Review of Theatr na n'Og from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

Theatr na n'Og

Theatr na n'Og- the Sinking of the Arandora Star , Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea , September 29, 2011

IT is far too long since I have seen a dramatic production of this quality, with not a weak spot in its tight weave at all.

And since the piece was made to measure primarily for school pupils I was surprised to find it pack such an intense emotional wallop.

Four actors took on all the roles in the story, told by Lina (Lynwen Haf Roberts) a daddy's girl whose father Guido (Rhys Saunders) is dragged from his Mumbles cafe by his former dominoes partner PC Dai Evans (Dafydd Rhys Evans) to be taken off on the ill-fated ship to an internment camp.

The piece pin-balled from heart-tugging emotional moments to broad, winning comedy — thanks largely to the deft physical comedy skills of Dafydd Rhys Evans — to gripping and tense drama.

Twenty-one-year-old Lynwen Haf Roberts captured the ebullience and vulnerability of 14-year-old Lina beautifully, while Rhys Saunders and Ruth Lloyd as her parents both put in exceptional performances.

With many in South Wales — some among last night's audience — having their own tales of the Arandora Star disaster, of grandparents and parents who were scarred by the event, the task of collating their experiences and creating a piece of theatre which did them justice was never going to be easy.

But director Phylip Harries and co-writers Geinor Styles and Mali Tudno Jones have created a heartfelt, fluent and beautiful piece of work.

Reviewed by: Kate Clarke, South Wales Evening Post

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There are 34 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (11 April 2024)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (14 December 2023)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (13 December 2023)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (04 August 2022)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (28 October 2019)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (05 November 2018)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (21 October 2018)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (18 November 2017)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (10 March 2016)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Various children of Dens Rd primary Dundee (30 March 2012)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by East Anglian Daily Times (07 March 2012)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Gruffudd Owen i Barn (05 September 2011)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (20 October 2009)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (18 October 2009)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (18 December 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (03 December 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Adam Somerset (28 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (22 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (19 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Jim Mayer (16 November 2008)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (22 September 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (03 May 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (25 April 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (15 April 2006)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Eiry Miles (Gwefan BBC Cymru) (16 November 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Western Mail, Kay Shipton (22 July 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Sue Lewis, Tivy-Side Advertiser (16 March 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by David Adams (25 February 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Dafydd Meirion (22 February 2005)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 September 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Elin Wyn Davies. (BBC ar lein) (04 August 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams (28 February 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Western Mail (17 February 2003)
Theatr na n'Og- reviewed by Graham Williams, South Wales Evening Post, (13 October 2001)

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