National Theatre Wales Community

All Blog Posts (7,657)

Day 28 - Radio Ceredigion and the Black Box Recorder - The Little School by the Train Station, Aberystwyth

I have just arrived back from the radio station following an interesting slot on what could be Sam Christie's final show. That's the same Sam that I went to Poland with. He invited me along and asked me to bring some of my own music. So I did. I took an old carry case containing 200 cds that I collected as a student between 1997 and 2001. I explained that they were the product of my attempts to develop a musical identity, without any money or any direction. Consequently it is comprised… Continue

Added by Dr Tom Payne on March 28, 2010 at 10:56 — No Comments

V&A presents Playgrounds 26/27 March 2010

The V&A was filled with social games and playful experiences, for this Late at the V&A they teamed up with Hide&Seek to explore the collision of art, theatre and game design. I put on my PJ's grabbed my dice and sneaked, plotted and planned the night away.

www.sandpit.hideandseekfest.co.uk…

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Added by Matt the Hat on March 28, 2010 at 10:51 — No Comments

The end of a short but thoroughly wonderful era...

Hey blog peeps!!

Last night was the final show of "A Good Night Out..." and what a show it was.

There was a lot of nervous energy flying around backstage as we prepared to say goodbye to our lovingly developed characters. The last show is always a strange one, as you feel the need and the desire to make it perfect. But there was extra pressure for me last night, as everyone I have ever met was in the audience (I exaggerate for dramatic effect!) But we needn't have…

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Added by Amy Starling on March 28, 2010 at 6:56 — 2 Comments

Michael Groves (The film of the play) - Part One

Hello.

My second ever play, MICHAEL GROVES, was staged at Chapter Arts Centre last July. Having previously written a piece about relationships (MAGNETS) I wanted to do try something more experimental. Following the performance (and feedback that covered the entire spectrum of enjoyment levels!), I put the development of the piece on hold, choosing to start something new and return to it with fresh eyes.

I completely forgot that Viv Thomas filmed the first night, and,… Continue

Added by Neil Bebber on March 28, 2010 at 0:00 — No Comments

Day 27 - The Princess the Frog and the Sex Doll - Aberystwyth

I woke this morning and burst out of bed with enthusiasm. This was quickly replaced by nausea and the fear that I might be about to come down with something nasty.

It turned out that I wasn't, although I did avoid food for much of the day as a result. Poppy was sick again in the morning, so our weekly trip to the swimming pool was cancelled. So too was the trip to the cinema to watch the Princess and the Frog.

I received an email…

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Added by Dr Tom Payne on March 27, 2010 at 12:00 — No Comments

Day 26 - Green Tea and a big fat cheque! - Aberystwyth

I took the red card left by the postman to the post office and collected the white bubble wrapped parcel. The post office depot is just out of town on the industrial estate, thankfully I still had the hire car. Inside the package were five boxes of green tea. 5 different varieties. There was also a note requesting that I let the sender know which one was best. Thank-you sender!

I took the car up to the welcome centre at the university and… Continue

Added by Dr Tom Payne on March 26, 2010 at 11:30 — No Comments

Shelf Life: Secret spaces and censored scribbles...

To boldly go. . . where no blog post has gone before...

(well, sort of)

Those of you who used to go to Swansea Old Library (when it was a working library, so it was... y'know, plain old Swansea Library) probably noticed the glass dome. Those of you who didn't go there when it was a library but saw it on Dr.…

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Added by Liz Wride on March 26, 2010 at 10:30 — 3 Comments

Possible problems getting to see NTW in Aberdare tonight and Saturday

Just gearing up to head south to see Alan and John's show at the Coliseum Aberdare.

Note from their website that their may be severe traffic delays / congestion as the A4059 is closed from today for the next few days. That's the Aberdare By-Pass from the Tesco roundabout to Harriet Street, Trecynon.

Anyone travelling is advised to allow extra time.

