Graig Du Theatre Players

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Graig Du Theatre Players

The players are in the process of being formed. I will post further updates in the next few days. My intention is to form a community theatre group, with four probable performances a year, to encompass the work of playwrights in the Rhondda as a beginning. Original work will be encouraged. I would like to hear from any members, when I give out further information, if they would be willing to partake in the first staging. This will include actors, actresses, directors,who would be interested in supporting the idea to get valuable experience at the start of their careers. It would be a learning curve for me. I intend staging my play" Sorrow for my Sons" to publicize the group within the next few months. The full version of this play "Painting the Darkness" is to have a performance with the Fluellen Theatre in 2017. The play tells of the mysterious death of William Dillwyn Llewelyn, the eldest son of Sir John Dillwyn Llewelyn, who was found shot dead in the woods of the Penllergare estate on the afternoon of his engagement to Lord Dynevor's daughter in August 1893. The play explores the background to events, the inquest held the following day into his death, and William's friendship with J.Arthur Gibbs, the author of "A Cotswolds Village". I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the late June Lewis-Jones of Fairford, Glos, who helped me considerably with the three-act version of events. After answering my advertisement in her local newspaper, she was intrigued by my discoveries and, as she held Gibbs's diaries in her possession; she was also an author in her own right, she said she would aid me in any way as long as it did not jeopardize her work. June said that I had seen something in the unfolding events that no-one had realized before. Gibbs's strange requiem poem to his dead friend is well worth reading, as is his version, which I believe to be truthful, of the events that took place at Penllergare on the fateful day.

Location: Porth, Rhondda
Members: 10
Latest Activity: Dec 11, 2018

Discussion Forum

Street Singers of the Valleys. Gwillym Pen Pwyll.

The one regret my father had while growing up in Dinas was that he did not pay much attention to the stories that were being told. The stories he did tell me were fascinating to the say the least,…Continue

Tags: Du, Theatre, Players, Graig, Pwyll

Started by Glyndwr Edwards Nov 21, 2015.

Unknown Stories from the Rhondda.

Ebenezer Chapel, pictured above before its demolition in the 1960s, was one of the…Continue

Started by Glyndwr Edwards Nov 17, 2015.

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Comment by Glyndwr Edwards on December 11, 2018 at 4:36

Reviews of the book have been exceptional. There is now a case that more should be done in the same vein. I see no reason not to proceed  with the development as things now stand. 

Comment by Glyndwr Edwards on December 4, 2018 at 4:10

Thanks for the messages. I am getting back into a routine at long last. It's been a long convalesence.As you said, the story of Fawcett's last expedition is fascinating. There has been much interest in "Death Dreams" as it focuses on a side of Fawcett's character that has been little understood. It will be very interesting to see what happens with the play and those who are interested in financing a short run in the future.I agree with you that the film of the last expedition left a lot to be desired. I would take the Geraldine Cummins version of events cautiously even if her abilities were never questioned.

Comment by Glyndwr Edwards on August 23, 2018 at 3:51

I will try and locate a copy of the book. Thanks, Josh.

Comment by Josh Edwards on August 22, 2018 at 8:16

Thought I'd mention a book I read last week that should be of interest. The History of Pontypridd and Rhondda Valleys by Owen Morgan.1903. There are some unusual stories in the book, too long to mention here, that will be worth checking out, Glyn. Glad things are up and running again after all that has happened. Speak to you soon.

Comment by Josh Edwards on August 31, 2017 at 8:38

A lot has been happening over the past month. Hope all is well with you. It will take time to get back to full health. With everything in place, the time scale does not matter now. The work for the players is in place. My adaption of "A Voice in the Night" by W.H.Hodgson went well with my mates and there will be improvements. The need for original work on stage has never been greater and this will be achieved very soon. 

Comment by Josh Edwards on July 22, 2017 at 10:24

I enjoyed reading the play and the film. Good cast. Stacy Keach was rather good. 

Comment by Glyndwr Edwards on July 19, 2017 at 0:21

Thanks. I did not realise the formatting was out. I will post a new page on the extract. By the way, did you manage to read "Conduct Unbecoming?"

Comment by Josh Edwards on July 18, 2017 at 23:59

Glad to hear things are progressing. Formatting was a bit out on the new extract of the play. I have located the archive where the records of the court martial are kept from 1917 and I will email details in the next few days.

Comment by Glyndwr Edwards on July 18, 2017 at 8:34

Thanks for you and your friends messages, Josh. I am much better than I was. More details of what I have planned will be posted to the group soon. I intended to stage two plays and this remains the aim for the day. In the meantime, more information has come to light about the death of William Dilwyn Llewellyn  in 1893 at Penllergaer and I have had to revise certain scenes from "Sorrow for my Sons." I will add this later. The conversation is between William's mother and sister.

   

            

       

    

          

 

      

        

         

 

 

 

 

Comment by Josh Edwards on June 28, 2017 at 9:57

I have seen the message. Will see you soon. Glad to know everything is okay. I will be pleased to design the poster.

 
 
 

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