Branwen Davies appointed to lead the re-established Urdd Youth Theatre Company.

Today (6 October) Urdd Gobaith Cymru announce Branwen Davies as the Urdd Youth Theatre Coordinator. Branwen will lead the organisation’s re-established Youth Theatre Company, which is credited for creating opportunities and introducing young people to the arts as they discover the world of the theatre.

As the Urdd enters the final act of its centenary year, Wales’ largest youth organisation is looking forward to the future by re-launching the Urdd Youth Theatre Company. Thanks to a £1 million* investment by the Welsh Government, the Urdd Youth Theatre Company will offer new opportunities to young people aged 16-25 across Wales who have an interest in any aspect of the arts.

Today, under the experienced and creative guidance of Branwen Davies, the Urdd invites young people aged between 16-25 to register their interest to join the Company.

Branwen Davies, Urdd Gobaith Cymru Youth Theatre Company Coordinator said:

“Over the years many have benefited from and enjoyed being part of the Urdd’s Youth Theatre productions, gaining life-long experiences that have helped shaped their careers.

As part of the Urdd Youth Theatre Company, I’m looking forward to offering exciting and invaluable experiences to young people who are interested or curious about all aspects of theatre – performing, designing, stage management – there’s something for everyone. I want to give young people who have an interest but no previous experience in the arts an opportunity to explore and gain new skills. Collaborating with experts and specialists from across the arts will be both fun and challenging as we work with young people from across Wales to stretch horizons, build confidence and gain news skills.”

The Urdd Youth Theatre Company was first established in the 1970s and has been credited for nurturing and influencing talent across the arts. Over the years the Company has created a strong portfolio of original stage productions, offering young people the chance to perform and tour across Wales whilst developing their skills

Sian Eirian, Urdd Eisteddfod and Arts Director said:

“It is a great privilege to announce the appointment of Branwen Davies as the Urdd Youth Theatre Company Coordinator. The centenary has been an exciting year for the Urdd as we celebrate our history and roots, but it’s also an opportunity to grab new and future opportunities for our young people in the Welsh language.

Over the years Urdd Youth Theatre Company has influenced and provided a strong foundation for thousands of young people, with many names carving a successful career in the theatre. On behalf of the Urdd, I am proud to re-launch the Urdd Youth Theatre Company and look forward to seeing the Company grow under Branwen’s leadership.

Branwen brings a wealth of experience to the Youth Theatre Company. Branwen’s name and talent is recognised across the arts; she has extensive experience working with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, the National Dance Company of Wales, and most recently as Literary Manager at the Sherman Theatre. Branwen has also been a Theatre and Performance lecturer at universities across Wales. I know that Branwen will create amazing opportunities for members of the Urdd Youth Theatre Company and I would encourage anyone between the age of 16-25 to register their interest and join the team.

I would also like to thank the Welsh Government for their financial support of £1 million over five years which has enabled us to realise the dream of re-establishing Urdd Youth Theatre Company.”

Yr Urdd yn penodi Branwen Davies i arwain ail-lansiad Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid.

Heddiw (6 Hydref 2022) mae’r Urdd yn falch o gyhoeddi penodiad Branwen Davies fel Trefnydd Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd wrth i’r Mudiad ail-lansio’r Cwmni dylanwadol gan estyn cyfleon newydd i Gymry ifanc ym myd y theatr.

Wrth i’r Urdd ddechrau act olaf blwyddyn y canmlwyddiant, mae’r Mudiad yn edrych ymlaen i’r dyfodol drwy ail-lawnsio Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd. Diolch i fuddsoddiad o £1 miliwn* gan Lywodraeth Cymru, bydd Y Cwmni yn cynnig cyfleon newydd i Gymry ifanc sydd â diddordeb neu chwilfrydedd ym mhob agwedd o fyd y theatr.

Dan arweiniad profiadol a chreadigol Branwen Davies, mae’r Urdd yn gwahodd bobl ifanc rhwng 16-25 oed i gofrestru eu diddordeb i ymuno â’r Cwmni.