Added by Peter Cox MBE on March 26, 2010 at 4:30 — No Comments

Day 25 - The First Assembly Project - Newtown, Aberystwyth, Blaengarw, Port Talbot & Aberystwyth

I have just won a chocolate egg from the bingo. I was awarded my prize by a jovial man in a ginger wig and a bright green dress. He was accompanied by another gentleman, who also seemed more than comfortable walking around the Blaengarw Workmans Hall looking like a pantomime dame. One that had been dragged through a hedge backwards. I am sure they won't mind me saying so. Had the evening not ended I am sure that I would have played bingo into the early hours. It is truly addictive. And… Continue

Added by Dr Tom Payne on March 25, 2010 at 14:54 — No Comments

SHELF LIFE / 25/03/10

Added by Matt the Hat on March 25, 2010 at 13:47 — 1 Comment

A time-lapse I did of the NTW team breaking down the set at Bedwas

Added by Simon Clode on March 25, 2010 at 11:07 — 4 Comments

Rehearsals Day 4

Can't believe we only have 3 days to go... I think it is going to all come out in the wash (yesterday was scared!), but we have ALL worked really hard.. actors, director, Tilly (the company baby who has put up with a lot of screeching and shouting... and of course the brilliant Rowan who has written all our fantastic music and the "Gwion and the Witch" song... so look at this as an experiment. CAN YOU MAKE A PIECE OF ACCESSIBLE, INTEGRATED, ENGAGING PROMENADE THEATRE FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AND… Continue

Added by Taking Flight Theatre on March 25, 2010 at 10:59 — 1 Comment

DAY 4 Gwion and the Witch rehearsals!!

So it is Day 4 at 10 feet tall where we are creating this magical adventure!

After yesterdays 3rd day blues, things are looking up and we have all regained confidence. Had a very productive music rehearsal this morning and it is all souding rather beautiful, thanks to the genius of Rowan! Thankyou!

This afternoon we plan to finish devising/blocking the piece which seems rather remarkable. The only things that are concerning me now are, the weather and the…

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Added by Michael Aubin on March 25, 2010 at 2:44 — 1 Comment

The Valleys Assembly: In Blaengarw Workmen's Hall!

JOIN US! AT THE VALLEYS ASSEMBLY!

Thursday 25 March @ 7.00pm. (Free Entry).

Happening at Blaengarw Workmen's Hall

Working with teams of local musicians, hairdressers, performers, bakers, artists, shop…

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Added by Catherine Paskell on March 24, 2010 at 12:30 — No Comments

Help videos and tips for National Theatre Wales Community, new! newydd! neu!

New help pages

Tom and I have added a whole bunch of Help pages to this site.

There's a new HELP button for easy access, available at the top at all times.

Even if you have experience of using the Community site, there will hopefully still be useful nuggets of info,… Continue

Added by Carl Morris on March 24, 2010 at 9:30 — No Comments

Day 24 - Sat Nav Anyone? - Gregynog

It's the end of the second day of the conference and everyone has left the seminar room to go and witness/participate in the musical activty in the cellar bar. I am taking the opportunity to quickly write before heading back downstairs. There has been much discussion of A Good Night Out in the Valleys and having access to so many different minds and opinions is invaluable to my research. When i get back I will arrange to meet up with Roger and Anwen before…

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Added by Dr Tom Payne on March 24, 2010 at 9:00 — No Comments

Gwion and the Witch rehearsals!

Hello folks, Thaught Id share my thaughts and experiences through out my first proffessional Job with Taking Flight.

Exciting Time! Its the third day of rehearsals now and things have been going great! The creative juices are flowing, no aruments yet and lots of lovely tea breaks! All though today has been the toughest. Trying to make a piece of red cloth into a witch, ferocious dog, sea otter and a hawk is no easy task! So its lunch time now and gwions about to buy me a…

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Added by Michael Aubin on March 24, 2010 at 3:11 — 4 Comments

ACTORS WANTED FOR SHORT STUDENT FILM NEWPORT

We are film students… Continue

Added by Ash Whitfield on March 24, 2010 at 2:26 — No Comments

BEAUTIFUL BRAZIL 22ND MARCH FIRST DAY

HAVING SUCH AN AMAZING TIME IN BRAZIL, MY FIRST DAY I SPENT TIME WITH NOS DO MORRO THEATRE COMPANY, THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SO GIFTED. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME IMAGES OF A PRODUCTION THAT THEY PERFORMED FOR US OF THEIR TAKE OF ROMEO AND JULIET.…

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Added by Genaya Parris on March 24, 2010 at 0:00 — 3 Comments

Day 23.1 - Gregynog - Lidice

The last part of the first day of the conference is spent in small groups generating research proposals and questions. The subject of the project is the 1943 Propaganda film Silent Village. Our group is charged with the task of generating a research methodology and three questions using 'Place' as a starting point for research.

Andrew applies his extensive research skills and uses his Iphone to access…

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Added by Dr Tom Payne on March 23, 2010 at 10:12 — 1 Comment