“The lyricism of the text reaffirms James’s status as one of Wales’s most exciting playwrights . . . undeniably reassuring about community, progress and the future.” **** The Guardian
“A provocative and compelling play that made me laugh, made me cry and made me think. Shifting between English and Cymraeg without missing a linguistic beat, it was also the most inclusive Welsh-language work I had ever experienced.” WalesOnline
Following a world premiere at Sherman Theatre in March 2020, the national tour was cancelled due to the COVID crisis. Now, two years on, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Sherman Theatre are delighted to be working together once again to bring this standout production and life-affirming play back to audiences across Wales.
Tylwyth is witty and compelling. It reunites the much-loved characters of the award-winning Llwyth, a decade on from that Welsh-language theatrical phenomenon. Taking an irreverent look at love, family and friendship, it is a challenging, sharp-witted commentary on contemporary Welsh life, following a group of gay friends living in Cardiff.
“Audiences who remember the original will not be disappointed – the gang’s all here! – and yet . . . Tylwyth feels like a new journey with startling narrative arcs.” Nation.Cymru
This 2022 staging of Tylwyth sees the return of nearly all its 2020 cast, including Simon Watts (who played Gethin in S4C’s long-running Pobol y Cwm, and who appeared most recently in Yr Amgueddfa); Danny Grehan (whose stage career has included numerous productions by the late Michael Bogdanov and his Wales Theatre Company), and Michael Humphreys (who has featured in productions by theatre companies such as Tangled Feet, Motherlode, Black Rat and National Theatre Wales). Simon, Danny and Michael also featured in the original production of Llwyth back in 2010. Joining them once more will be Arwel Davies (who currently plays Eifion in Pobol y Cwm).
“Beautifully drawn characters are brought to life by an outstanding cast.’’ Buzz Magazine
Arwel Gruffydd, Artistic Director of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, who directed the production in 2020 as well as the original production of Llwyth, will direct this re-staging.
Arwel Gruffydd said: “I’m delighted that we’re able at last to re-stage this show, whose run in 2020 was so sadly cut short due to COVID. I’m thrilled that Theatr Gen will be co-producing once more with Sherman Theatre, as it was during my time as Associate Director at the Sherman that I first directed Llwyth, all those years ago. Of all the theatre productions I’ve directed, Llwyth, undoubtedly, is the one that had the most impact. It was a turning point in my career, as well as something of a ‘moment’ in the wider context of Welsh-language theatre, it could be said. I cannot wait to get back into the rehearsal room with these amazing characters that Daf has created, and to share with audiences across Wales the latest instalment of the wondrous story that is their eventful and colourful lives. Tylwyth celebrates Welsh identity, and gives it a good old shake-up too; but, as did Llwyth, it does so with real emotion, with joy and tears, and most of all, with love . . . oh, and with a song or two thrown in for good measure! Hold on to your hats!”
Daf James is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, composer, performer and Sherman Theatre Associate Artist. Llwyth – Daf’s first full-length play – “pioneered a bold new Welsh-language theatrical vernacular,” which “changed the landscape of Welsh-language theatre forever.” (The Guardian/Contemporary Welsh Plays). He is currently working on a major new TV drama and a film adaptation of On the Red Hill by Mike Parker.
Daf James said: “Llwyth was such an important play for me, both personally and politically. I never dreamed that it would get the response it did, or that it would enjoy such longevity! Since that play, Welsh and gay politics have changed a great deal, as have I since becoming a dad. So I felt compelled to write a second part to Llwyth, responding to some of those changes. Tylwyth is inspired by personal experience, but it is also part of a wider cultural narrative that continues to evolve. It’s truly an honour to have this opportunity to share this story with fans of the original play, as well as with new audiences.”
Julia Barry, Executive Director of Sherman Theatre, said: “We are thrilled to be working once again with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru to co-produce and tour Tylwyth. Daf, who is one of the Sherman’s Associate Artists, has written an extraordinary play that looks at the universal issues facing contemporary society in Wales today, viewed through the lens of this group of friends who we were first introduced to in Llwyth. Tylwyth is a significant addition to the canon of Welsh-language plays and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with audiences across Wales.”
Full tour dates and venues can be seen below. Tickets will be on sale at most venues from 10 February 2022.
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
26 – 30 September 2022
Ffwrnes, Llanelli
5 – 7 October 2022
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
11 October 2022
Galeri, Caernarfon
14 & 15 October 2022
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
18 & 19 October 2022
Hafren, Newtown
21 October 2022
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan
25 October 2022
Pontio, Bangor
28 & 29 October 2022