National Theatre Wales Community2024-03-28T15:55:05ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddockhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2986247443?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=critical-chinwag&user=19k0777zpcqwb&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMy Body Welsh - Critical Chinwag @Galeri Caernarfon 26.1.17tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2017-01-19:3152760:Topic:2620482017-01-19T13:01:45.467ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
(Originally posted on Rachel Risen's blog pages on January 19th 2017)<br />
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Would you like the chance to see a piece of current theatre for free and join a group of us in the bar afterwards for a chat about it?<br />
<br />
Critical Chinwag is a really fun way to get a bit more out of theatre, and National Theatre Wales TEAM are supporting us to run one of these at Galeri Caernarfon next week around the fantastic one-man show 'My Body Welsh'.<br />
All you have to do is get in touch with me and say you'd like to join…
(Originally posted on Rachel Risen's blog pages on January 19th 2017)<br />
<br />
Would you like the chance to see a piece of current theatre for free and join a group of us in the bar afterwards for a chat about it?<br />
<br />
Critical Chinwag is a really fun way to get a bit more out of theatre, and National Theatre Wales TEAM are supporting us to run one of these at Galeri Caernarfon next week around the fantastic one-man show 'My Body Welsh'.<br />
All you have to do is get in touch with me and say you'd like to join us. We only have a limited number of tickets so be quick! If you'd like to come but are unsure about how to get there, please let me know that too... Then come along next week, watch, enjoy, join our chinwag and write up a short blog style piece for us!<br />
<br />
I've taken part in a few myself and enjoyed them so much I'm hosting this one.<br />
My Body Welsh is a great bit of innovative storytelling - and much more besides. You don't need to be a welsh speaker to understand it either. So come and see for yourself - Thursday 26th January Light Waves Dark Skiestag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2016-12-08:3152760:Topic:2604512016-12-08T10:15:53.826ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
Here's my review of We Made This' Light Waves Dark Skies:<br />
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<a href="http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blogs/critical-chinwag-review-light-waves-dark-skies">http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blogs/critical-chinwag-review-light-waves-dark-skies</a>
Here's my review of We Made This' Light Waves Dark Skies:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blogs/critical-chinwag-review-light-waves-dark-skies">http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blogs/critical-chinwag-review-light-waves-dark-skies</a> Can Yr Adar/ Birdsong, Theatr Mwldantag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2016-11-07:3152760:Topic:2596522016-11-07T13:46:42.293ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
<p>I was curious to see this performance, and a little unconvinced that it would work. A bilingual fusion of soul folk and jazz to tell the tale of a Welsh rainforest (is there such a thing?) seemed a stretch of artistic ability. My apprehensions were unfounded, as the performers were a delight and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. <br></br><br></br>Kizzy Crawford was well cast, with her effortless melodies as pure as birdsong. Sickeningly talented, really, she was an enchanting presence on stage.…</p>
<p>I was curious to see this performance, and a little unconvinced that it would work. A bilingual fusion of soul folk and jazz to tell the tale of a Welsh rainforest (is there such a thing?) seemed a stretch of artistic ability. My apprehensions were unfounded, as the performers were a delight and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. <br/><br/>Kizzy Crawford was well cast, with her effortless melodies as pure as birdsong. Sickeningly talented, really, she was an enchanting presence on stage. As a Welsh learner, I appreciated the opportunity to hear Welsh lyrics, and found Kizzy to be most authentic when she was singing in Welsh. The ensemble also had their own characters and personalities which came through their portrayal of the forest and its wildlife, and I was entertained by their efforts in their own right. Everyone on stage seemed to enjoy themselves as much as the audience. I may now be more adventurous in what I am willing to go to see at the theatre.</p>
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<p></p> Critical Chinwag - LIGHT WAVES DARK SKIES - 30th NOVEMBER at CHAPTER ARTS CENTREtag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2016-11-05:3152760:Topic:2592852016-11-05T14:50:03.642ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
Hello! It's that time again... Yes, it's Critical Chinwag! So do come and join me for TEAM's always popular social and review event.<br />
<br />
This time I'm very excited to be hosting the Critical Chinwag for We Made This' production Light Waves Dark Skies.<br />
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Light Waves Dark Skies is a new work by We Made This, exploring the beauty and power of light and water, and our place in the universe amongst the stars.<br />
<br />
Two parents pack up their lives and drive away from the roaring sea that stole their child. To…
