stage
ADVENTURES IN THE SKIN TRADE
The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, Wed 1 Oct / Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil, Thurs 2 Oct / Taliesin
Arts Centre, Swansea, Fri 3 Oct / Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, Tue 7 Oct / Chapter Arts
Centre, Cardiff, Wed 8-Tue 14 Oct / Park & Dare, Treorchy, Wed 15 Oct / Aberystwyth Arts
Centre, Fri 17 Oct / Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli, Tues 21 Oct / The Welfare, Ystradgynlais, Wed 22 Oct /
Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Wed 29 Oct / Miners’ Institute, Blackwood, Thurs 30 Oct
We can only imagine what masterpiece the infamous Dylan Thomas could have conjured if he had not met an
untimely death. Here, however, is a theatre production which has done just that.
Taking on the great challenge are Theatr Iolo who are unveiling a new stage adaptation of Adventures In The
Skin Trade – Dylan Thomas’ notoriously unfinished novel. Widely regarded as being semi-autobiographical,
with elements of the tale mirroring Thomas’ experiences, the story follows the character of Samuel Bennett as
he embarks on a move to London from south Wales to pursue his career.
Staged by the award-winning Cardiff-based theatre company, Theatr Iolo, as part of the Dylan Thomas 100
Festival, the production will be gracing the stage of various venues across Wales during October. Born from
writer Lucy Gough (whose previous credits include Hollyoaks, amongst many more in TV, radio and stage) she
describes the play as “fiercely crazy and yet also sensitively observant of a teenage boy’s interior world and
rite of passage.”
Director Kevin Lewis says the play has been adapted for modern-day audiences and describes the production
as a ‘seedy-slash-glamorous take’ which features actor Oliver Wood as central character Bennett.
Is this the ending to the story that Thomas’ envisaged? We’ll never know, but the best way to honour the
writer’s legacy is to keep his works fresh in the memory. RHIANON HOLLEY
Tickets: £5-£14. Info: 029 2061 3782 / www.theatriolo.com
pic: NIGEL HILLIER
HIRAETH
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay,
Sun 26 + Mon 27 Oct; Aberystwyth
Arts Centre, Thurs 30 Oct; The Torch
Theatre, Milford Haven, Fri 31 Oct
Hiraeth is a Welsh word without a direct
translation but described as longing,
nostalgia and homesickness. These are
feelings that many of us would have felt
at one time or another for home, whether
it’s for a favourite meal, a familiar scent or
simply to be back on the green, green grass
of home – but are these feelings always
geared towards the place we originate from?
Having been born into the family farm
going back generations, it’s a difficult
choice to leave the familiar comforts of
home and move to the big smoke without
feeling guilty for not continuing the
farming dynasty, but that is exactly what
Buddug James Jones did.
The themes of tradition and identity
are examined in depth in the upcoming
performance of Hiraeth, from main
protagonist Jones in collaboration with
Bear Trap Theatre Company. The cast
includes only two members: Buddug
herself (who is not a trained actor) and
Max Mackintosh (who is) who alternates
to portray various characters on stage.
Following a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival, the production will be touring
various Welsh venues, with even a good
old fashioned twmpath thrown in for good
measure in Aberystwyth – iechyd da!
Tickets: £8-£12. Info: 029 2063 6464 /
www.wmc.org.uk (RH)
BUZZ 38
A NOVEMBER DAY
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
Wed 15 Oct
War, woe and wonder. In forgotten boxes in
an attic a woman discovers the story of her
grandfather, a survivor of the First World
War, and his unexpected encounter with a
stray dog who knew no boundaries. With
evocative puppet characters, live music and
an ever-changing set, Thingumajig theatre
presents a timeless fable on war and the
necessity of companionship.
A November Day marks the 100th
anniversary of the outbreak of World War
One. Created in 2008, in association with
the Imperial War Museum North, the play
offers a gentle and personal voice in the
commemoration.
Based in West Yorkshire, the Thingumajig
Theatre specialises in creating and
performing innovative puppet plays and
interactive giant puppets. The company
weaves magical narrative into a distinctive
visual style.
Created and performed by Kathy and
Andrew Kim, the play exhibits a personal
feel, being both evocative and empathetic
allowing the audience to appreciate the
miracle of friendship when all seems
lost. A soft story which colours a canvas
that illustrates the legacy of a generation
dragged into turmoil.
The acclaimed Theatr Brycheiniog is the
only Welsh destination of the tour and it is
picturesquely positioned to transform as
Monmouthshire mixes with mortar.
Tickets £10. Info: 01874 611622 (GP)
pic: ANDY ROSS
IN TIME O’ STRIFE
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Thurs 23-Sat 25 Oct
Suddenly the dubious pleasures of social
conflict and 80s fashion have become
acceptable again and, with the 30th
anniversary of the era-defining miners
strike, we’re also treated to a dose of
hindsight and the frisson of radicalism at a
safe distance.
The miners’ strike has been a point of
history that’s had the big screen treatment
more than once: from the ballet of Billy
Elliot and the ‘bloody euphoniums’ of
Brassed Off, to the bare-knuckle boxing
of The Big Man and LGBT angle of new
Welsh film Pride.
Now, though, we have a Scottish angle on
the rich seam of heartwarming community
films and plays about the strikes. In Time
O’ Strife, however, promises to be a more
direct, less fuzzy miners tale.
Based on a play written in 1926 by Joe
Corrie (who was described by TS Eliot as
the ‘gre