Dywedodd Branwen Davies, Trefnydd Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd:

“Yn y gorffennol mae sawl un wedi manteisio a mwynhau bod yn rhan o gynyrchiadau’r Theatr Ieuenctid a’r profiad wedi aros yn y cof.

“Rydw i’n edrych ymlaen i gynnig profiadau cyffrous ac amhrisiadwy i bobl ifanc sydd â diddordeb neu yn chwilfrydig am bob agwedd o’r theatr – perfformio, cynllunio, rheoli llwyfan – mae rhywbeth i bawb. Rydw i’n awyddus i roi cyfle i bobl ifanc sydd ddim wedi cael profiad blaenorol ond sydd a diddordeb ac sydd a rhywbeth i gynnig ac a fydd yn buddio o’r cyfle. Mi fydd cydweithio â phobl ifanc o wahanol ardaloedd o Gymru dan arweiniad arbenigwyr cyffroes ym myd y theatr yn ymestyn gorwelion, magu hyder, agor meddyliau yn her ond hefyd yn hwyl!”

Mae Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd wedi meithrin a dylanwadu talent ar hyd y celfyddydau ers yr 1970au.  Dros y blynyddoedd mae’r Cwmni wedi creu portffolio cryf o gynyrchiadau llwyfan gwreiddiol, gan gynnwys Y Brenin Arthur, Jwdas Iscariot, a’r Opera Pishyn Tair. Ers yr 1970au mae’r Cwmni wedi cynnig cyfleon amhrisiadwy i filoedd o Gymry ifanc ar draws y wlad, ac wedi bod yn lwyfan cychwynnol cadarn i rai o enwau disglair y celfyddydau heddiw. 

Dywedodd Sian Eirian, Cyfarwyddwr Eisteddfod a Chelfyddydau’r Urdd:

“Braint o’r mwyaf yw cael cyhoeddi penodiad Branwen Davies yn Drefnydd Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd.  Mae’r canmlwyddiant wedi bod yn flwyddyn hynod o gyffrous i’r Urdd wrth i ni ddathlu ein hanes a’n gwreiddiau, ond mae hefyd yn gyfle i fachu cyfleoedd newydd i’n pobl ifanc yn yr iaith Gymraeg i’r dyfodol.  

“Dros y blynyddoedd mae Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd wedi meithrin sgiliau, dylanwadu a chreu sylfaen gadarn i filoedd o bobl ifanc – gyda sawl enw yn llwyddo i greu gyrfa lwyddiannus ym myd y theatr.   Ar ran yr Urdd mae’n fraint gennyf ail-lansio’r Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen i weld Y Cwmni yn tyfu dan arweiniad Branwen. 

“Daw Branwen â chyfoeth o brofiad i’r Cwmni.  Mae enw a thalent Branwen yn nodedig ym myd y celfyddydau, ac mae ganddi brofiad helaeth o weithio hefo Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Cwmni Dawns Cenedlaethol Cymru, ac yn fwyaf diweddar fel Rheolwr Llenyddol Theatr y Sherman.  Mae hi hefyd wedi darlithio yn y maes mewn Prifysgolion ar draws y wlad.  Gwn y bydd Branwen yn creu cyfleon anhygoel ymhob agwedd o fyd y theatr i aelodau Y Cwmni, ac felly rwy’n annog pob person sydd rhwng 16-25 oed i gofrestru eu diddordeb ac ymuno â ni.

“Hoffwn hefyd ddiolch i Lywodraeth Cymru am eu cefnogaeth ariannol o £1 miliwn dros gyfnod o bum mlynedd sydd wedi ein galluogi i wireddu’r freuddwyd o ail-sefydlu Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid yr Urdd.”

(5 / 5)

You would be forgiven for feeling a little put out that Tamara Harvey, Artistic Director at Theatr Clwyd is moving on to pastures new, and not just any old pastures but the lush, green pastures of the Royal Shakespeare Company, for one of her last directorial projects here at Theatr Clwyd, is an absolute triumph! No amount of jam sandwiches or ginger beer could have crafted a more nostalgic atmosphere than the one produced by the cast and creatives of The Famous Five, A New Musical. In conjunction with Chichester Festival Theatre, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary, this exciting new musical is full of wonderful characterisation, whimsical songs, and clever nods to our modern world. A world which Enid Blyton, author of the wonderful Famous Five book series, never experienced, having been born before the turn of the 20th century and passing away in 1968. And yet, there are moments in the production where we realise, she was more ahead of her time than we originally thought; unearthing topics such as gender insecurity, anxiety, and bullying.