Hello! It's that time again... Yes, it's Critical Chinwag! So do come and join me for TEAM's always popular social and review event.<br />
<br />
This time I'm very excited to be hosting the Critical Chinwag for We Made This' production Light Waves Dark Skies.<br />
<br />
Light Waves Dark Skies is a new work by We Made This, exploring the beauty and power of light and water, and our place in the universe amongst the stars.<br />
<br />
Two parents pack up their lives and drive away from the roaring sea that stole their child. To escape the memories that water stirs, they flee inland and look to the night sky, seeking solace in the darkness. But with every salty tear they shed, the sea calls them back. They can’t escape.<br />
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Two parents trying to cope by starting again; but as memories come flooding back, emotions swell and relationships get caught in the undertow.<br />
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Doesn't that sound intriguing? I'm really excited to see the work and discuss it with a few likeminded souls.<br />
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There's more on the show here: <a href="http://www.wemadethis.org.uk">www.wemadethis.org.uk</a><br />
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We’ll be going to the performance at Chapter Arts Centre on 30th November 2016 at 8pm.<br />
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I’m really pleased to be hosting this Chinwag - it's my first as host so please be gentle with me! (I'll be wearing my TEAM hoodie so I'll be easy to spot after the performance.)<br />
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So... What's the deal?<br />
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In return for a FREE ticket and a post show drink, Critical Chinwag participants agree to meet in the Chapter bar after the performance and have an informal chinwag about the production. After that we ask that you tweet and/or blog about the experience and continue the discussion here on the NTW Community website page no later than two days after the performance.<br />
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You need to be a TEAM member to apply for a ticket, so if you haven’t already done so set up a profile on NTW Community here: <a href="http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/">http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/</a><br />
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To book your seat email: team@nationaltheatrewales.org<br />
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We only have a small number of tickets for this show so it’s first-come, first-served. The deadline is Friday 28th November 2016.<br />
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If you’ve been to a Critical Chinwag recently, perhaps you’d like to encourage a friend or two who haven’t been along before to apply for tickets? It’s relaxed, informal & a great way to see some theatre for FREE!<br />
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Hope to see you there!<br />
<br />
Tom Hitag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2015-10-13:3152760:Topic:2370092015-10-13T12:48:04.501ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
In my opinion I think the show was amazing<br />
Really I like the idea of transaction to Walsh language and the actors were proficient
In my opinion I think the show was amazing<br />
Really I like the idea of transaction to Walsh language and the actors were proficient Yuri - August 012tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2015-10-10:3152760:Topic:2365902015-10-10T13:48:29.562ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
Friday night, I had the pleasure of watching August 012 latest offering - 'Yuri'. I had no pre-conceived ideas about the production and I'm so pleased for that. It made being thrown in the colourful and chaotic world of Adele and Patrick even more entertaining.<br />
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Visually, the show is outstanding and I loved the lighting design. Everything came together with this show in a such a bold, heightened, chaotic, bright way with Mathilde Lopez at the helm. For me, the gem was Dafydd James' adaptation…
Friday night, I had the pleasure of watching August 012 latest offering - 'Yuri'. I had no pre-conceived ideas about the production and I'm so pleased for that. It made being thrown in the colourful and chaotic world of Adele and Patrick even more entertaining.<br />
<br />
Visually, the show is outstanding and I loved the lighting design. Everything came together with this show in a such a bold, heightened, chaotic, bright way with Mathilde Lopez at the helm. For me, the gem was Dafydd James' adaptation which was superb. An adaptation of a script that was so current and brilliantly funny. The cast (Carys Eleri, Ceri Murphy and Guto Wynne Davies) were excellent and gave memorable performances.<br />
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A wonderfully chaotic night of entertainment, that I highly recommend.<br />
