The Dark Philosophers has been another critical success for National Theatre Wales with some
fantastic reviews and
audience feedback. But of course it wouldn't be a National Theatre Wales show if there weren't a lot of different opinions and passionate ideas about what could have been done differently, or more so, or should always be done this way from now on, or....
It would be great to hear thoughts and opinions and questions on this forum. Some of the questions I'm interested in hearing opinions on are these:
- I chose a physical theatre company to work with us on this adaptation because I felt they would find surprising and engaging ways to tell these larger-than-life stories, and because I felt that a physical approach would bring out the universal elements in these very Welsh tales. What do you think of that choice of a physical approach?
- The piece was staged in a very 'ensemble' style, with actors playing all sorts of roles - young, old, male, female, even goats! Did that add to the experience or did it become confusing?
- We chose to mix a lot of different stories - particularly at the beginning - in an attempt to create a sense of Gwyn Thomas's fictional world. Did that work?
- We also put a 'Gwyn Thomas' character into the mix. What was your feeling about that character - and the choice to use a mask and a very playful, physical style in portraying 'the spirit of Gwyn Thomas?
- We are thinking about touring this show. Do you think it would work on tour, and if so, where to?
These are just some of my questions. You probably have plenty of your own too. It would be great to hear your thoughts.