It’s been just over a week since the last performance of ‘The Gathering’ and I’m really missing the daily walk up the mountain and seeing the beautiful landscape of Nant Gwynant. I’ve had a week to reflect on my experiences, the production, the reviews, and friends and family’s response to the show.

Being an emerging director on a production is like being on a rollercoaster ride – it’s exiting, fun, uncomfortable and frustrating. All at different times. As an emerging director you are a part of creative journey but you are not in the driving seat. And for someone that is used to being in control it proved a restrictive journey at times, but saying that a very valuable and essential journey to take. I would like to thank the actors on ‘The Gathering’ for their friendship and company on the journey and watching them work and respond to challenges has been a massive learning curve for me.

My three weeks working as an Emerging Director on ‘The Gathering’ has been a time I will never forget. A time where I have learned so much on all sort of different levels. It has given me time to reflect on my own work, how others work, my own technique of working with actors and non professional actors, how to make a community element an integral and natural part of a show, and not to worry to much about what people might think and how that can stifle things.  

As a production ‘The Gathering’ was a stunning concept and vision by the Director Lousie Ann Wilson – it celebrated rural life on the mountain in a beautiful way. The highlights of the performance for me was walking up to the sound of the trumpeters high on the mountain accompanied by the calling of the shepherds, and then Deiniolen Silver Band playing hymns at Gladstone rock with the dark outlines of the shepherds and dogs on each side of the mountain. A magical theatrical experience.

Working with NTW has been a great and positive experience. The production team and crew work so hard and anyththing is possible – nothing is impossible. Moving a mountain maybe? They even ensured warm sunny weather in September, sounds in rocks, red carpet on mountain and a live streaming of the last performance on the internet from the edge of Snowdon.

It has also been a privileged to spend time at the National Trust owned farm at Hafod y Llan with Arwyn Owen and the shepherds there. Their input, energy and their proud view on the production has made ‘The Gathering’ for me a very special and unforgettable production.  Art and life working in harmony.  What really thrilled and exited me was the Welsh and rural audiences positive and mixed response to the show. One thing for sure is that  North Wales audiences and Welsh language audiences are committed, ready and eagerly waiting to experience the next unique Welsh theatrical experience.   

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