All I want to do now is head back to Chapter and see the Welsh language version. Critical Chinwag - Yuritag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2015-10-10:3152760:Topic:2364832015-10-10T13:31:42.277ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">As soon as I entered the Studio at Chapter Arts Centre where ‘Yuri’ was being performed, I was captivated. The colourful set brightened up what would normally be a dark drama studio, and I was immediately drawn to Carys Eleri in the role of Adele. Usually when I go to see a theatre play, many audience members would usually be chatting to the person sat next to them before the show starts, but not this time. Carys Eleri’s preparation…</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">As soon as I entered the Studio at Chapter Arts Centre where ‘Yuri’ was being performed, I was captivated. The colourful set brightened up what would normally be a dark drama studio, and I was immediately drawn to Carys Eleri in the role of Adele. Usually when I go to see a theatre play, many audience members would usually be chatting to the person sat next to them before the show starts, but not this time. Carys Eleri’s preparation for the evening ahead was a great way to draw the attention of the viewers in this audience involved theatre piece.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Yuri is story of a couple who can’t have children of their own, so instead adopt or technically kidnap a teenage boy of their own. But who is Yuri? Who knows?</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Despite this being a comedy, it takes on the sensitive issue of a woman who wants what she can’t have, a child of her own. Carys Eleri’s brilliant portrayal of Adele shows a woman with a desperate need to care and nurture, a mother’s instinct that she clearly has and wants to express, so goes as far as creating a make belief child for herself in Yuri.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Acting opposite Carys Eleri was the equally talented Ceri Murphy in the role of husband Patrick, who seems to be the only character that has any sense of rational thought. While Adele has clearly lost sense of reality, Patrick has to come to terms with a new life, having a dumb stranger living in his home, but eventually near the end, grows to love, as Yuri begins to see him as a father figure, much to the jealousy of Adele, as it is her who has craved love and affection from a child.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">In the role of Yuri was the young Guto Wynne Davies who had a high level of concentration throughout. Despite only having a few words to say near the end, Guto Wynne Davies was an equal member of the cast, playing a lost individual with baby like qualities, learning of the new world around him.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Overall, it was an enjoyable production with many laughs. A piece of work that all the cast and crew should be proud of. Special recognition should go to director Mathilde Lopez for creating a wonderful theatre experience.</font></p>
<p></p> "This Is How We Die", Chapter 23.6.15tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2015-06-24:3152760:Topic:2296472015-06-24T12:01:44.517ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
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<p>A great night popping my Chinwag cherry at Chapter, thanks to all involved!</p>
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<p>Christopher Brett Bailey is a phenomenon. I had issues with the production, which I will come to later, but none at all with the performance. Words like "mesmerizing" and "captivating" are devalued currency in theatre reviews, but sorry, drive; I ain't got nothing smaller. Bailey's variations of pace and power and his precise control of the margins made for something truly special. The content…</p>
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<p>A great night popping my Chinwag cherry at Chapter, thanks to all involved!</p>
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<p>Christopher Brett Bailey is a phenomenon. I had issues with the production, which I will come to later, but none at all with the performance. Words like "mesmerizing" and "captivating" are devalued currency in theatre reviews, but sorry, drive; I ain't got nothing smaller. Bailey's variations of pace and power and his precise control of the margins made for something truly special. The content - much of it strong - is in truth secondary to the delivery for much of the piece. One moment he's enunciating clear, graphic imagery that lingers in the mind; the next, hopping from one half-formed thought to the next through torrents of concatenated bon-mots, with no apparent destination but the journey itself. And it's great fun to hear, either way. Part performance poetry, part storytelling, and part stand-up, it's all killer and no filler.</p>
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<p>As we say in this Buzzfeed age; what happens next will blow your mind!</p>
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<p>Had the piece ended when Bailey walked out of the light, my applause would have been heartfelt and rapturous. As it was, ten minutes or so later I was applauding out of politeness and relief. Music begins, soft at first but seemingly stuck in a loop, echoing Bailey's frequent use of repetition and pregnant pause to create tension, perhaps challenging us to decide for ourselves when the show is over? But the sound builds and builds, into what eventually becomes a pure physical assault on the audience. Deliberately excessive volume and controlled feedback noise wash over us in the darkness. There is no warning of this, and while I found it merely uncomfortable, several other audience members were in clear distress. To me, tricks like this are the worst kind of artistic conceit. There is a fine line between challenging an audience and insulting them. I felt that line had been crossed. A great shame, not least because I've now written a negative paragraph about the final 10 minutes larger than the positive one about the first hour.</p>