The set, designed by award-winning costume and set designer Lucy Osborne, transports the audience from onboard a train, at the beach, to Quentin’s lab and beyond. On arrival into the auditorium the set is laid out like a map of Kirrin with a miniature castle, cottage, tents, and trees and for those familiar with the books, we find ourselves pointing out locations and names we recognise from rainy days spent reading Blyton’s classics! Like a patchwork picnic blanket, there is feeling of the design being slightly ‘mended;’ a table is a piece of wood which has washed up on the beach, a rabbit is made from a potato sack and the goats are old suitcases with heads, legs, and a tail! Much like the Famous Five gang themselves, seemingly thrown together in a slight bungle but a total success all the same!

The story of this new musical is in keeping with the framework and foundations of the Famous Five book series but original in its plot and even acknowledges current environmental and climate change issues, yet it doesn’t shy away from the vintage feeling of Enid Blyton. There’s even a song dedicated to Aunt Fanny’s infamous picnic, performed wonderfully by Lara Denning, with a dash of Waitress about it! The music is punchy and the lyrics wordy and relevant to each character, giving us a taste of their personalities, flaws, and all. There are some beautiful harmonies created throughout the ensemble numbers and some stunning individual vocals from all performers. The piece is cast perfectly, and each has their moment to shine (in the case of Sam Harrison, several memorable personalities to boot!) Mention must also go to the Musicians of Kirrin, who were costumed to fit in with the rest of the cast and often played whilst moving around the stage, and to the band, who were just visible through the backcloth, a nice touch.

Scene-stealer extraordinaire has to go to Timmy the dog! Cleverly designed and directed by Rachael Canning and performed by Ailsa Dalling, it was a challenge not to have a constant eye on Timmy, despite the adventuresome action going on elsewhere! The use of puppetry throughout was awe-inspiring, from the sack rabbits to the suitcase goats and the birds and bats, but Timmy the dog really was something special. Everything from the barking, yelping, tail wagging, panting, running, and pouncing took the audience under its spell and had us believe we were seeing a real dog on stage. When Timmy is captured and placed in a cage, we feel emotion for this material creation!

This production has everything: sentimentality, uplifting songs, emotion, comedy and much more. This was a flawless musical, everything in its place, with a simple message and a boundless energy which would please theatregoers of all ages, whether they’d read an Enid Blyton adventure or not!

The Famous Five, A New Musical completes its run at Theatr Clwyd on October 15th and will then move to the Chichester Theatre Festival and will run from October 21st until November 12th.

https://www.theatrclwyd.com/event/the-famous-five-a-new-musical

Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Company 1
I : Hannah Daniel
P: Jacob Ifan
T: Jonathan Hawkins

Cyfarwyddydd – Chelsey Gillard
Dramodydd – Rebecca Jade
Lleoliad – Theatr Seligman, Canolfan Gelfyddydau Chapter, Treganna.

Dyma ddrama sy’n aros yn y cof ac yn agored i sawl dehongliad gwahanol. Tri chymeriad sydd ynddi ond mae rôl y trydydd cymeriad yn aneglur yn enwedig ar gychwyn y ddrama. Stori dau berson sydd yma mewn gwirionedd – dau sydd wedi profi cariad, siom a diflastod – pobl broffesiynol sy’n profi enwogrwydd yn gynnar yn ystod eu gyrfaoedd.
Mae taith y cwpwl wedi dechrau yn hynod o gyffrous gan eu bod yn ysgrifennwyr sgriptiau i’r theatr a’r sgrin. Maent yn profi cyfnod hynod o doreithiog ac yn derbyn llwyddiant ar Broadway a thu hwnt. Gellir dweud eu bod wedi cyrraedd y brig – y ‘big time’ – ac yn mwynhau’r holl sylw, y mawl a’r bri a ddaw yn sgil hyn oll.

