Sherman Cymru/ Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Dŵr Mawr Dyfn (Sherman Cymru/Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru/ National Eisteddfod of Wales); Pridd (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Leaves on the Line (Royal Court/Dirty Protest); Under the Sofa and Breathe (Almeida/Dirty Protest); ’Fala Surion (Cwmni’r Frân Wen); Tân Mewn Drain (Sherman Cymru).

Work as an associate director includes: Cyrano de Bergerac (Theatr Clwyd); Blodyn (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); The Harri-Parris: The Leaving Do (Mai oh Mai Productions/Sherman Cymru); Patagonia — Yr Hirdaith (National Youth Theatre Wales).

Work as a dramaturg includes: Y Tŵr (Opera for Music Theatre Wales/Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru) and a dance piece, Babalus (ICoDaCo), on tour in Wales and Sweden.

Nyrsys in three words: Love in a crisis.

Images from the rehearsal room: Kirsten McTernan

CREATIVE TEAM Composer Rhys Taylor

Designer Lucy Hall

Education / Training: Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

Work as an instrumentalist and music director includes: Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London; national and international shows, and shows in the West End, e.g. West Side Story, Billy Elliot, Chicago and Miss Saigon. Various roles in eisteddfodau, including working as a performer, adjudicator, commentator, master of ceremonies, composer and arranger. At this year’s Cardiff National Eisteddfod, Rhys was responsible for arranging the orchestral score for the opening concert Hwn Yw Fy Mrawd, and his most recent creation was the evening ‘50 Shêd o Lleucu Llwyd’. Rhys considers it a privilege to work as a composer for the first time on this production of Nyrsys.

Nyrsys in three words: Honest, real, emotional.

Education / Training: University of the Arts, London / University of the West of England Theatre work includes: West End, Happy Days (Ambassadors Theatre); Hamlet (Gielgud Theatre/Herodes Atticus, Athens); Whose Life is it Anyway? (Comedy Theatre); Vita and Virginia (Arts Theatre); Old Times (Bath Theatre Royal); The Importance of Being Earnest (English Touring Theatre); Werther (English Touring Opera); The Vortex (Theatre Projects Tokyo); Albert Herring (Copenhagen Opera); Killers, Young Writers Festival, Karate Billy Comes Home (Royal Court Theatre); The Paper Husband (Hampstead Theatre); The House of Yes, Cuckoos (Gate Theatre); Romeo and Juliet, The Hanuman, The Provoked Wife, Ion, Woyzeck (National Theatre Studio); The Merchant of Venice (Sheffield Crucible); No Mean City (Glasgow Citizens Theatre); Dealing with Clair (Stephen Joseph Theatre); Anna Karenina (Watford Palace); States of Shock (Salisbury Playhouse); Unicorns, Almost (Hay on Wye). Lucy is also a Senior Lecturer in Design for Performance at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Nyrsys in three words: Public, private, shared.

Images from the rehearsal room: Kirsten McTernan

Lighting Designer Ceri James

Sound Designer Dyfan Jones

Education / Training: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff / California University Theatre work includes: Y Tad, Merch yr Eog, Rhith Gân (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Fel Anifail (Sherman Theatre); Tide Whisperer, Roald Dahl City of the Unexpected, Lifted

by Beauty (National Theatre Wales); Mags (Cwmni Pluen); Woman of Flowers (AV designer, Theatr Pena); One Man Two Guvnors, Dick Whittington, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Sleeping Beauty, Woman in Black, Brief Encounter (Torch Theatre Company); Anweledig, Mwgsi (Frân Wen); Hunting of the Snark (RGM Productions); BOHO (Clwyd Theatre Cymru/Hijinx); The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist and Festen (Guildford School of Acting); The Trials of Oscar Wilde (Mappa Mundi Theatre); Love Cardiff (Sherman Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Fondazione Haydn di Bolzano e Trento); Simplicius Simplicissimus (Independent Opera); Belonging (Re-Live); Meet Fred (Hijinx Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Welsh National Opera); Tides (Catrin Finch); Beneath the Streets (Punch Drunk/Hijinx Theatre); 22 Strings (Sekou Keita).

Television and film work includes: Tomb Raider Live, Nuns.