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<p>So, back to that first hour, then. Quite, quite brilliant. Dense and exhausting, even the most rapt listener will leave plenty behind to revisit should they watch the show again. I should like to myself; but I would have no compunction about retiring to the bar when the music starts. I wish I'd known that at the start.</p> "Blavatsky's Tower"" 08/04/15tag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2015-04-10:3152760:Topic:2241552015-04-10T08:20:32.634ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
<p>"Blavatsky's Tower", written by Moira Buffini and presented by 3 Crate Productions at Chapter Arts Centre was a very engaging and entertaining piece of theatre. Despite what may have been potentially daunting subject matter, social isolation, there was a good dose of humour, engaging characters which were very well played and a good pace which kept my interest throughout. I admit I was pleasantly surprised that there were NO moments at which I felt bored or confused. Why I should have…</p>
<p>"Blavatsky's Tower", written by Moira Buffini and presented by 3 Crate Productions at Chapter Arts Centre was a very engaging and entertaining piece of theatre. Despite what may have been potentially daunting subject matter, social isolation, there was a good dose of humour, engaging characters which were very well played and a good pace which kept my interest throughout. I admit I was pleasantly surprised that there were NO moments at which I felt bored or confused. Why I should have expected to be either I don't know but I found myself on an enjoyable journey from beginning to end.</p>
<p>The peculiar personality traits and strange behaviour of our isolated family members in the tower, I felt, became more recognisably normal in many ways as the piece went on. Was this because we became more accustomed to their ways or because we began to see more resemblance with people we meet in the real world everyday? It was certainly interesting to contemplate.</p>
<p>Overall I really enjoyed the production and had lovely time meeting fellow Chinwaggers for our discussion afterwards. Although I was sad that I had to leave our Chinwagging session early to catch a train. Thanks to everyone who came along and took part.</p> Blavatsky's Tower at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff April 8-11thtag:community.nationaltheatrewales.org,2015-04-10:3152760:Topic:2241532015-04-10T06:17:46.688ZSam Ruddockhttps://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profile/SamRuddock
<p><span style="color: black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">To use the word in its literal sense, this play was most entertaining. It held ones attention on serious issues because the writer and performers knew how to present them with deft humour, keeping you wondering how a plot based on delusion and dysfunctional family relations was going to work out.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If the play’s intention was to show the…</font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">To use the word in its literal sense, this play was most entertaining. It held ones attention on serious issues because the writer and performers knew how to present them with deft humour, keeping you wondering how a plot based on delusion and dysfunctional family relations was going to work out.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If the play’s intention was to show the effect of social isolation on deranging family life, the characters were already predisposed to abnormal behaviour, showing for example signs of Tourette’s and Asperger syndrome. The visiting doctor was the ‘normal’ voice for the audience to relate to as the other characters behaved in bizarre ways, for example gagging, tying up or pouring water over each other to douse unruly passions.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The focus of the action was the dying of Dada, the father. The play’s central irony was that although he was blind, through accident rather than design he had won an award for Blavatsky's Tower as a 'visionary' architect. There was no furniture in the apartment other than shelves full of books, the one chiefly featured being Paradise Lost, the first to be burned in one of the family’s desperate bids to purge their doomed lives. When a chair was introduced into the household, each character was thrown into relief as they reacted to such intrusion in different ways. I liked the use of other symbolism too, e.g the ornamental plant that would not bear fruit, a metaphor perhaps for the award-winning tower housing people who could only have incestuous relations.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Living on the top floor to be close to Heaven as possible, there was tension throughout that someone would throw themselves off the roof. As tragicomedy I believe Blavatsky's Tower worked. While not pretending the family situation was anything but desperate, the play was full of humorous dialogue and well-drawn characters that sparked against each other in amusing as well as abrasive ways. The actors all performed well, showing off to good effect a script that crackled with good lines. There was just one piece of humorous action which might be seen as predictable, cod even, as the son and one daughter are attempting to revive Dada on his deathbed. I would be interested in whether you think this worked so after you’ve been to see it, tonight or tomorrow, why not post a reply?</font></span></p>
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