Incubator is a platform for new companies that allows them to develop their productions in the Wales Millennium Centre. I went to see a production called ‘The Violence of Summer’ by Sean Tuan John and Bert Van Gorp which is in development with the Incubator . Throughout the incubator period they have tried out various theatrical approaches to the themes of the outsider and deviant in society. Research into sociological ideas has been carried out through reading definitions of a deviant and criminal court cases to inform their work.
The stage lights up to reveal around 50 rubber pigs all laid out in a sequential order with two older men sat in garden lawn chairs. At the starting moment they have already got my attention, through all the enigma codes being conveyed such as ‘what’s with all the pigs?’ ‘Who are these men?’ I can’t help but be intrigued, and this is something which is great about the production. As the music kicks in these men begin to dance uncontrollably between these 50 pigs for the majority of the 55 minutes, in some parts they slow down and the music gets quieter which gives the show a good dynamic of pace. There’s one prevalent moment when the character speaks about his difficult childhood however it doesn’t tell me enough to really discover the truth of the narrative. The production is supposed to express ideologies about the ‘deviant’ in society and a major downfall of the production is that these ideologies aren’t conveyed enough in the narrative or characters.. The production aims to combine humour and dance however with a big topic that is sensitive to society such as ‘adult males that hurt children’ it doesn’t do it enough justice to make the humour credible.
On the other hand the play is good on how it challenges and is different to other productions with its aim to mix contemporary dance and humour. The production is clearly carried out by a company that are enthusiastic and they makes it much  more enjoyable to watch. Incubator is a great concept as it gives productions like ‘The Violence of Summer’ the tools and advice it needs to grow. I hope that through Incubator it’s narrative and ideologies are improved to be more clear to audiences.

Wasted
By Kate Tempest
At Sherman Cymru, Theatre 2
23^rd March 2013
Once in a while a production will come along that creates a huge buzz. When you miss a show like that you know that there’s usually no way you’ll ever get to see it. Luckily for those who missed it first time round Wasted came back for a second nationwide tour. If you missed it this time you really have missed out!
Three friends, who are maybe more than friends and maybe less, are forced to face up to all the opportunities they wasted because they were…..well, wasted. On the tenth anniversary of their childhood friend’s death they ask what went wrong and how can I make it right. But is the middle of a rave in South London really the place for these twenty five year olds to make a change for the better?
The pace of this short play is staggering, during the twenty-four hours we follow the three disillusioned Londoners no part of their lives is left unexamined. Why doesn’t downtrodden Ted (Cary Crankson)leave his Ikea loving girlfriend and get the job of his dreams? When will Danny (Bradley Taylor) realise his band is going nowhere? And how did Charlotte (Lizzy Watts) fall out of love with her calling to be a teacher?
Written by performance poet and rapper Kate Tempest, her theatrical debut is nothing short of amazing. Tempest has a way of bending words to make them fit into her beautiful urban poetry that never once sounds forced or insincere. In fact her down to earth and rhythmic approach to word play ensures the production is hard hitting, honest and true.
Naturalistic scenes in parks, cafes and clubs are broken up by bare-all monologues and stylised choral scenes directed straight at the audience that are worthy of any music stage. The actors do an absolutely stunning job of navigating the rhythms and layers of Tempest’s words, slipping effortlessly between their characters everyday life and the choreographed group sections.
As if there wasn’t enough to be entertained by already the innovative use of multimedia added yet another level to the polished show. A large screen provided clues to the setting of each scene; a neon sign telling us the cafe is open or a beautifully shot pub interior. During the powerful monologues the screen showed close ups of the actor’s face that were cleverly matched to the onstage lighting and added yet more emotion to the already intense words.
A beautiful symphony of words, music and technology. This is the kind of theatre that gets people excited, makes them talk and inspires them to make a change. The innovative combinations of media and poetry make this rather straightforward study of modern urban life something unmissable. Let’s hope they will be back by popular demand for a third outing soon!
A Paine’s Plough, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Roundhouse production, in association with the National Student Drama Festival and Latitude Festival.
For more about the show and producers Paine’s Plough: www.painesplough.com
For more on Kate Tempest: www.katetempest.co.uk

After studying Carol Ann Duffy’s work in school, I can say that my expectations were set high as I sat amongst an audience of restless young minds and excited adults alike.  I couldn’t wait to see how Duffy’s vivid imagination and blunt tone would play out on stage in comparison to the short poems I’d analysed so carefully.

