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School of Welsh

Actors and authors visit the School of Welsh

Image of Aled Jones WilliamsAs part of the undergraduate module, ‘The Modern Welsh Theatre’ (for years 2 and 3) several actors, authors and specialists in the field of contemporary Welsh drama  visited the School of Welsh during the past semester. First came a visit by the distinguished playwright Aled Jones Williams who discussed his new play Chwilys (‘Inquisition’), which is currently being performed across Wales. He talked of writers and playwrights who had influenced him directly, and also discussed the ideas that had directly inspired Chwilys. He said that he had specifically set out to write a play that was free from the usual paraphernalia of theatrical production. This was a lively session and inspired many to go and see the play being performed.

More details about this session can be seen at: http://gutodafydd.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/sgwrs-gan-aled-jones-williams

Image of John Ogwen and Maureen RhysLater during the semester, as part of the same module, the well-known actors Maureen Rhys and John Ogwen came to discuss the play Y Twr (‘The Tower’) by Gwenlyn Parry. The original play was written for them, and they discussed how they collaborated with the playwright in writing the script and in staging its first performance. This perspective on the imagination and on the craft of Gwenlyn Parry was extremely enlightening. They also talked of their experiences when performing the play, not only on various stages throughout Wales, but also on different media. The high point of their visit was their performance of specific scenes from the play: a memorable and moving experience for those of us who were fortunate enough to witness it.

The module’s activities came to an end this academic year with lectures presented by two up-and-coming specialists in the field of modern Welsh drama, namely Manon Wyn Williams who has written a dissertation on the plays of Aled Jones Williams, and Michelle Davies who is writing a doctorate in the field of television drama and who came to lecture on the work of Meic Povey.