Nyrsys in three words: Observing, devoted, love.

Education / Training: Kingston University / Guildhall School of Music and Drama Theatre work includes: Macbeth, Nansi, Blodeuwedd, Pridd, Chwalfa, Pan Oedd y Byd yn Fach, Dyled Eileen, Deffro’r Gwanwyn, 2110/Yn y Trên, Y Gofalwr, Esther (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru); Shakespeare in Love (Theatre Royal Bath); Amedee, Treasure Island (Birmingham Rep); A View from Islington North, All That Fall (Out of Joint); Close Quarters (Out of Joint/Sheffield Theatres); Barnbow Canaries (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Love & Money (Waking Exploits); Before I Leave (National Theatre Wales); Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage (National Theatre Wales/Out of Joint); The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Insignificance, Cyrano de Bergerac, Little Shop of Horrors, All My Sons, Not About Heroes, Rape of the Fair Country, Great Expectations, Measure for Measure, Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, Oh What a Lovely War (Theatr Clwyd); Contractions (Iain Goosey/Chapter); Seanmhair, Play, Silence, Blasted, A Good Clean Heart (The Other Room); Say it with Flowers (Sherman Cymru); Jack and the Beanstalk (Stafford Gatehouse Theatre); Cider With Rosie, Cyrano, Skylight (West Glamorgan Youth Theatre); Indian Country (Sgript Cymru).

Nyrsys in three words: Challenging, revealing, essential.

Images from the rehearsal room: Kirsten McTernan

CREATIVE TEAM

CREATIVE TEAM Musical Director Barnaby Southgate Education / Training: Rose Bruford College, London Theatre work includes: The White Feather, The Eye of The Storm (Theatr na n’Óg); The Go Between (The Young Vic); Treasure Island (Birmingham Rep); The Wind in The Willows (Mercury Theatre); Holy Mackerel (Eastern Angles); The Sword in the Stone (New Wolsey Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Theatr Clwyd); The Commitments (The Palace Theatre).

Television and film work includes: Edmond — Nina Gantz (instrumentalist), Songs of Praise (composer), Nostalgia’s a Killer (composer).

Nyrsys in three words: Honest, entertaining, Welsh.

Movement Director Eddie Ladd Education / Training: Aberystwyth University Theatre work includes: My own work since 1993, Brith Gof 1990–2000, Hijinx and Theatrig, Ceri Sherlock’s company when I was a young actor. More recently, {150}

by Marc Rees (National Theatre Wales/ Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru) and Nawr yr Arwr. Founder member of Light, Ladd & Emberton, who have thus far produced the duet Caitlin and the site-specific pieces Croesi Traeth and Owain Glyndŵr Silent Disco.

Television and film work includes: Fideo 9; The Slate, District Nurse; Co Bach for Radio Cymru.

Nyrsys in three words: Unexpected, true, charming

Assistant Movement Director Deborah Light Education / Training: Trinity Laban, London Theatre work includes: Owain Glyndŵr Silent Disco, Croesi Traeth, Caitlin (Light, Ladd & Emberton); Gravida (Dancer); The Curio Cabinet (Choreographer Aura Dance); HIDE (Choreographer/ Director); Cortex (Choreographer/Dancer); Between Reality, Angelica (Choreographer/Director); The House Opposite (Joanna Young); Das Rhinegold & Die Walküre (Longborough Festival Opera); A Curious Zoo (Caroline Sabin); Out of the Box (Jem Treays); Am I dreaming (Theatr Iolo/Jem Treays).

‘NES DYFOD DERBYN’

by Mererid Hopwood

Cyrhaeddais rywle arall ddoe, rhywle annisgwyl, ac rwy’n dal i ddisgwyl clywed nad wyf i yno go iawn; ac os na chlywaf i hynny bydda’ i’n flin, yn grac, ac eisoes yn fy mhen mae morthwyl bargen yn taro, taro, a thrên tywyllwch ar y trac.

Ond dyma hon yn dod, â’i llaw yn grud, gan estyn gostyngeiddrwydd yn garedig i gyd.

Mae’n cynnig taith newydd a llwybr ymlaen a breuddwyd wahanol i’r freuddwyd o’r blaen.

