Welsh production set to take off down the high street in Aberdare and land in London…
Welsh theatre company Motherlode in co-production with RCT Theatres, (whose last production The Good Earth toured to Broadway and was described by the New York Times as “Wonderfully acted ” and by The New Yorker as “A lovely Welsh import”) are on the road again with Exodus, a world premiere of another uniquely Welsh story which will head to London following an autumn Welsh tour.
Motherlode pride themselves on telling relevant new drama that is inspired by real life stories and their new production Exodus, written and directed by Rachael Boulton, is no exception.
Set in South Wales on the eve that the last factory in the town closes, four neighbours hatch a plan that is literally pie in the sky.
Writer and Director of Exodus, Rachel Bolton
Boulton says; “ Four neighbours gather in an allotment, decide to build a plane, and take off down the high street. Past the butchers, past the curry house and above the chapel in search of a life free from politics and the grind. It’s a tragic comedy that I was very lucky to develop with a great team of people and I really hope audiences across Wales will enjoy it.”
Boulton’s last production with her company Motherlode, The Good Earth, which was also co-produced by RCT Theatres, told the story of a Valleys community torn apart by their council and big business and was so successful it played on the New York stage with The Stage newspaper describing the work as ‘giving a voice to the voiceless’.
Motherlode, The Good Earth.
Bolton continues: “The play is a lot of fun, but contains real stories about real people with real challenges. I think that’s why Motherlode’s work might resonate with audiences inside and outside of Wales. We were very fortunate to have a strong response when taking The Good Earth to New York and we’re delighted to have been invited to take Exodus to London in November too”
The production, which will tour to 12 venues across Wales this October from Milford Haven in the west to Newport in the east and Mold in the North, will open at The Coliseum Theatre Aberdare, to mark the 80th birthday of the beautiful 1930’s art deco 650 seat theatre, on Friday 5 of October.
Angela Gould, Theatre Programme and Audience Development Manager for RCT Theatres, who are co-producers on Exodus, says: “2018 sees the 80th birthday of the Coliseum Theatre, and what better way to celebrate than to mark the anniversary with a year of amazing and vibrant events – including spectacular performances, special events, participation activities and fun for everyone!”
Gould continues: “This landmark year for our iconic and beautiful building culminates with this unique performance co-produced by RCT Theatres. Developed in the heart of our community, Exodus is an integral part of our 80th birthday celebrations and we can’t wait for it to open here.”
Blisteringly funny, this heart-warming drama is accompanied by a live original score by David Grubb with choreography from Emma Vickery culminating in a new adventure that makes anything seem possible.
Tickets are on sale now for performances at The Coliseum Theatre Aberdare (5 & 6 October), Theatr Clwyd (9 & 10 October), Llandinam Village Hall (11 October), Redhouse Cymru Merthyr Tydfil (12 October), Taliesin Swansea (13 October), Chapter Cardiff (17 – 20 October), Riverfront Newport (23 October), Gwynfe Village Hall (24 October), Torch Theatre Milford Haven (25 October), Blackwood Miners’ Institute (26 October), Theatr Brycheiniog Brecon (27 October), Cwmavon Village Hall (30 October) and Finborough Theatre London (5-20 November).
