The Joy of Taking a Risk

In 2008, Theatr Iolo was one of a few companies in Wales to receive the Beacon Award for Excellence from the Arts Council of Wales. The award opened up new possibilities, and more importantly, it allowed the Company to take some risks. To work with new people... to create opportunities... to explore theatre from different perspectives... to research new projects... to make contact, share stories and explore ideas with people at the cutting edge of creating theatre for children. In short, it has allowed us to take risks. Any entrepreneurial business knows the importance of taking risks.

Exploring Theatre through Dance

Theatr Iolo has been working with Jem Treays, himself a Creative Wales Award Winner, to direct Am I Dreaming?, a dance theatre production for children aged 9+. Jem first carried out research, exploring ideas around Japanese ghost stories with dancers Deborah Light (also a Creative Wales Award winner), Beth Powlesland and Lara Ward, and Composer Antony Lamb supported by the Theatr Iolo team.

The result is a refreshingly unique production that has embraced the ideas of the director, the three dancers and storytelling style of Theatr Iolo. Schools have taken up the opportunity to see a professional dance theatre production at St Donats Arts Centre, Barry Memorial Hall, Riverfront Arts Centre or Chapter Arts Centre, after the children have taken part in storytelling and dance workshops that explore their own dreams.

New Artists, New Explorations, New Projects

The Beacon Award also supports the development of new directors and writers for children’s theatre, to share skills and nurture the future of the sector.

Adele Thomas and Dafydd James (writer of the acclaimed “My Name is Sue” and Sherman Cymru’s “Llwyth”), who are creating exciting and highly praised productions for adults, worked with Iolo to explore the serious and darker side of The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Anderson. Working with three performers, they explored the tale in context with stories from life on the streets in Swansea today.

Director Sarah Bickerton and performer Cari Barley are creating a one-person show in Welsh and English following a desire to look at the choices they are making at the beginning of their careers. Beginning with workshops at Ysgol Plasmawr and Ysgol Glantaf, they explored the aspirations and fears of people just a few years younger than themselves and worked with Theatr Iolo to write the first scenes of a new play.

Sita Calvert-Ennals is exploring scenes of “The Magic Toyshop” by Angela Carter with writer Alan Harris and three performers. Holding rehearsals in an empty shop in Cardiff, the artists are able to create a unique environment.

Lucy Rivers has been working on Daniel Morden’s version of a traditional story, “Mary Maid of the Mill”. She will be working with a writer, actors and musicians to seek a unique and vibrant storytelling style with music.

Now, in summer 2010, like all arts organisations in Wales, we are waiting for the same news – to know how deep the cuts will be and the effect they will have on accessibility of arts experiences in our communities. It is important to invest in new artists, allowing them to grow and take risks. But it is equally important to have an infrastructure that supports them.

Ends

For more information, contact Wendy York on info@theatriolo.com