Ond nid yw’r freuddwyd fawr yn para, yn enwedig felly i’r cymeriad I sy’n cael ei gwthio i’r naill ochr tra bod ei chariad yn derbyn contract enfawr Sci Fi gan gwmni enfawr. Mae’n profi teimladau o dristwch a bradychiad, diffyg hunanhyder ac ansicrwydd. Er ei bod yn caru ei phartner, nid oes lle bellach iddi hi yn ei freuddwyd fawr ef, ac mae hithau’n cael ei gwthio naill ochr. Ceir yma deimlad bod y ddau bellach ddim yn rhannu’r un breuddwydion na dyheadau. O ganlyniad, mae cymeriad I yn symud nôl adre ac yn ceisio ymdopi â byw bywyd gwahanol a newydd. Ers y gwahanu,nid yw`n ysgrifennu bellach ond yn hytrach yn gweithio mewn siôp ac yn datgan ei bod yn hapusach ei byd. Ond tybed a ydy’r boen ac effaith y ‘rejection’ dal yn fyw yn y cof ?

Mae Hammond wedi creu sgript ddiddorol sy’n llifo’n berffaith o un olygfa i’r llall ac mae’r cymeriadau yn rhai gonest, aml haenog a chymhleth. Yn ystod y monologau (sy’n digwydd lawr llwyfan ac yn uniongyrchol i’r gynulleidfa) mae’r ddau yn olrhain eu teimladau yn ystod y cyfnod byr yma pan, ar y dechrau, roedd eu perthynas yn dda cyn i bethau droi’n sur. Dyma arwyddocad teitl y ddrama – “Right Where We Left Us” – Mae cymeriad I wedi’i effeithio’n enbyd gan y toriad yn y berthynas ac mae’n ail greu ac ail ddadansoddi’r camau, y camgymeriadau, yr arwyddion a arweiniodd at y rhwyg rhyngddynt. Cawn y teimlad bod y rhwyg hwn a’r gwahanu wedi effeithio ar y ddau ohonynt, ond hi efallai sy’n dioddef fwyaf.

Mae’r ddau actor, Hannah Daniel a Jacob Ifan, yn cydweithio’n arbennig ac mae eu portread o’r cymeriadau yn real a phoenus. Mae portread Hannah Daniel o’r cymeriad toredig yma ar brydiau yn adeiladau at uchafbwyntiau dramatig effeithiol. Ydy, mae hi wedi ei brifo gan y golled ond mae’n ceisio bod yn ddewr, yn barod i wynebu ei hunllefau personol er mwyn symud ymlaen. Dim ond yn araf bach drwy’r ddrama daw hyn i’r amlwg i’r gynulleidfa fod cymeriad I mewn sesiwn therapi ac yn ceisio wynebu ei hunllefau hi, ac mae atgof yw P yn ei meddwl. Dyna pwy felly yw’r trydydd cymeriad sef T, y therapydd sy’n ceisio arwain ei glaf i (gobeithio!) le gwell.
Mae’r set, sef platfform syml, lliwgar yn symbol o enwogrwydd ffug Holywoodaidd a’r goleuo annaturiol yn awgrymu anghysonderau’r bywyd hwn. Roedd hyn yn effeithiol ond heb dynnu gormod o sylw o’r action a’r sgript. Mae’r ddrama’n gorffen ar nodyn ansicr ond calonogol ac felly’n agored i ddehongliad y gynulleidfa. Fy marn yw bod y clo’r ddrama yn un sy’n awgrymu bod pawb, ar ôl amser, yn medru gwella a symud ymlaen ar ôl trawma a thor perthynas.

Dyma ddrama oedd yn gweddu’n dda i’r gwagle ac i’r theatr hyfryd hon. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i’r holl dîm artistig ac os cewch chi gyfle, ewch i’w gweld. Mae perfformiadau yng Nghanolfan Chapter tan Hydref y 5ed ac mae modd prynu’r sgript hefyd.