The play featured four young, talented actors that sang and waltzed and even pecked their way across the stage, using the lack of props to their best of their ability as they gave two exemplary performances of the infamous tales, Hansel and Gretel and Ashputtel.
Needless to say, the children in the audience settled down quickly as the production began with the eerily soothing voices of Hansel and Gretel’s family, and they stared at the awe-filled children with big eyes, maintaining enough eye contact with each spectator as to include each and every person in the new world they presented.
Although the tale of Hansel and Gretel delivered a more melancholy side of Duffy’s imagination, the ending was sure to warm the hearts of every parent in the room, enough to prepare them for the big dose of fun the second half of the production was ready to lump on top of them, and, true to its name, Ashputter left in its wake a layer of ashes impossible to shake off after it’s spectacularly bright show.
At one point towards the end of show, a step-sister screeched mid-stage as she used a plastic axe to saw off the tips of her toes that she couldn’t fit into the slipper.  Although the guffaws of the children suggested they found the act funny, I’m sure some parents, as well as myself, found the incessant screaming and fake bloody rag more than a little bit alarming.  This was not a rare occurrence either, as body parts were chopped off on two occasions.
On the whole, Grimm Tales was an eye-opening, funny, and family-orientated production I wouldn’t hasten to recommend to a family with younger children, so long as the members were okay with a little bit of gore.

 
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and Theatr Iolo produced the magical stories of the Grimm Brothers which included the tales of Ashputtel which is the original Cinderella story, and Hansel and Gretel, which I saw at Sherman Cymru, Cardiff.
The production consisted of just four actors, who played all the designated roles simultaneously. This was by far the best show presented. It offered goriness, fear and appraisable imagination. It took a turn back in time; rather than showing the predictable show of lust, hope and forgiveness, it allowed for the younger audience to be revealed ever so gently to the disappointments and punishments of life. It had many memorising moments within the production, alongside many frightening parts, such as the birds pecking the eyes out of the two step sisters. Although the production was aimed at a young audience, it gave them the chance to relate to mature content. The gasps in the audience indicated that the audience was surprised each time the play took a new turning. It was a chance for the 21^st century audience to see a combination of modern with traditional. The play elegantly summed up the original story of the Grimm Brothers with the appropriate level of obscurity.
Overall the production was a great success, as it intrigued the audience; it allowed the audience to search their imagination and come up with their own twists and outcomes of the play.

Grimm Tales Review – Cardiff Sherman Theatre 27^th February 2013

 The production was put on by four talented actors who cleverly interlinked storytelling and performing when showcasing two of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales – Ashputtel and Hansel and Gretel. Everybody has seen and heard of the Disney take on these famous fairy tales but it was refreshing to watch a slightly different version of events. The cast acted out the original tales and kept the audience captivated throughout with special sound effects and music that brought the stories to life, with each actor playing different instruments throughout the shows. Although the set was basic without too many props, the performers used it in such a way that entranced viewers and allowed them to also use their own imaginations to envisage the events unfolding before them.

 The atmosphere in the room was enjoyable with many moments where the room gasped and laughed together at certain points in the stories. Arguably, having only four cast members is not ideal for most performances, but it really allowed the audience to concentrate and identify with the actors as they are performing and it meant that there was less distraction for them. They were able to focus on the original message of Grimm’s fairy tales without being bogged down by too much happening on stage at once.

The production was directed by Kevin Lewis and adapted by Carol Ann Duffy who evidently make a great pairing when creating shows suitable for a wide range of people. Children, adults and teenagers alike are able to enjoy this magical show which is especially great for families, keeping you entertained and involved throughout.

A highly enjoyable show where you often find yourself forgetting about everything else; and feeling eager to discover what happens next in the twists and turns of these tales.

Amy Sandford

20 of the Young Critics from Brynteg school in Bridgend went to see Theatr Iolo’s production of Grimm Tales on Wed morning.
The cast and company also spent time answering the YC questions regarding the production.
Reviews to follow.
Thanks to Sherman Cymru and Theatr Iolo for supporting this event.

Last night saw a celebratory evening for Disability Arts Cymru as they reached their 30th Birthday.
 
The evening launched the company’s new website and also featured performances by the Unusual Stage School and the musician Dai Sharkey.
 
Held at Chapter Arts Centre, the evening began with the performance of ‘Remote Exit’, a play by Welsh writer Meredydd Barker. The Unusual Stage School was developed in 2006, when 12 disabled actors undertook a residential training course. Since its beginning, the USS has provided unique acting opportunities for talented disabled actors throughout Wales. With a small cast of six, the play explores themes of illness and dependency within the confines of the family unit. Despite having serious undertones, the script was punctuated by natural, often dialectical humour, with plenty of opportunities to insert comical scenes.
 
The cast (Kate Hampton, Andria Doherty, Richard Newnham, Laura Morgan, Lindsay Foster, Michael Karampelis) were a strong ensemble, especially when specific actors needed to slip in and out of multiple roles. There was good use of a split scene, and the simple set proved helpful for swift scene changes.
 
The accessibility of the piece was extremely impressive; in many ways, it was more accessible than any other kind of theatre. There was use of a sign language interpreter along with a captioning screen. The whole performance was well produced and directed.
 
Disability Arts Cymru’s new website looks great, and you can find it here.  http://www.disabilityartscymru.co.uk/
 
Happy Birthday to the company!