Ruthin Gaol’s deep and darkest secrets will be unveiled forming one of the main theatrical attractions at this year’s Ruthin Festival, held between 26 June and 2 July, 2011.
The newly established Vale of Clwyd Youth Theatre will present their premiere production, ‘One Night…’ at Ruthin Gaol, during one of the opening evenings of Ruthin Festival week on Monday 27 June 2011. Over 30 youngsters between 12 and 16 years of age, all from the Vale of Clwyd form ‘One Night’s’ cast, and two exclusive performances will be held at 7:00pm and 9:00pm on the Monday evening.
Renowned Welsh actor, Rhys Ifans, from Ruthin has lent his support to the new youth theatre and he himself has publicly acknowledged the former Clwyd Youth Theatre proved invaluable to him as a youngster in nurturing theatre skills and perfecting his trade.
“The youngsters are very excited at the prospect of developing this production, and although challenging in terms of location, they have been given an insight into the historical archive information available within Denbighshire’s Archive Section at Ruthin Gaol,” explained Emyr John, the Artistic Director. “This has proved invaluable research for them in terms of script input and building different characters portrayed in ‘One Night…’ In the production King Arawn from the Underworld brings the prisoners’ spirits and stories back to life. Dark and murky secrets are retold as one by one we hear the prisoners’ tales. But will the good prevail? You will have to join us on the 27 of June!”
“Rehearsals are on-going and we have, in the past few weeks, been working at the Gaol itself,” explained Eirwyn Evans, Vale of Clwyd Youth Theatre Chairman. “The atmosphere in the Gaol as dusk falls is amazing, and it has been an inspiration watching the group gel and develop their skills and talents. Having two performances during the Ruthin Festival evening will offer many local people the opportunity to support these youngsters in their first experiences at this performance level, and I’ve no doubt both sessions will be a sell out!”
Chairman Eirwyn Evans is also keen to thank national and local groups for their funding support: “We are immensely grateful to Cadwyn Clwyd*, Arts Council for Wales, Denbigh Town Council, Ruthin Town Council, Ruthin Mayor, Denbigh Round Table and Ruthin Rotary Club for their financial contribution and support. Without doubt, this project would not have left the ground but for these organisations generosity. We are also honoured to be working with Ruthin Festival, an established community-run annual music festival, and we thank them for giving these young people the platform they deserve for their first production.”
Cadwyn Clwyd is able to support the project through their Rural Services Project, which is financed as part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Director, actor and scriptwriter, Emyr John from Ruthin has vast experience in theatre and he has worked with hundreds of youngsters across Wales in recent years. He is currently working on Wrexham National Eisteddfod’s Children Pageant. Assisting him with ‘One Night…’ is local actress and director Claire Barron from Hendre, Flintshire who has set up her own professional theatre company in the area, ‘The Shed Theatr Co’. Both Emyr and Claire are former members of the old Clwyd Youth Theatre active in the 70s and 80s.
During the past few months, the group have gained invaluable experience in acting, movement, script and improvisation work as they participated in workshops sessions at Denbigh. Cefin Roberts, former ‘Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’, the Welsh language national theatre Director Cefin Roberts from Bangor shared his experiences with the youngsters earlier in the year. Cefin will be bringing his music group, ‘DaCapo’ to Ruthin Festival’s main evening concert on Friday 1 July at Theatr John Ambrose.
Other events at Ruthin Festival this year include:
• Choral Workshop on Haydn’s ‘Creation’, Sunday 26 June at 6pm, St Peter’s Church £5
• An Evening of Music at Nantclwyd y Dre with Ruthin Acoustics, Manon & Lleuwen Hedd and Tocsidos Blêr, Wednesday 29 June at 7:00pm, £8
• Afternoon Concert (artist to be confirmed) for Senior Citizens, Wednesday 29 June at 2pm, Awelon, free entry
• Brynhyfryd Summer Fair, Wednesday evening at 6.30pm, 29 June, Ysgol Brynhyfryd Adult £2 Child £1
• Piano Recital with Andrew Wilde, Thursday 30 June at 7.30pm, Awelon £9
• Concert with DaCapo, Friday 1 July at 7.30pm, Theatr John Ambrose Adult £10 Child £5
• The Nanclwyd y Dre Play – the history of the house and its occupants, Friday 1 July at 7.30pm, Nantclwyd y Dre.
• Top Dre – Moniars, Gai Toms, Sibrydion, batala bangor, River City Jazz band, Dawnswyr Bro Cefni, Saturday 2 July from 1.30 – 8.00pm on St Peter’s Square. Free but donations requested.
Gruff Hughes, Ruthin Festival Chairman said: “We have a varied programme yet again at the Festival this year, and we are looking forward to bringing professional performances and acts to Ruthin town. The volunteer committee group is working hard to ensure another great event for young and old, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole team for their work and commitment. We are proud to be bringing such talented people to Denbighshire, and look forward to staging the many different events. Anyone interested in stewarding or assisting with the arrangements is welcome to contact us. All details are available on our website.”
Tickets for all events available from Siop Elfair, Ruthin Library or by calling 01824 702703. More information at www.ruthinfestival.co.uk.
Vale of Clwyd Youth Theatre partners include Denbighshire County Council, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych, Theatr y Pafiliwn Rhyl, the areas secondary schools and local community theatres, Theatr John Ambrose, Theatr Twm o’r Nant and Theatr Elwy.
Anyone interested in the Youth Theatre’s work can find out more by contacting Ffion Clwyd [email protected], 01745 550123. Interested participants need to be in secondary school and living in the Vale of Clwyd.