Mae’n gofyn caniatâd i roi fy llaw ar y llyw, mae’n cynnig imi ddewis: dewis Derbyn a Byw. This poem comes from the collection Cerddi Byw Nawr — Live Now Poems by Mererid Hopwood, which is the result of a project between Literature Wales, Ceredigion Palliative Care Team and Byw Nawr (Live Now). To read more about the project, go to literaturewales.org

Images of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s New Playwrights’ Group: Andrew James Clockwise from the top of the page: Cai Llewelyn Evans, Melangell Dolma, Miriam Elin Jones, Gruffudd Eifion Owen, Elin Gwyn, Naomi Nicholas, Lowri Morgan, Sian Northey.

New Playwright’s Group Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s New Playwrights’ Group is a new national scheme to develop the craft of writers for the stage through the medium of Welsh; it is presented by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru in association with S4C, Literature Wales, Pontio, Theatr Clwyd, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Carmarthenshire Theatres, Wales Millennium Centre and Sherman Theatre.

Melangell Dolma, Cai Llewelyn Evans, Elin Gwyn, Miriam Elin Jones, Lowri Morgan, Naomi Nicholas, Sian Northey and Gruffudd Eifion Owen have been selected for the 2018/19 New Playwrights’ Group.

Each member of the group will write a new play which will be performed to the public as rehearsed readings (with professional actors and directors), presented as works in development, and the playwrights will be invited to attend the rehearsals. The playwrights will receive feedback from all the partners involved, including audience members, as well as an opportunity to discuss future creative relationships with those partners and with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. The readings will take place during summer 2019.

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

Touring Wales March — April 2019 A Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru production in association with the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Mas ar y Maes and OOMFF

MERCHED CAERDYDD / NOS SADWRN O HYD Two contemporary plays based in the capital city of Wales, by two distinct voices.

Merched Caerdydd (Cardiff Girls) Awenau This scheme will offer a training and mentoring opportunity to directors who are at the start of their careers, or who are already working in the sector but wish to change direction or broaden their experience. The aim is to inspire prospective creative leaders of the theatre in Wales, and develop their skills, in order to help them to grasp the creative leadership reins. The scheme will include a varied programme of masterclasses with experienced theatre practitioners. It will also include an opportunity for everyone who is part of the scheme to work as an Assistant Director on one of the company’s productions, a chance to shadow and to be involved in the work of developing the company’s new scripts, together with spending a residential period at Y Llwyfan, the home of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.

More details, and information on how to apply, will be available soon.

by Catrin Dafydd

Cardiff is home to Cariad, Liberty and Awen. Whilst they each tread a very different path in life, they have more in common than their city alone. Here are three young, bright, and perhaps unexpected women from contemporary Wales, each trying to make sense of their messy lives. Women trying to come to terms with their past whilst navigating their futures. But will change be possible? Or has their fate already been sealed?

Nos Sadwrn o Hyd (Saturday Night Forever)

by Roger Williams

Following a messy break-up sound-tracked

by Take That, Lee goes looking for love and finds it. For a short while life is sweet, but after every Saturday night dawns the harsh reality of Sunday morning and, as Lee discovers, nothing lasts forever.

Taking Part Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru works in the community by working in partnership with organisations that include the Office for Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr, Cadw and Literature Wales. We are also a member of the Cyfuno programme: Creating opportunities through culture Welsh Government and through Carmarthenshire Council and the Time Credits (Tempo) project.

In addition, we are part of a new resource created for the A and AS Level specification for WJEC Drama and Theatre courses that focus on the design and technical skills for staging a play. This resource follows every step of our recent production Y Tad, and includes interviews with members of the production team including the director and the sound, lighting, set and costume designers.

This has been commissioned by the Welsh Government and produced with TININT with support from Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. https://bit.ly/2ytgrwH

Here is some information regarding our work undertaken to coincide with the production Nyrsys.

Education To coincide with the production Nyrsys, an education pack has been developed by an experienced practitioner in the field of education, who is also an examiner for WJEC. The pack has been tailored for the GCSE/A Level Drama course and is suitable for reviewing a play as part of the Welsh GCSE course. It can also be used as an example of Live Theatre for the review question in Section B of the GCSE Drama paper. Experimenting with this type of theatre is also beneficial for GCSE and A Level pupils as they devise their own scenes based on any practitioner/genre.

