A famous Dylan Thomas play for voices is been given a new twist by a group of budding thespians.<\/p>\n
Drama students have been working on a version of Thomas\u2019s best known and most popular work, Under Milk Wood.<\/p>\n
It’s being put on thanks to a collaboration between adult education specialists Coleg Harlech WEA, Holywell Communities First and the Flintshire-based Trap Door Theatre Productions,<\/p>\n
The cast of 22 mainly Holywell-based actors are all students on a course in performing arts and have been drawn from all sections of the community.<\/p>\n
They will be bringing the timeless masterpiece, celebrating a day in the life of a small Welsh fishing village, Llareggub, to life\u00a0 at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos, near Wrexham, on Friday, July 27.<\/p>\n
Coleg Harlech WEA Curriculum Manager Nick Taylor plays the roles of Mr Ogmore and Mr Pugh in the production.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe are really looking forward to performing Under Milk Wood on the Stiwt Theatre stage.<\/p>\n
“This has been a real community effort thanks to our work with Holywell Communities First and Trap Door Theatre Productions.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmy Courtenay, the proprietor of Trap Door, took on the role of director for the production as well as tutor for the course.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to the efforts of Communities First the cast is a real cross section of society from the unemployed and employed, housewives, school children and retired people.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe began casting and rehearsals in early March and it has been fascinating to see the cast develop and grow in confidence. It really has been a wonderful community effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd although it may be the first time on a real stage for many of the cast the Stiwt is a wonderful old theatre and we are all very much looking forward to performing there and putting all we have learned into practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waitress Kerry Lewsey, 23, of Sychdyn, plays the roles of Lily Small and Rosie Probert and is really excited at the prospect of performing at the Stiwt Theatre.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI heard about the project through Amy and decided to come along and audition. I was thrilled to be offered the roles and think it\u2019s such a fantastic play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole project has given me a taste for drama and I\u2019d love to do more theatre in the future. I have really enjoyed the course and made a number of new friends as well as boosting my confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holywell High School pupil, Yasmine Kovacs, 14, of Gronant, near Holywell has learned a great deal from being involved in the project.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI play two roles, one as a little girl and the second as Mae-Rose Cottage. I got involved as my mum saw a leaflet advertising auditions and rehearsals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have learned so much and met loads of new people and made new friends. It has been really good working alongside older people too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m nervous about performing on stage but it will be a fantastic opportunity. I think I\u2019d like to be involved in drama in the future so to earn a performing arts qualification from Coleg Harlech is a great start.\u201d<\/p>\n
For retired Toastmaster Brian Russell, 74, of Holywell, Under Milk Wood sees him return to the stage after an absence of more than 32 years.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cTo be perfectly honest I came down to see if I could help out with any writing but was asked to audition for the role of Captain Cat. Vanity meant I had to say yes when I was offered the role!<\/p>\n
\u201cI do have some acting experience having performed with Mold County Players many years ago. However, I thought I\u2019d retired until I came along here and met Amy!\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIt\u2019s very much a community effort involving employed and unemployed people, children and retired people like myself. I have certainly made many new friends too and it really has been a whole new experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amy Courtenay is delighted to have been involved with the project as course tutor as well as directing the production.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThis has been a fantastic group of people to work with. It has brought some people out of their shells and I have watched as their confidence has grown throughout the rehearsal process.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy task is really three roles in one. I have been teaching acting skills to those taking part in the project, directing the production and finally I will be assessing the course as a whole.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cast really is a cross section of society and although we began with some who could act already many had never been involved in drama before. But we now have a really competent all-round cast who have all progressed incredibly well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m certainly looking forward to seeing all their hard work come to fruition when we perform at the Stiwt Theatre. And I think many of the cast will surprise themselves at just how far they have come.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on getting tickets or how to get involved in future activity please ring Coleg Harlech WEA on 01978 318866.<\/strong><\/p>\n