The pack gives a comprehensive context to Nyrsys as well as background information about the history of verbatim plays in Wales. It includes interviews with the team and activities to enrich a trip to the theatre, with tasks to complete following the visit.

We have also published the script for Nyrsys

by Bethan Marlow on our website. To use the pack, please go to www.theatr.cymru/ portfolio/nyrsys

Welsh Learners The National Centre for Learning Welsh has created a contemporary lesson based on the Nyrsys production. The lesson gives experienced learners who have reached the Higher level an opportunity to have a taste of the production. It includes discussion opportunities on the themes of health and the health service, a section of the script, relevant vocabulary exercises, video clips of the songs, and notes for tutors. Every year the National Centre for Learning Welsh creates a series of contemporary lessons to present to learners.

For information about the centre, go to www. dysgucymraeg.cymru During the performances, it will be possible to use the Theatr Genedlaethol app, Sibrwd, which provides an English synopsis for learners and non-Welsh speakers.

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CommercialMasnachol Lawyers Cyfreithwyr Swansea

Abertawe Bay House, Phoenix Way, Bay House, SA7 Phoenix Swansea 9LA Way, Abertawe SA7 Telephone +449LA (0) 1792 776776 Rhif ffôn +44 (0) 1792 776776 Carmarthen

Cabna Court, Heol Glasdwr, Caerfyrddin Parc Pensarn, Carmarthen Cabna Court, Heol Glasdwr,SA31 2NF Telephone +44 (0) 1267 493110 Parc Pensarn, Caerfyrddin SA31 2NF

Practis cyfreithiol sy’n cynnig gwasanaeth masnachol cyflawn yw Morgan LaRoche. Nid

Morgan LaRoche is a full service commercial ydym yn fawr ondnot rydym law practice.

Wenac areyn notfiwrocrataidd, large and we are yn wych am but ddarparu strategol yn bureaucratic, we aredatrysiadau brilliant at providing ymwneud â materion busnes. strategic solutions to business issues.

Rydym We play toynourmanteisio strengths, ar andein that cryfderau, means that sy’n golygu ein in bod rhagori meysydd we specialise the yn areas of law yn that ein we know we excel at. arbenigol.

So, while we do all cyfreithiol Felly, er the einthings bod yn that you would your commercial gwneud yr hollexpect bethaufrom yr ydych yn disgwyl gan lawyers, we do them creatively, intelligently and gyfreithwyr, gweithredwn mewn modd creadigol with the utmost care.gyda’r gofal gorau posibl. a deallus a hynny

Hysbys Barn_Layout 1 24/10/2018 12:12 Page 1 Rhif ffôninfo@morganlaroche.com +44 (0) 1267 493110 Email

E-bost info@morganlaroche.com

Llwyfan misol i’r ysgrifennu gorau

www.morganlaroche.com

www.morganlaroche.com

Units B & C Station Road Newcastle Emlyn Carmarthenshire SA38 9BY

Sylw cyson i’r theatr, ffilm a theledu, llên, cerddoriaeth a chelf Ar gael trwy danysgrifiad print ac ar-lein, neu mewn siopau llyfrau Cymraeg

www.barn.cymru

Ffôn: 01267 245676

Would you like to place an advert in one of our future programmes? Contact us: thgc@theatr.com / +44 (0) 1267 23388

Morfydd 9.00 Nos Sul Sunday 16 Rhagfyr December Cariad, cerddoriaeth a thrasiedi: ffilm yn seiliedig ar fywyd Morfydd Owen.

Love, music and tragedy: a film based on the life of Morfydd Owen.

With English subtitles

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru is the Welsh-language national theatre of Wales. We create bold, ambitious, inclusive and memorable theatre experiences in the heart of our communities at traditional theatre venues and unexpected locations across Wales and beyond.

Thank you Thank you for supporting Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s work by attending this production.

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru is dependent on the support of grants, fundraising and contributions, not only to sustain our programme of productions but also to develop skills in theatre and to connect with communities.

If you’re eager to see the continuation and development of the Theatr it is possible to contribute personally. For more information, email angharad.leefe@theatr.com